Originally Posted by AlwaysQuilting
This is from
http://www.generations-quilt-pattern...tting-mat.html
OLFA Cutting Mats love moisture!
It is recommended that you soak your mat from time to time. Your self healing mat loves moisture.
To soak it, put your mat in a bathtub or large container (would have to be large so it can lay flat) and soak it for 15-20 in a solution of 1/4 cup white vinegar to every gallon of cool water. Let me repeat, cool water. Do this every so often to help extend its useful life.
Then use a squirt of mild dishwashing soap (Ivory) and clean the mat with a mushroom brush (soft is the key word here). The purpose of this gentle scouring is to remove the fibers that get trapped in the cuts marks preventing the cuts from "healing".
Keep 'em clean, keep 'em moist, keep 'em flat and NO heat. Your cutting mat is not a coffee cup coaster!
I think I'm going to give this a try. My large Olfa has been sitting in front of the sunny window for a year now and must surely be dried out. :oops: Thanks for the tip and the link. Jinnie