How long should a cutting mat last?
 

Maybe I'm just really hard on my cutting mats, but they don't seem to last as long as I think they should for what I pay for them. How often do you all replace your mats?

I've been quilting maybe 8 years and replaced my mat once about a year ago.

Mine is 13 years old and is still fine. I use it almost daily. I do soak it in the bathtub occasionally.

I have had mine for years, is showing some wear mabe it need a good soak!

I've had mine for well over 10 years...
that reminds me. it's probably time for another good soak......

My favorites are Sew-Fit pinable, self healing. They are at least 20 yrs old!

Wow! Surprising comments! I have two opinions: Depends on what you are using it for - For example - I owned a quilt shop, and we rotary cut all of our fabrics - I switched out the mats about every 9 months. My home mat gets changed out every two years or so - I find that when it's newer, my blades last longer (saving me money) and my cutting/piecing is more precise. I also make a point of using both the front and back of my mat - they have the same surface on both sides - and I get very distracted by the lines, sometimes! I use the Olfa green mats, 24x36.... I also don't have a "permanent" sewing space, so my mat goes from flat in the closet to flat on the table quite frequently, so I risk warping it......

Glad I read this thread. Didn't know you were supposed to soak them.

Thank you!

I've had mine for over 20 years and just replaced it!!! I had tried soaking it and it didn't do any good!!! It just dried up and was icky!!!

I've had mine for about 6-7 years. Don't have any immediate plans to replace it. It is starting to get a bit worn, but not to where it is in need of replacement. It is a light blue 18 x 24 by June Taylor. I only use the side with the grid as the back is slick.

I've had my 24" x 36" for about 9 years. It's an olfa. I completely wore out a section where I do most of my cutting. Also has a very annoying warp on the side I use. I've turned it around, but the other side is just as bad. So I purchased a new one a few days ago. By Gingher. new technology supposed to last longer. We'll see.

I've never soaked mine, do you just put it in. Hot water?

so, how long do you think is not long enough? different mats have different (lives) and it depends on how much you use it- and how often you change to a new blade- whether or not you clean it, take care of it- the types of fabric you cut, and if you use it for things beyond a rotary cutter. I have one of the large 39" x 59" mats- in 10 years I have replaced it once- one of my local shops has the same one- they replace theirs every year. I have a mat cleaner- it is a small disc with a handle- from Nancy's Notions- with a very fine grit sanding stone- it cleans up and keeps it nice if I cut any fabrics that tend to stick to it- (like silks) also, you should not have to push hard on your cutter- if you find you have to apply pressure it's time for a new blade- if you change your blade as soon as you are not getting good cuts- notice you have to apply more pressure your mat will stay nice longer. I use mine A LOT! like every day- I feel I get my money's worth- even my small mats which I also use regularly hold up- my rotating mat gets used almost daily since I use it for applique a lot has held up - shows no sign of needing replacing in 5 years of use and counting

I do the same thing as RyansAmysmom. If you get a new one every two or three yrs your blades last longer. I also use the back of mine cause the ones are not somthing I use very often.

I've been using my two Dritz 36" x 36" white mats for over 30 years, sometimes both at once next to each other on my dining table and sometimes one gets far more use than the other. I do have a couple of the green Olfa's, but even though I've had them just as long I've only used them to take to classes. If the two Dritz mats ever die, I have no idea what I'll do.

I am just curious...what brand of cutting matts last 8-15-20 years? I must be REALLY hard on matts as they have not lasted that long at all. I do not soak them so maybe that would help.

I've had my green (Olfa?) mat for over 14 years. I do rotate occasionally so I'm not cutting pieces and blocks in the same spot all the time.

I've never soaked it in the tub....heck! I don't have time to soak ME in the tub! It's starting to show a little age (aren't we all) but it should last many more years.

Someone mentioned flipping the boards over....don't think I ever did that! Maybe I have a new board just waiting to be used!

Nan

I use my big mat daily. I do rotate my mats and turn them over occasionally. I prefer the solid side because I find the grid distracting for most cutting, so that side does tend to wear out faster. I use a scrubbie crocheted of nylon netting to clean my mat. Works better than anything else I've tried to get those teeny bits of thread that embed in the mat. I admit I probably don't change my blades as often a I should, although I do sharpen them frequently. I have worn through two smaller Olfa mats in about 3 or 4 years each. One of them I blame cutting felt. Right now I'm using one of those one-sided blue mats that isn't the self-healing kind because they cost less to replace. But I think it's harder on the blades than the softer ones. It's kind of a catch 22: Change your blade, save your mat. Change your mat, save your blade. Both are expensive.

And will someone please explain about the soaking? That is one thing I've never heard about.

I must be hard on cutting mats. I find I have to replace mine about every three years. I know keeping a really sharp blade keeps them from getting deep grooves.. but it one of those pay for lots of blades or pay for new mats... it all seems to work out to be the same in the end.

This was discussed recently. Here's the link to the whole thread. It was new to me also. Very interesting....

http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...t-t224131.html

I've had my current mat for at least 5 years, its 24x36. Its the green Olfa one.

Wow, I have learned so much. I live in a very dry climate so today I am soaking mine in a play pool . I store my mat when I am not using it on top of the refrigerator, so that probably dries it too. Thanks for the comments and links.

Replaced my Olfa 24x36 about 2 years ago -- the surface was still pretty good, but the lines were gone! and moved from line to line regularly to keep from getting "un-healed" groves. Had this old mat cut in half, use top or back now for strip cutting with a slotted ruler, and for cutting circles for coasters, and cutting batting, etc. Mats here are extremely expensive -- 24x36 -- $60+. So use smaller mat whenever possible, saving this big one. Store my mats standing on end, between the wall and the china cabinet -- they are snug but not too tight, have for 7 years, without any warfs; live in moist climate, no cracks.

I was told years ago to never get your mats wet- if you need to wash it- dry it completely right after--- so the fact some of you soak your mats in a bathtub is pretty surprising....what is the purpose of doing this? seems like it would cause it to dry out become brittle... I've never heard of any one doing that before- I have mats that are 15+ years old- which are still just fine- and my big mat that gets used constantly I have replaced once just because the lines were pretty worn away & I wanted a new one- the old one I cut up into different sizes & still use them- I've never saturated a mat- I have used a soft damp cloth a couple times...i'm just wondering- what does it do for the mat to soak it in a tub? and how long does it take to dry it out, make it useable again afterward?

IQ2, thanks for the link. It would never have occurred to me to soak my mat in water. Why don't the manufacturers tell us these things? I wonder if climate/humidity has anything to do with them drying out...

Guess I should have read all the posts in that thread. They actually do discuss humidity. I live in a pretty humid climate here in the Deep South.

Soak it? In plain water? I never knew that.

My big mats last about 4-5 years, but I use them pretty heavily. My small mats don't even last that long, since I use them whenever possible to save wear on the larger (expensive) mats.

I flip them over and use the back side when the front side starts showing wear.

I've never soaked them, but the humidity where I live is incredibly high (98% most summer days) so perhaps that makes a difference.

It is good to see the discussions of mats on here. I am shopping for a new one. I would really like a large one, 36x48 to cover my cutting table. I have one of the ones from JoAnns and feel like it hasn't lasted as long as it should have for the price. I will try soaking it today and see how it comes out. I'm not sure I can afford the mat I want. Mine lasted about 3 years. I have an Olfa mat that is at least 20 years old. I dont use it any more sine I got a sewing room with a large cutting table.

Don't know how long they should last but I know mine needs replacing. Got it at JoAnne's back in 2005 and it has lots of cuts in it. I picked up a rotating mat with a self-healing mat and I love it. Found a site that will cut to fit whatever size you want/need and its self-healing. They come in either with or without the markings. They will also send you the leftover pieces they cut off as they start with a certain size and cut down to whatever you ask them to. Hopefully this will be my last one.

Suz in Iowa

I've had mine 8 years but flip it around a lot. And now that I have the 12" mat that turns easily, it's less wear and tear on the bigger mat. Never heard of soaking them. After I get done using them, I wipe them off with a lint roller and microfiber rag to pick up any lint that ends up in the cutting lines. Makes a cleaner heal.

Although I've had fairly good luck with Olfa's lasting several years, I'm switching over to Martelli. Twice a year they have a special on all of their products, 50% off. That makes them pricey instead of astronomical. :( Until you actually use one and feel how different they are, it's hard to explain. They have an almost "soft" feel. Don't warp, regardless of being in sun, car, etc. Even when cutting minky or fleece, I've never had fuzzies that I get on my Olfas.

I have a larger one that I keep on my cutting table, and a smaller one (18 x 24) next to my sewing machine. Although I haven't tried it, their youtube video says you can actually iron on it, as long as the iron doesn't come in direct contact with that mat.

If you want to get their redline specials, when you go to their website, scroll down menu on left. You must go to redline direct, not just their e-mail listing. Sign up for redline direct. Once a month they have deep discounts, usually on a specific product. Twice a year (July and December) they have 50% off of everything; this is when I make my purchases.

I agree - I know I am VERY HARD on mats.......my large OLFA was worn out ( deep grooves with fabric pieces stuck in them ) after about 2 years of infrequent use..........and I do change my blades often ( was using OLFA blades then.......

SO - I SWITCHED - i use only Martelli blades ( they stay so much sharper for so much longer, and I get packs of 10 when they are on sale for 50% off) and I bought two of their mats ( they yellow and purple ones).....have used both quite a bit more than the OLFA for about 3 years now, and neither one has the first "groove" ....both are like brand new...........I got each when Martelli had their REDLINE on line sale for 50% off - so price was more than comparable with Olfa, etc.............I am really pleased with both these blades and these mats.

ME TOO - I just got backup right and left ergonomic cutters ( I cut with both hands - switching when one gets tired) and more blades during their REDLINE sale..........Their blades and mats are so much better than anything else out there 0 and with the ever-increasing cost of LQS cotton fabric - I cannot afford to waste any of it by poor cuts............

I think EVERYONE on this board should register for their REDLINE sales - no purchase requirements, and every month there is something on sale - and the twice a year sales on EVERYTHING for 50% off ( except machines and their cutting table ) is well worth the time to register. (IMHO)

I must be very hard on mine or not using my rotary cutter correctly. After a few swipes on my mat it suddenly goes from great to okay. Obviously you can't soak a mat 24x36" in the bath tub; how else do you suggest wetting it down? I placed mine on a large piece of plastic to protect the carpet, laid the mat on that and then sprayed it with water. Didn't seem to help.

I have had mine for over 10 years. I think if you change your blades regularly, your board will last longer. Dull blades can damage the board. I have never soaked mine, never knew that was something I could do.

WOW, can someone give more info on giving a cutting mat a bath?? Just water but what temperature?? How long do you let it relax in the bath??? My mat one time was too close to my Presto pizza cooker. Guess that thing does give out intense heat so I still have the mate with a slight budge on the side.

After 20 years, I finally bought a new one, but still use the older one next to my machine for smaller pieces when appliqueing or paper piecing.

see comment #21...there's a link to the whole thread about soaking