Finally
 

A year ago my BF gave me a mushroom brush to clean my cutting mats with. I cleaned and moisturized my cutting mats and changed the blade in the favorite rotary cutter! That's why this is titled "Finally", only took a year.

I say better late than never! But I know it feels good to have that chore done!!

How do you clean and moisturizer? I never heard of that before.

Mine lays flat 99% of the time and I usually wipe it down each time after using it. I use a micro fiber cloth and a baby brush then a micro fiber rag. it's every bit 10 years old.

If you happened to buy one of the basket made in Africa from a quilt show vendor, those need to be remositerized too at least once a year. I spray mine with a water hose and let air dry. The baskets are made from living reeds and need moisture to no dry out and crack over the years.

Does this work on both the green mats and the white ones (JoAnn's)? Thanks for posting this info.

Absolutely, better late than never.

FYI--All baskets made from natural reed need a bit of moisture, that includes those pricey ones from "party" plans. I give mine a quick swish through tepid water and place them upside down to dry. The drying area should be out of sun and away from heat vents. Before quilting attacked me, I was a basket maker.

The white JoAnn mats are not self healing so soaking it won't have any effect though the brush cleaning should help clean out embedded fabrics.

I've had my mat for about 10 yrs now and don't do any of that. my sink is too small but I have a large shower, took the tub out and put a river rock base down. I can't stop up the shower floor. should I just pour or spray the mat with vinegar water?

I throw mine outside and hose it down, scrub it with a broom soap and vinegar and they are at least 20 years old and still going. when I don't needs the ruled lines, I turn the mat over and cut on the back, I just draw a straight line up and down and across, for when I need to line up. Oh if you are going to do this, make sure it's at sunset when no sun is in that spot lol....

I hate to be the one to tell you, but soaking does absolutely nothing for your mat except get it wet for a while. When it's all full of cutting grooves on one side, turn it over and start using the back. When that's shot, buy an new one. That's the truth on cutting mats.

That's right SB, I just hose mine down. If you change your blades often when needed, the mat will last longer and it's less stress on your wrist. Another tip, I don't know if I can explain this well. Don't hold your wrist and hand up when cutting. Hold you arm, like at you side, your elbow should be a 90degee angle, slide the blade forward, do not lift up you hand, like to get on top. It will cut so much better.

I have a basket made from palm fronds that's at least fifteen years old. Should I mist it?

I also do the yearly wetting on a hand caned chair (seat is caned) I have........and all my baskets...cheap and/or expensive......part of the spring cleaning ritual......