Cutting mat
 

My cutting mat does not feel smooth anymore. I rarely soaked it and used it for many years. Yes, I did get my monies worth, but would still like to restore it. I just soaked it for a few hours and it feels a little better, but still not smooth. Lately, I have been having difficulty cutting nicely and my roatary blades are becoming dull faster.. Is there any help for my mat, or is it time to throw in the towel and buy a new one?

I would say yes time for a new one. I have done the soaking thing with less than desired results. Like you I have started to dull my blades at a faster rate because the mat has worn. I am starting to think even the best of mats has a life span shorter than they used to be.

You could cut it in half or in smaller pieces and use it for smaller jobs. I did read somewhere there is a scrubber thingy such as a pot scrubber that takes the high stuff off. If it were mine, I would try to sand a piece of it and see what happens. If all fails, just cut it up for in the bottom of purses.

I, too, was going to suggest using the flip side. I don't measure by the lines on my mat so this worked out fine for me for a number of years longer before I had to replace mine.

I have a little ( tool) from Nancy's Notions, very inexpensive, it is like a smooth sanding disc with a handle. I've been using it for 10+ years. It works great to smooth my mat. Sometimes I am cutting wools, or silks which seem really hard on the mat, I just grab the smoother & fix it. ( and I've tried other products, green scrub pads, sand paper, ...nothing has worked as well as that disc)

This is is intriguing. I turn my mat over to cut batting and I flip it around once in a while so I'm cutting from different sides, but I still have the faint rough cutting lines. I might have to explore this option.

A smoothing honing stone works great. I found one in DH's tool box. I stick used mats behind my bookshelf to use for whatever. The whatever has never come so I have many old mats stuck back there.

The self healing mats are great but even then after a while when one cuts into the "scars", they don't do so well.

I bought one of those, or maybe something similar, and it just scraped my mat up. I was really disappointed. I rubbed the lines off of an area with that thing, and it didn't really do much about the slices I was trying to smooth. I ended up replacing the mat and I don't use that thing anymore. Maybe I was doing something wrong? This is the one I have: http://smile.amazon.com/Colonial-Nee...s=mat+smoother
The reviews all say it doesn't harm the lines, but that wasn't my experience at all. Maybe I rubbed too hard? Maybe my mat is weird? (I use Alvin mats)

Now when I get slices I rub at them with a canvas scrap to get all the extra fibers out of the slice, and then I lay a warm damp hand towel over the area and weigh it down a little. I have a pretty large mat so soaking it is a HUGE pain, but spot-dampening like that seems to do an OK job helping it heal.

For you, OP, I think your mat may have had it. If you can flip it that'll give you a lot more life out of it, but if you're line-dependent, it's a good time to look for mats on sale or to put one on your Christmas list!

Glad I looked at this post. I have two mats that are getting rough. Will turn them over and see what happens. Thanks.

I picked up a mat smoothing tool at a quilt show and it works like a charm. I've had my present mat for about ten years and am still pleased with it. Tartan's idea of spinning it around and using the back side its a good one too. Funny, the cutting mat is one of the most important parts of preparing for a project and yet I rarely give it a thought.

Here are a few uses for those old mats:

They make great bottoms for purses or bags you are making
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I've cut up several (that got worped) into smaller pieces. Cut a piece of thin plywood the same size as the mat. On one side of the plywood layer a piece of the stuff you put into pot holders to keep the heat from burning you (can't remember the name of the stuff) and a piece of cotton batting (optional - if you leave the batting out you can iron seams flatter), then cut a piece of Duck fabric or some other heavy duty cotton fabric, big enough to cover the board and over lap to the other side by 3/4". Glue the fabric to the other side of board as smoothly as possible. Be sure to miter the corners so that you don't have a blob of fabric on the corners. Next, and finally, Glue the mat board to the side of the board you just glued the fabric to (make sure the other glue is dry before starting this step). Now you have a small ironing board on one side and a cutting board on the other side. Put the board something heavy and big enough to weight the whole board down until the glue is dried completely. I made mine about 9 X 11" and it fits perfectly in my sewing bag. It sits right along side of my sewing machine and keeps me from getting up and down all of the time to walk to the ironing board. I know it is more healthy to do the walking, however, I have arthritis and very little cartiledge in my knees, so walking is painful for me.
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Use one of the old mats for just cutting paper and the like with an old cutter and old blade. This saves the extra wear and tear on the mat you use for fabric.
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I know I had a few more things to do with old mats, but they seemed to have escaped my mind. The moment I hit "post" they'll pop back in, I'm sure.

I agree with Tartan. Use the back side of the mat and when it is finish, there are so many ways of repurposing that you can use your old mat for.

I went to an automotive part store and purchased the "spatula" if you will, that body putty is spread with. Works great and it's cheap.

Thank you for the tips I soaked it 2 times. The first did not do much, second time seemed to show improvement, but will try soaking for a 3rd time maybe even a forth.

I cut up and use my old mats for bottoms in the purses/totes I make. Helps not feel so guilty for having to buy a new mat!