question soak cutting mat
 

How long do we need to soak a mat in water to rejuvenate it? Know that there have been posts but I am not on my computer but a kindle fire and not familiar with it. At a quilt retreat and this question come up

look it up online under the company name of your mat. It should be there.

Thank you so much. There are several happy ladies here. Wish I had my computer but will work at finding her answer. You ladies never disappoint
Grandma Sharon

I soaked my oldie goldie for about 20 minutes. Didn't do a thing for it.

I didn't notice any difference in mine either. However, I noticed one thing is that
cutting non-starched fabric can really mess up your mat specially when it's on
the thinner side...not voile but not the best quality quilting cotton. Live and learn.

For Olfa mats you are supposed to soak 15-20 mins in cool water. Use 1/4 cup
vinegar for every gallon of water. Then use a mushroom brush and a little dish
soap to remove the trapped fibers.

My mat needs cleaning too. I thought I read somewhere to use one of the Mr. Clean magic eraser??

I never soak my mats and cut all fabrics, thick or thin.

I never heard of soaking the cutting mats! Is this new???

I saw no difference after soaking mine either.

Soaking these mats is ridiculous. The material they are made of is waterproof, not absorbant. No amount of soaking is going to do a thing for a mat.

They all cut well until they get too many little grooves in them from the rotary cutters-- then they don't cut as well. When yours gets that way, flip it over and use the other side until it's worn out too, then buy a new mat. Don't waste your time soaking.

I have heard of this but have never actually done it. I probably should - I've had my cutting mat forever.

I tried it, doesn't do a thing...complete waste of time and water.

I have been using the same couple of mats for eons and they are still doing their jobs without any soaking........

This is info I received from a vendor several years ago and it's worked for me:

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The purpose is not to soak to rejuevenate the mat, but to clean it after you have cut fleece, Minkee, batting, etc. so that you can get the fibers out of your mat. I have never soaked one of mine. I wet a sponge with warm water and a little Dawn and wash the mat, then use a Mr. Clean eraser and rub gently. Let the mat dry thoroughly laying flat before using it again.

I don't either. I just use a magic eraser and wipe it down good. Then I use a micro fiber cloth to dry it off. I've been using my kitchen table more often since easier on my back. It's more solid and flat than the folding table I was using. It has since really flattened in the areas where there was minimal warp. I cut every piece of fabric I have on my mat. So far so good.

Just used the magic eraser on my mat. Did a wonderful job of cleaning of those fibers.
Thanks for the tip. :thumbup:

I thank you and all the ladies at my quilt retreat thank you for your comments and wisdom. Some of us were clueless and just reading the responses have given many of us the knowledge we needed to understand the issue.

I've been Quilting for 12 years and have never heard of soaking mats.

I've heard of soaking my cutting mat, just never seemed to get around to it.