We cut lots of pellon, insulbrite, and other stuff that gets stuck in our big mats. We try to cut those orders last of the day, then we clean our mat with a special little rubber device that you just rub across it.

We also sell those, they work really well and one will last indefinitely.

http://www.quilt-kits-online.com/pro...php?prod=6719A

If you get one of these someplace, read the directions. After the cleaner cleans it off your mat, you run the rubber thing under cold water and scrape the collected gook off with a fingernail.

I have read to put white vinegar in the cool water for the soak.

I use a lint roller.

Thanks for the tip on rehydrating the mat. I use one of the nylon net scrubbies that I make and it does wonders. Saw that tip on Fons and Porter show years ago

I use a swifter sheet to pick up all the lint and a damp towel on my mat My mat is too big for the tub.

I've seen mat cleaners out there somewhere (I think Clotilde)

thanks had never heard that before.

I have never heard of that either! What will we learn next?

I use one of those pet brushes, the kind with rubber bristles...mine is purple so I can find it, but it still gets lost....but it really tugs the scraps and threads from the mat. I will have to try the soaking...my mats are at least 10 years old.
Michelle G. in El Paso

Does it actually need to soak, or will spraying it really well work?

I don't know if this is the proper way to do it or not but I just spray my mat ever now and then and rub it with a teflon kitchen scrubber and then wipe it clean then re spray and let it sit and dry on its own. If anyone knows if this is ok or if I am doing more damage please post.

Thanks

I picked up a flyer from an Olfa dealer at a quilt show last year regarding "Caring for your OLFA Rotary Mat." This is what it says:

To clean your OLFA mat, use a generous amount of room temperature water and a few drops of mild detergent. Use a soft, mild bristle brush to create a lather and gently clean your mat. Rinse with room temperature water and wipe dry with a cotton towel. Please note that warm or hot water and direct sunlight may damage that mat.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Evie, I appreciate you taking the time to find this information.

Yes thanks for that info...

I read that you first lay your quilt in a tub of water with 1/4 cup of white vinegar to each gallon of water, let it soak for an hour, then use a mushroom brush (or gently use the scrubby) and its' like new. I did this to my 2 oldest mats and they are beautiful again. Think I heard this on Fons and Porter but I'm not sure

Wow did not know that will try soaking my mats tonight.

My mat is too big for my bathtub. I use a soft brush and room temp water with a little bit of dish soap, I wipe it off and let it dry. When storing, I put them under my bed and a towel over them to prevent dust

Try "whisking" w/blue painters tape to get rid of threads and "fuzz."

I can't find it but this has been discussed here before. And it is the concensus that yes, you can slip your mat into the bathtub to rehydrate it.

I didn't know this either - thanks! The things we learn here :)

I'm new at this sewing/quilting craze and I have never heard of wetting my cutting mat. Could you refer me to where you got this information? Oh....and I say craze....because I am so hooked on quilting I find it hard to sleep sometimes for thinking of how I could make this quilt or that quilt. Thanks. Love reading all replies and questions.

Can you do the same thing with the mats for the Accuquilt Go Baby????

nevrn

Eleanor Burns (I think) suggested using one of those nylon net scrubbers to get out all those left over pieces of stuff in your cutting mat. I've never tried the water deal to soak my mat. Never heard of it before. I can soak it in the bathtub but I have no place to let it dry. Mine's about 7 or 8 years old and still in pretty good shape.

All I have to do is set it outside overnight...soaked!!!

wow i never heard that. makes sense.

I love the idea of the soaking the mat. I have two and the older one I was going to throw away b/c I couldn't get all of the lint out of the mat. Thanks for such good comments all.

thanks, i didn't know that

Wow a person learns something new every day!!!

wow.. the things you can learn... i have one set aside to dump.. .its going in the tub tonite & see if it works thanks!!

I always use the wrong side of my mat if I have to work with items that are not fabric. Then keep the good side for my fabric only.
And I never knew that either. Soon as it gets warm enough, I'll do mine when the weather is warmer. I can lay it out on the deck on my table out there where it's flat.
I have been learning so much here. So glad I found this group.

Thanks, I did not know this.

Will it fit in the bathtub or shower floor?

Gosh, I shudder when ever I hear about those lint rolls now, I have bought two of them in recent months one expensive and the other not so, neither one of them works. The expensive one worked for the first roll then every pass after that I could have picked more off with good old fashioned tweezers. I have found the best thing that works for me is wrapping parcel masking tape around my hand and patting the lint off.

Maybe1day

Thank you! I so did not know this and it never came with instructions. I know what I will do this wkend!!!

HAHA u may be in hiding but it must b warm or u wouldn't leave it out overnight. Mine would FREEZE

As winter would be a pain time to do the soaking thing I will try this for now. Thanks

Thanks for this tip. I didn't know this!

try the bathtub

I didn't know that! Thank you so much!

I bought a mat cleaner from Quilt in a Day web site. Works great. I have also seen it on Nancy's Notions site. Looks like a hard eraser. I have never heard of soaking my mat. You never know what you will learn on this site.

I remember reading about soaking the mat in a bathtb using room temperature water