I have a problem with my cutting boards getting so marked from use that the rotary cutter skips spots. I kept thinking it was the blade but I am now thinking I may need a new board. They are so expensive, except when you have Joann's 50%, that there may be some way to rejeuvanate the board. Anyone with any suggestions? JANE100

Can you flip it over and use the back?

You can turn it over and use it on the back if you cut by the markings on your rulers.

Otherwise, you probably need a new board.

Flip it over and use the other side. Not marked but if you don't use the board markings you are good to go.

ROFL great minds think alike. when I hit reply there were no responses and now there are 3 all saying the same thing. :lol:

you must really press. my problem was ironing on top of it.. DUH.. warped the board beyond use of anything.

They really are expensive.. good luck.. have no idea but a new one.
:(

I do use the ruler girds on the cutting board along with those on ruler. I just try to switch to different locations on the mat when cutting & turn the board occassionally so that I'm not always cutting on the same lines. Kind of how I try to sleep in different location on my queen size mattress so that it does not get a sunken area in one place.

I am beginning to have the same problem. I think I will rotate mine 180 degrees so I can still use the inch markings. My current ruler isn't big enough some times.

After use, I clean my board, using a lint roller. Then I cover the board with a very wet bath towel (dripping wet) and leave it for a few hours. Then wipe dry. The board tends to self mend, and the cuts close up.

Those are good suggestions.

Sometimes, though, it is just plain worn out and one has to get a new one.

Thanks, I didn't think of turning it over.
JANEM100

you can soak the cutting board in water and white vinegar, use a soft brush (like a mushroom brush) let it soak for about an hour rinse and let dry makes it like new!!

That's an idea I hadn't heard of. I will try it.
Thanks
JANEM

WOW what an idea. I wil have to try it. Thanks JANEM100

I am guesing your cutting board is white! Go with the Olfa green one when the sale comes up again.

I don't know how old your cutting mats are but when you get a new one be sure to clean off all the lint-fabric-threads that get imbedded when you use your rotary cutter.

Using wet or damp cloth is good, but also bend the mat a bit to expose those bits that get imbedded and remove them.

I had my cutting mat for 8 yrs, using both sides, before I had to replace it. Taking even better care now.

Heard it on Fons and Porter

I got a Fiskas 24 x 36 double sided mat at walmart a couple of months ago for around $30. There is a grid on both sides.

I use a sticky roller for lint removal on my Olfa Mat and it does a great job at cleaning out the little cracks so it can mend itself. It is the green cutting mat by Olfa. Have had it for over 10 yrs.

Just had to replace my mat. I was just worn out :?

I TRY to use a different areas; also I recently replaced my smaller boards with the Fisker? two in one as they are gridded on both sides. I also like the way my cutter goes across this brand.

Sometimes your cutting board dries out. You can soak in the tub for a while and/or get a large towel soaking wet and wrap your cutting board up. Leave the towel on your board until the towel is completely dry. May rejuvenate your cutting board.

I am losing the grid lines on my cutting board but I don't want to replace it becasue I can't find the same size. Its a 30 x 36. I tried Joann's, on line, Blick's etc but no luck in that size. Based on what I saw here (BTW my Walmart has no fabric department) I am going to try to turn the board over and mark the lines with a Sharpie, then turn it back. Hopefully the lines will be crisp enough. Will let everyone know....

Before turning your mat over and using the other side, check first to be sure the reverse side is meant for cutting. Not all brands have a cutting surface on the back.

Also, in addition to the other tips mentioned for caring for your mat ... I use a mat smoothing stone to clean my mats after every project. And make sure the blade screw is tight on your rotary cutter, if you have that kind. A slightly loose blade will cut small grooves in your mat, just like a dull blade will.

Good luck!

Usually, cutting grooves that don't heal are caused by dull blades that force you to really have to put muscle into your rotary cutter. Cleaning your rotary cutter, making sure that you have not tightened the screw too much, and changing the blade frequently will save your arm/shoulder AND your mat. Good luck!

There is a product, I think mine is pink plastic, with an emery type stone on it. The stone is not rough, kind of smooth. I use it on my cutting board in a circular motion and it cleans the fabric out of the cuts and helps seal them back up. It doesn't affect the lines on it. I have had my cutting board over 10 years and still using it.

Some great suggestions here.
I alway's use the edge of my square ruler at a 45* angle to scrape away the lint and such from the cutting line. I also take the blade edge at a 45* angle and pull the snipits and such away from the ruler edge after I cut a piece of fabric. Just a habit and I don't get buildup too often. Usually buildup is from heavier fabrics like Fleece and denim for me. I also vary which cutting lines I use. That is: if the pattern calls for 10" of fabric I move the fabric edge to the 10" mark and cut on the 20" mark
I learned NOT to press on the board the hard way.
Alway's be sure your blade is sharp, if you really have to put some elbow grease into cutting, you either have arthritis or you have a dull blade.Change blades.
I actually use the green Olfa mats (I have three sizes) because the color is easier on my eyes, the cutting lines show up better for me, like the thickness of the board. I believe Quilt In A Day has them on sale right now at 45% off (or did earlier this week).

I was going to suggest the same thing! good luck - but flipping it over is an option too.

I was in Walmart yesterday, and I was amazed to see the notions are new and plenty!! They are now carrying the Fiskar boards!!! and very reasonable!! mine is sure wearing down as well and i do use the lines for a few things and try to move it in different ways and use the back often..
Check out the Notions in Walmart!

Yeah I was not going to use the reverse to cut on, I was going to draw the lines and flip the board back over. The groves aren't bothering me, but the lines are disappearing so its hard to see where I need to cut. I will take a look at the Olfa boards but I think they only had the 24 x 30 which is too small.

A couple of times a year I take my large mat (which is too big for my tub) over to my son's house. I tie it to a float line in his pool and let it soak 3 or 4 hours. This re-hydrates it and mends all those little cuts. While it is soaking I cover the top of his pool table and spray baste a quilt. Since he adopted Patrick 3 years ago the only thing he uses his pool table for is folding laundry. Isn't it amazing how your priorities change when you're a single parent :lol:

I had a Fiskar's mat from Walmart but one day I put a towel on to iron my fabric and well I worped it so bad. :( I have not been able to get a new one for almost a year. So no cutting since then.

I finally ordered a new mat yesterday an Omnigrid which is the same brand as my rullers. I hope I have good results with it, no more ironing on my mats though I now use the ironing board.

Eleanor Burns is having a 45% off sale on olfa matts.

All the suggestions for fixing are good. However, here's a tip for the future. Make sure you have a SHARP blade.....change it often. I've used the same mat for 2 yrs.....and it doesn't show the marks. If you have a dull blade, you push down harder and it makes the slits. This is not to say that you won't get marks/slits in the mat, but it will extend its life.

I have an olfa, self healing. I looked at the olfa site as well as information from this group. Self healing mats love water. Some have soaked theirs in tubs. I have a large Olfa, and I did not think my tub was large enough. I lay out a towel on my dining room table. A soft brush, such as vegetable brush. I use the kind that is used for washing dishes, that, the top can have some dish detergent put in it.
Anyway, I put a squirt of dish detergent in a bowl with distilled water, scrub my board down. Then go over it with clear distilled water. Let it dry, then use a cutting board smoother. Board is as good as new

If you have a cutting board that is no good and make purses, don't throw it away - cut it up for the bottoms as the baggie bottoms are sort of expensive and the cut up cutting board work just fine.

Maybe it needs cleaning. Use a scruffy pad and go all over it real hard. It might be that there is fabric lint in the groves. This needs to be done often if you do a lot of cutting. If that doesn't wwrok, then turn it over. Jan

Google cutting mats. You will find mats of all sizes available for general artwork, but they are the same kind of mats as we use. Some companies have them cheaper than JoAnn. That's how I'm buying my next one.

never never buy the white cutting board. Can't think of the name of mine, (on vacation right now) Just cutting one quilt made groves,, I was not happy. I did try water, and nothing seems to help it. grrrrr

I think I will try this!! I never knew cutting mats liked water!!

Just did a search and found Speedpress.com (for those that had the 30 x 36 mat like me, it looks like that was a Dritz/Prym product and I think Olfa took that line over)ANYWAY Speedpress has the green cutting mats with standard sizes but they will also do free custom sizes! Yippee! And they look price competitive. Here's the link: http://www.speedpress.com/products/2/2