If any of you buy a new mat try the Alvin type self healing cutting mat. They are also used by architects. You can get it in clear or green, mine is clear. The Alvin mat is not quite as hard as others I have used. I believe I bought mine from Amazon.com, but othe places on line sell them also. I have not changed my blade since January and it is still cutting good. The are about the same price as other mats. If I ever have to buy another mat it will be an Alvin. Doris 1334

You can renew your Olfa cutting mat. I don't know about the white one. Here is a link

http://tulip-patch.blogspot.com/2010...-olfa-mat.html

If you are doing cutting that is being measured by your ruler, consider turning over your green olfa mat and using the back. Both sides are good. Threre are some times when you need the grid for cutting, but often you do not. That way your mat may last twice as long. I've had mine for years. If you have an old one, don't throw it away, use the back.

My big problem was getting it home w/o having it bend. After having one bend (it was laid on top of groceries, very carefully so it was basically flat, but it was unusable when we got home (3 hours... we lived in the mountains). Next trip down my husband went into JoAnn's and told them we wanted a new one WITH THE BOX in which they are shipped to the store! They dug in the back room, found the box and gave it to us. Thank goodness they were 40% off. What an expensive lesson.

Can you use the back side of the mat?

I used some heavy duty kitchen shears that way I didn't dull some of my other scissors!

Washing it and giving it moisture helps to heal the groves. There are directions of how much soap and water to use, but I can't remember them.

I have a Olfa self-healing 18 x 24 inch mat which I love.

Since we're talking about cutting mats I'm reminded of an idea I saw posted on this board a few years ago. It's worth mentioning again as the price and quality of these products are both very good: Check out this website

http://www.draftingsteals.com/21713.html

Here's another product from the drafting supply website. This looks like it's not only safe but would be great for accuracy when cutting straight lines.

http://www.draftingsteals.com/21933.html

Joanns has those big mats on sale right now for half price..probably time to replace it...crafty_linda_b