Your self-healing cutting mat likes to be moist.
To add water in needs to soak for at least 20 minutes.
If you have an inflatable child swimming pool that might be one way to give the larger mats a place to lay flat while they soak. Just make sure you don’t leave it in sun while it soaks.
Joan Shelby
Mar 16. 2015
Yep, they need care too, because they aren’t cheap!
Nancy O'Neil Sikkenga
Mar 20. 2015
I accidentally ironed a corner of mine and it warped. Will putting it out in the sun fix that also?
keepnuinstitchesquilting
Mar 20. 2015
Maybe, But I would try to warm it up first indirectly with a some steam. While its still warm use some rigid material, like plywood, and place it between two pieces. Stack something heavy on it. If possible try placing a damp towel on both sides directly on the mat, but use plastic wrap between the plywood and towel. The plywood will absorb the moisture from the towel if you don’t use a barrier of some kind. The mat needs time to absorb the water while it’s flat. A little warm air might help from a hairdryer, but don’t over do it. Just a suggestion. However! It might be easier to just get another mat and or cut the offending warped section off. Hope this helps!
Bonnie McKee
Mar 20. 2015
I have one of those!!!!
Linda Martin Howard
Mar 22. 2015
Last summer I noticed my cutting might have a problem. Even with a new blade I was not getting a good cut. I decided itight need a bath in warm water so I proceeded to do that. Worked like magic
Margie Graham
Mar 22. 2015
Tried it with mine. It was clean but didnt help cuts in it. I guess it was too far gone.
Victoria Macias
Mar 23. 2015
On the flip side I cut the material how do you repair that I have about a three inch gash?
Katy Harris
Mar 23. 2015
Dawna Hughes see this is what I was taking about!
Mary Wantuch
Mar 23. 2015
Thanks for sharing this. I may wipe it down tonight.
Mary Harper
Mar 23. 2015
ought to do this before Friday.
Karmen McKillip
Mar 24. 2015
Doris Merritt?? Have you heard this?
Therese Mays
Mar 24. 2015
Good to know. All I have ever done is wipe it clean. I do use a lint roller frequently to remove small scraps and thread.
Karen Kuiper Watson
Mar 24. 2015
Heather Watson.
Jayne Kane
Mar 24. 2015
Good to know…..
Barbara Eckhart
Mar 24. 2015
I never heard this.
keepnuinstitchesquilting
Mar 24. 2015
Hi Barbara,
We are so glad we could help keep you informed!
Staff of Keeping U N Stitches Quilting
Linda Pollera Catropa
Mar 24. 2015
Thank you for posting this Laura Schuler
Norma Schwieterman
Mar 25. 2015
Great advice
Joyce Rye Kasberg
Mar 25. 2015
Shay Clark, here are you some sewing tools…
Lori Beck Bastian
Mar 26. 2015
Lisa Beck Herrmann I think we need to drink with our mats
Lee Anne Garrett Sebren
Mar 26. 2015
Melissa !!!
Bette Jean Janicke
Mar 27. 2015
Glenda Lewis did you know this
Tina Bravo Hinton
Mar 27. 2015
Good to know this!!!! We could give our cutting mats New Life!!!
Elaine Seaman
Mar 27. 2015
Me either and my hubby too !!!
Kathy Thomas Reynolds
Mar 27. 2015
I tried this but mine is cut thru in a couple of places…it did not work for me.I soaked it just like you said to.
Aleea Brewer
Mar 27. 2015
If my cutting mat wants a drink, it has to wait until it is 21.
Elizabeth Jefferson
Mar 27. 2015
Thank you for this information. I was not aware of this.
Rosa Mcgeehin
Mar 28. 2015
Thanks for sharing Helen Vincent Bakay I never knew this…..I will give them some TLC today…
Sonjia McKelvey
Mar 28. 2015
Did not know this.
Lauren Pearson Owen
Mar 28. 2015
Have had My mat for years. Never knew this.
Linda Greene Agnello
Mar 28. 2015
This sounds fishy to me…
Martha George
Mar 28. 2015
Good information to know. Time for a mat bath.
Penny Oosterman
Mar 28. 2015
Mine is badly warped in one spot. My SIL left the iron on it and didn’t realize it was going to do that.
Dianna Smith
Mar 29. 2015
Not a problem here in the humid South. Our cutting mats, along with our skin, stay soft and supple! Think sauna!
Devonna Hisel
Mar 29. 2015
Marena Nelson I never knew this, thanks for sharing
Carol Herstein Thomas
Mar 30. 2015
Does it want white or red? Cuz I’m having wine.
Jeanie Tuesley
Mar 30. 2015
Patty Baldt did you know?…
Carol Sidlinger
Mar 30. 2015
Shirley Reisig Thomas, did you know about this? What’s your thoughts?
Shirley Reisig Thomas
Mar 30. 2015
Didn’t know. Will research this.
Linda Tressler
Mar 31. 2015
Good to know…thank you!
Myrna Stiles Buckles
Mar 31. 2015
Nancy Galinat have you tried this?
Norma Goff
Apr 01. 2015
Any thoughts on this, local quilters? New to me!
Ruby Goates
Apr 01. 2015
Nice to know after all of these years.
Fran Clark
Apr 02. 2015
Darlene, Amanda, Kimberly,
Sarah Rasmussen
Apr 02. 2015
That’s great! Never thought of that.
Joann Rice Meagher
Apr 03. 2015
Jodi Bobchik, I am going to do this. Since your at us even older than mine, I suggest you check this out
Sandy Heiken McAvan
Apr 04. 2015
I had not heard of this Linda, thanks for the tip.
Judy Mclaughlin
Apr 04. 2015
Thanks for sharing Paula !!!!! Mine was getting hard !!!
Debra Severson Potter
Apr 04. 2015
Never knew this!
Linda L. Cropley
Apr 04. 2015
Adriane, guess who won the moose throw HEHEHE love it
Gloria Mitchell
Apr 05. 2015
Becky Mitchell Donaldson
Dawn Allen
Apr 05. 2015
Read the text for re-hydrating instructions. Who knew?!
Terry South,
Anne Kohrs Calhoun,
Lu Ann Leonard,
Becky Lamson,
Cindy Campbell,
Theresa Ann Ortiz Mejia,
Janice Jones,
Joe Diane Weldon,
Sue Underwood Riordan
Joanie Tarter
Apr 05. 2015
Do you use Red or White wine with green cutting mat? Lol
Kelly De La Rosa
Apr 06. 2015
I
Cordelia A. Lyons
Apr 06. 2015
I didn’t know this! I’ll go wash mine now
Dorothy Lambeth StLouis
Apr 06. 2015
I spelt water on mine the other day
Gail Woodruff
Apr 07. 2015
That’s news to me.
Diana Henderson
Apr 07. 2015
Rhonda Gross weird yet interesting
Patti Davis
Apr 07. 2015
Carol Young did you know this?
Michelle Taras-Hynes
Apr 07. 2015
I don’t think mine had care instructions either. They won’t of course give you care instructions they want you to buy new ones.
Michelle Taras-Hynes
Apr 07. 2015
Try a hair dryer not too hot to warm it up, then lay it flat put something flat and heavy on top. I used cookie sheet pans with other stuff on top, for weight. Then you will have to give it a bath once it’s flat again to replace the moisture.
Michelle Taras-Hynes
Apr 07. 2015
It was Pretty much the same thing they had in the article.
Sarah Ball Walker
Apr 07. 2015
I have had the same one for a very long time. The only care instructions I remember are to make sure to store flat and keep out of the heat.
Iris Jarmon
Apr 07. 2015
Thank you
Kathi Gonia
Apr 08. 2015
Thanks for the tip! I love my mat!
Barbara Scalise
Apr 09. 2015
I went to JoAnns to ask what to do about a dried up cutting mat. I was told there was nothing that could be done. Maybe you should clue then in…
Joann Lamb Hathcock
Apr 09. 2015
I had a warped mat that I laid on the sidewalk in the sun, and it flattened without damage. What did I have to lose?
Gloria Canada Jackett
Apr 09. 2015
I didn’t know that!!!
Mary Belle
Apr 10. 2015
No sound or movement
Patricia Hushour-Franklin
Apr 10. 2015
Never knew this about the mats. Anna Bowers
JimMarilee Cole
Anna Bowers
Apr 10. 2015
WOW – never heard of this
Sharon Anthony
Apr 10. 2015
maybe thats whats wrong with my cuts…LOL
Carolyn Blackwelder
Apr 12. 2015
I didn’t know
Donna Farley
Apr 12. 2015
P
Sandra Magee
Apr 13. 2015
Good luck finding Dove dish soap. I haven’t been able to find it anywhere.
Sharon Petterson-Yeo
Apr 13. 2015
Good info.
GinnySue Welch
Apr 14. 2015
Very interesting. I didn’t know this. Thanks for sharing.
Carlie Craig
Apr 14. 2015
no idea what that pink/thin thing in the pic is, and I watched 3 videos..none of which show anyone dunking the ‘green’ self healing cutting mat they and I have.
Mary Beth Kovic
Apr 15. 2015
The pink thing in the picture is a piece of pink fabric being cut, with a measuring template on top of it.
Joyce Croul
Apr 15. 2015
I’ve had my cutting mat for about 20 years. Have never watered it. What should I look for that is not a good thing? Never heard of athing like water your matt.
Kay Francis Sweeney
Apr 15. 2015
I never knew that either….I have been quilting for years and years…..
Patti Wagner
Apr 16. 2015
I think I’ll test my small one first. ?…
Agnes Quintana
Apr 16. 2015
Great info! Thx for sharing this Beverly Beal-Spencer.
Deborah Austin
Apr 17. 2015
I didn’t know that…guess it helps to read instructions!! lol
Judie Holmes
Apr 21. 2015
Thanks Gail, I’m interested in them!
Beverly Amin
May 31. 2015
Thank you so much for this. I’ll perform this maintenance on my mats this week.
Diane Patterson
May 31. 2015
Never heard of this before, and my directions have never mentioned to do this.
Linda Davis Blish
Jun 02. 2015
good to know… they are so expensive sure is nice to be able to save the one i have…
Karen Morgan
Jun 03. 2015
@[821047768:2048:Valerie Kubat]
Denise Mattson
Jun 05. 2015
@[100008910994151:2048:Diane Ewald] @[1773598227:2048:Michele Sbonek]
Jeannie Preston
Jul 06. 2015
Check this out @[100000196388732:2048:Mary Redrick].
Etwenda Sadler
Jul 06. 2015
Thanks for sharing
Kim Hutton
Jul 06. 2015
cant find the videos just goes to ads
Evelyn Morgan
Jul 06. 2015
Great info
Belinda Johnson
Jul 06. 2015
@[100002576063794:2048:Peggy Messer] @[100008669796439:2048:Peggy Messer]
Peggy Messer
Jul 06. 2015
Not sure I would trust this
Susan Cummings
Jul 06. 2015
No harm in trying it
Gayle Snyder Bateman
Jul 06. 2015
@[728165429:2048:Lauren]
Paula Valentine
Jul 07. 2015
Emily valentine Jessica valentine
Lois Slise Scott
Jul 10. 2015
~ Good to know!
Helen Ducker
Jul 12. 2015
They should include a sheet on mat care when they sell them.
Judy
Jul 13. 2015
What is the purpose of the vinegar? No mention of why.
Barbara Lee Patterson Reed
Jul 15. 2015
there is also a rubber mat cleaner tool that when rubbed on th mat pulls all the fibers out of mat so it can heal itself cost 5.00 I will ship free
Marjorie Miller
Jul 19. 2015
Wow that’s nice to know Thanks
Gloria Simmons
Jul 19. 2015
I agree with you (Y) 🙂
Gloria Simmons
Jul 19. 2015
I am sharing this my poor big mat needs this after x amount of years 🙁 all I ever have done is once in a blue moon wipe it with water. I do have that $$ to help get lint etc. out it. There never has been instructions on any of the mats I have bought & they certainly are not cheap. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Shelley Bayer
Jul 21. 2015
Its true. An Olfa rep told me at a show that the mats get dehydrated and need a bath every now and then. He said to soak it in a few inches of cool water in a bathtub then lay it flat.
Andrea Delaney
Jul 24. 2015
It would be a lot faster and easier to understand if they would just list the steps.
Billie Jo Kilby Wienhold
Jul 24. 2015
@[1197821784:2048:Debra Hinde]
Beth Glascock Proctor
Jul 25. 2015
@[1358268094:2048:Sally Proctor] @[100008919270377:2048:Carmen Leanne]
Cris Garner
Jul 27. 2015
@[1836733459:2048:Mary]
Maisha Ongoza
Jul 28. 2015
@[1549572256:2048:Brenda Shields], @[771983437:2048:Bisa Butler]. @R
Jennifer Janney
Jul 28. 2015
the video didn’t say anything about water.
Janette Vanni Volz
Jul 28. 2015
I did not know this, thanks
Wendy Andreason
Jul 30. 2015
Olfa told me this is an urban legend and to just use a gum rubber eraser to get the fibers out.
Gerrie Manning
Aug 01. 2015
I need a new one .
Karin Cassie
Aug 03. 2015
@[736685785:2048:Rita Shields], check this out!
Elaine Gouge Gray
Aug 04. 2015
anyone tried this?
Paula Lauterbach
Aug 04. 2015
Very interesting
Phyllis Matthews Nicholson
Aug 05. 2015
@[100001021224989:2048:Melissa Short] … if you haven’t seen already 🙂
Donna Coffield Kelly
Aug 07. 2015
3 short videos: note use of rubber eraser to pull out lint in #1 & giving mats a bath in #2. Did they know this 10 years ago when they sold these?
Dee Watts
Aug 08. 2015
@[1315334610:2048:Julie Percival]
Rosemary Twyerould
Aug 09. 2015
Interesting
Mary Lue White Garver
Aug 10. 2015
Can’t wait to clean my mat.
Mary Stewart
Aug 10. 2015
@[100000042321830:2048:Teresa Pugh Burrus]–I did not know this
Fran Swisher
Aug 10. 2015
I’ve got to get a mushroom brush. My mats need to be cleaned.
Melissa Jones
Aug 11. 2015
Don’t waste money on a cleaner.. Use very fine sandpaper or sanding pad and swirl it very lightly..do not apply pressure. The fiber will roll into wads and no eraser dust involved. In a pinch, an emory board held flat will work.
Joan Poucher
Aug 11. 2015
Thanks.
Donna Ohl
Aug 13. 2015
I did this – it didn’t make any difference at all.
Karen Cheney
Aug 13. 2015
great tutorial-and I should have known and the eraser is great help-I have just finished cutting batting and have that fiber stuck in the lines and I will lay them flat from now on!
Myra Mitchell
Aug 13. 2015
Very interesting!
Beckie Jane James Farmer
Aug 14. 2015
@[100004281551721:2048:Kaitlyn Brenae], @[100001121414506:2048:Cheryl McBride Squyres]
Helen Ducker
Aug 14. 2015
It might be too far gone – or need a good long soak.
Donna Ohl
Aug 14. 2015
Kind of like me, maybe – just too far gone! 🙂
Shirley Dobie
Aug 15. 2015
Good to know, thanks for the tip
Shari Cantrell
Aug 15. 2015
@[100000050753227:2048:Jackie Bailey]
Valentine Card
Aug 15. 2015
this is good to know.
Judy Rowe
Aug 15. 2015
@[100001500497051:2048:Judith McCulloch Stevens] @[1329701759:2048:Edie Bailey] @[1708941151:2048:Cathy Rioux] @[100000286431477:2048:Liz Warnke]
Edie Bailey
Aug 15. 2015
Great way to save money Since they are sew expensive. Do not put the iron on it.
Liz Warnke
Aug 15. 2015
And DON’T leave it in a hot car. Even if it is laying flat. This I know.
Judy Rowe
Aug 15. 2015
And don’t iron on it. …and your friends should iron on it eithet! No even once. This I know 😉
Cathy Rioux
Aug 15. 2015
Haha…we’ve all done something to at least one of them
Judy Rowe
Aug 15. 2015
One or two……grrrrr
Edie Bailey
Aug 16. 2015
You are right
Karen Mcgraw-Mccoy
Aug 16. 2015
@[1112185210:2048:Marisa Drones] I wonder if this would have helped the one you cut into lol
Laurie Fifarek
Aug 16. 2015
Is there any way to re-flatten a mat that has been damaged by heat?
Ann Medovits Copetti
Aug 17. 2015
I’m one of those that wipe my mat with a damp cloth after each use & have never had an issue with deep cuts etc – I thought the material it was comprised it was pretty much self healing in nature.
Susan Smith
Aug 17. 2015
My computer caught and blocked malicious malware from this website. Just FYI
Ruthann Keith Stiner
Aug 17. 2015
I use to have a couple of these I used a lot sure wished I had them back..
Linda Reedy
Aug 18. 2015
@[100009234759424:2048:Sharon Warren]
Maggie Bell
Aug 18. 2015
If you don’t want to take time to watch the video, here’s the way to clean your mat & give it a “drink.” Fill your bathtub with room temperature water (not hot, not warm, and not cold) In the water add 1/4 cup of white vinegar and a squirt of dove dish soap for a good lather. Use a mushroom brush (soft bristle brush) and scrub the mat gently getting a good lather with the soap. Then rinse your self healing mat with cool water getting all residue off the mat. You can dry it with a cotton towel, or air dry. It doesn’t matter how you choose to dry it. But lay if flat after you’ve dried it.
(Do not dry it in direct sunlight or it could damage the mat)
The reason for this method is the materials that makes your mat self healing absorbs water and makes the mat supple again. Water and the pliable rubber like material bond together. Not only does this make your mat last longer, but it keeps your blades from dulling so quickly because you are cutting into a softer surface. Makes sense right?
Jeanette Cooper
Aug 18. 2015
I soaked my old one in the tub in warm water. The next time I used it-it snapped right in half…..
Flo Tobin
Aug 18. 2015
What does a person do with a mat that is starting to lose its straightness ?? It looks warped…
Ann Kash
Aug 19. 2015
I did not know this, and I’ve been using them for years. All of mine are getting a bath today.
Barbara Friday
Aug 19. 2015
@[100001881055873:2048:Walter M. Friday]
Darleen Cèrvo
Aug 19. 2015
@[2335876:2048:Mandy Fisher]. I did this with your cutting mat using the vinegar and Dawn dish soap and it worked great!!
Eva Lostname
Aug 19. 2015
They should have to tell you when you PURCHASE one that it will warp. I bought an OLFA , the biggest one, and put it in the rear of my SUV, went straight home and it had warped. NEVER GOT TO USE IT. BIG BUCKS WASTED. I contacted the company and never got a response. I avoid OLFA products. There are lots of others that have great customer service.
Pat Zentz
Aug 20. 2015
May have to try the bathtub
Terrie Newman
Aug 20. 2015
I have a LARGE mat and didn’t have a vessel large enough to lay it flat, submerged, so sprayed the printed side with water, let it set for awhile, sprayed again, waited. Then followed the cleaning steps in the video. Made a noticeable difference. The water made the fibers swell, making it easier to remove them from the scratches.
Sherol Roy
Aug 20. 2015
I washed mine twice and it still is bad and dulls my rotary cutter very quickly so I gave up and bought a new one. Trying to decide how I could use the old one. Maybe as a liner in the bottom of a diaper bag?
Mandy Fisher
Aug 21. 2015
That was a great idea!!
Elaine Yanke
Aug 21. 2015
I decided to use the back side as it didn’t seem to make any difference on the top side.
Debi Hyland
Aug 22. 2015
Do you have to use dawn?
Barbara Arnold
Aug 22. 2015
Thanks.
Peggy Winton
Aug 22. 2015
Will not heal itself when cut all the way thru. That baby has been used.
Frances Ashinhurst
Aug 23. 2015
Where can you get this?
Barbara Lee Patterson Reed
Aug 23. 2015
France’s I have them they are 6.00 including shipping
Tammie Zemler
Aug 23. 2015
The things you learn. Did not know this about my self healing cutting mat.
Flo Tobin
Aug 24. 2015
Does anyone know an answer to my problem that I previously posted about a warped mat???
Linda Murphy
Aug 27. 2015
Yes take and put your mat on a sidewalk or driveway that is flat and make sure sun is out. The heat will flatten it out. I did mine and it worked great.
Linda Murphy
Aug 27. 2015
I forgot to say keep watch on it so it doesn’t get to hot, because that’s what you don’t want to do.
Aimee Bowers Dodge
Sep 02. 2015
@[100000207368880:2048:Deb Bowers]
Lisa ONeill
Sep 05. 2015
I never heard this before!! Awesome
Lori Turner
Sep 06. 2015
Cutting mat care
Vickie L Briggs
Sep 06. 2015
I laid my under some heavy books. It took awhile. I just spread the books out enough to cover the surface. Or put under a heavy piece of furniture. Just so it lays under something heavy. Mine was curled up at one end from being shoved in the closet. My son moved some things and didn’t put them back correctly. I had to work it it a little by hand before putting it under the books. Have you checked with manufacturer?
Vickie L Briggs
Sep 06. 2015
Try dampening it first maybe with a spray bottle so its not fragile, it would be able to move back to shape. From what I’ve been reading in these comments. Good luck!
Tansy Parris
Sep 07. 2015
I’d suggest put weights on it, large hard back books for example. I’ve straightened out various other things that way so it would be my first port of call
Tansy Parris
Sep 07. 2015
One of my mats has a sticky residue from spray mount. I originally got it for card making, hence I now have a second mat. Any ideas how to get it off though?
Rose Tubbs
Sep 07. 2015
Thanks for sharing ! Info I can use !
Shirley Bacon
May 12. 2016
Only saw one video