How to Clean Your Rotary Cutting Mat

[@haydeemuir2782]

Very thorough explanation. Just in the middle of doing it now, after a previous method failed. Thank you so much!

[@FaithandFabric]

Haydee, I'm so glad! I freely admit to never staying as on top of the cleaning schedule as I should, but always feel so glad I did it once the mat gets a good scrub!

[@CJbb2011]

Thank you for this video-- and you were a measure to watch!

[@FaithandFabric]

Haha, CJ, thanks! A measure - that's a new one for me :) Appreciate you stopping by to watch the video and leave your thoughts!! Happy sewing to you, and good luck with cleaning your rotary mat.

[@alindarivera1900]

Awesome vid thanks

[@FaithandFabric]

Alinda, I'm so glad! It's one of those necessary chores we all need to do from time to time.

[@imatugwaddle2291]

Vinegar also helps to get the "stink" out!!

[@FaithandFabric]

Ima, that's a great tip! Vinegar honestly is a wonder worker :)

[@sevenandthelittlestmew]

How long does it take a mat to completely dry? I soaked mine and gave it a good scrub with a clean, dry, cotton tea towel (not terry cloth), and it’s laying flat now. It appears that there are still wet “spots” on the top of the mat, and it’s been drying for only about an hour.

[@FaithandFabric]

Hi there! Great question. I usually let mine dry overnight, and then use a towel to buff out any spots that might have a water mark left. I've never had any issues with this method.

[@missybarrett2061]

How often should a mat be cleaned/soaked to keep it moisturized ?

[@FaithandFabric]

Hi Missy! Gosh, there are so many variables. Depending on how often you use your mat, how often you cut blocks of similar size, the amount of sun that hits your mat, whether you live in a moist or dry climate, how often you run the heat in your house, etc. - all vary how often a mat needs to be moisturized. At minimum, I recommend cleaning your mat monthly by removing loose fibers and wiping it down. When it feels like fabrics are getting snagged on it, you can give it a proper moisturizing facial treatment :)

[@missybarrett2061]

@@FaithandFabric thank you !

[@FaithandFabric]

@@missybarrett2061 Anytime, Missy! Good luck, and I hope you continue to get many years out of your cutting mat!

[@sleeplesscrafter]

My mat isn’t very old but has enough cuts in it that it snags some of my delicate fabric. Will soaking it make it smooth?

[@FaithandFabric]

I would definitely give it a try. I also took a Magic Eraser to mine at one point, and gently rubbed over a few of the rougher edges. I don't know that this is a "formal/sanctioned" process, but it definitely helped me :)

[@com2375]

My matt is a few yrs old. Both my husband and I thought self healing just that. I didn't know you had to do anything to it. I am using a colonial mat smoother. It's working a little bit. But I have to remember 2 yrs of cutting and I did bare down on rotory at times. Mine isn't dirty, just filled with cut marks

[@FaithandFabric]

Yes, a little TLC on your mat will really help it to self heal almost as good as new! Another tip is to try to not rotary cut in the same spot. For example, if you make a lot of 6" blocks, move around the mat when you measure 6" so you're not always cutting on the 6" line...that'll help prevent the deep grooves as well. Happy sewing to you, Sue!

[@com2375]

@@FaithandFabric thanks do I need to replace my mat or is it still okay but I tried didn't work there's still a bunch of lines in the mat from where I used it. Now I know how to take care of it I didn't know my husband didn't know we thought still feeling meant just that just that self healing.

[@imatugwaddle2291]

@@com2375 Flip it over? Won't be any lines, but isn't it the same mat'l??

[@brendalaveine7756]

Can remove fabric glue? Anybody?

[@FaithandFabric]

Hi Brenda - what kind of glue are you talking about? Spray basting glue?

[@martineperry152]

You certainly talk too much

[@FaithandFabric]

Haha, Martine - I'm going to take that as a compliment. I'd rather be thorough and give you all the information you need than too short and have you miss key parts of the process. Thanks for stopping by!