I just cracked my cutting mat!

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06-21-2013, 04:05 AM

#21

mjhaess

Power Poster

Join Date: Aug 2011

Location: Charleston SC

Posts: 10,742

I did the same thing to my mat...Then low and behold, it broke again another place and I threw it out...A costly blunder on my part.

06-21-2013, 05:57 AM

#22

coopah

Super Member

Join Date: Dec 2011

Location: Horse Country, FL

Posts: 7,341

What about a metal drip pan for catching oil under vehicles? They are different sizes (DH says about 3 sizes available), made of metal, and would be deep enough for a cutting mat. They look like a big cookie sheet. You could find them at auto supply stores, or maybe even KMart or Target. Just an idea.

06-21-2013, 06:05 AM

#23

katesnanna

Super Member

Join Date: Aug 2010

Location: Brisbane, Australia

Posts: 3,453

I've heard of soaking mats but had never heard of mats cracking or splitting. Something new I've learned today.

06-21-2013, 06:14 AM

#24

BellaBoo

Power Poster

Join Date: Jan 2009

Location: Front row

Posts: 14,646

My biggest mat is 60" x 40". I throw my mats in our pool over night (the pump doesn't run at night) Get them out the next morning. Air dry them on the back porch floor out of the sun. A child's wading pool is big enough for most of the smaller mats but I can't keep my dog out of it when I have the mats in it. LOL

06-21-2013, 06:17 AM

#25

ShirlinAZ

Super Member

Join Date: Oct 2010

Location: Prescott Valley, AZ

Posts: 1,329

Every couple of weeks I mist my mat with the spray bottle when I shut down for the night and just let it soak until the next day. It's usually dry by the time I wake up in the morning, but if not it gets a quick wipe down with a towel. Mats definitely last longer with humidity. If you live in a humid climate you may not need to soak them as often, but the furnace and A/C will dry them out too so a little misting once in a while will help.

06-21-2013, 06:51 AM

#26

catmcclure

Super Member

Join Date: Jun 2010

Location: Bay Area near San Francisco

Posts: 1,213

Quote:

Originally Posted by IQ2

where do you soak it? My mat is 24x36 and my tub wouldn't fit it flat.

Plastic cloth on table or something to protect tabletop. Then soak a bathtowel and spread over the mat. Leave for several hours. Then remove towel and let mat dry.

06-21-2013, 06:58 AM

#27

littlebitoheaven

Senior Member

Join Date: Nov 2011

Location: Illinois/Wisconsin

Posts: 878

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOTTYMO

When you can afford a new one , cut this one into smaller mats. To take to class to use for small sections in other places etc. in the meantime. I found duck tape on the side you do not use for cutting and then soak. I use the bath. No one gives instructions on keeping them in tip top condition .ie how to clean when fluff in the cuts.

I have had this problem and found that an eraser does the trick. I found a very large (pink) eraser at the dollar store, approximately 4" x 2", which I will only use to clean my mats.

06-21-2013, 07:03 AM

#28

sulyle

Junior Member

Join Date: Mar 2010

Location: Central Florida

Posts: 242

I didn't even know that I should be doing this but I live in an area of high humidity so my mats have stayed relatively pliable. Still it couldn't hurt to give them a soak once a year. Can't wait to hear what DH says when he finds my olfa having a bubble bath. lol

06-21-2013, 08:15 AM

#29

Geri B

Super Member

Join Date: Jun 2011

Location: Illinois

Posts: 9,018

Quote:

Originally Posted by BellaBoo

The mat was dried out! Keep you self healing mats like new by soaking in room temp water over night and air dry. I give my mats a good soaking once a year.

Did not know that...thanks for the great hint....going to be "soaking" mats today as well as doing laundry.