Thanks--I did the search and for some the smell never went away--they just returned it or threw it away. I don't know whether to try some of the suggestions or just take it back. I got a good deal--50% off plus additional 10% off coupon.
I never thought about looking at their website: Fiskar's suggestions from their website:
"My mat has a funny odor, what is this?
The odor is caused by the self-healing materials and sometimes the odor can be very strong. There are some tricks to get the odor out:
1. Wash the mat with a mild soap and let it air out. This may take a few weeks
2. Spray Febreeze on the mat and let is air out.
Store the mat in a sealed container with some coffee beans or some crumpled up newspaper. Those two items help absorb any odor."
I have lots of newspaper, so maybe I'll try that first.
Thank you for your help.
Marcia