Has anyone had a self-healing mat that needed cleaning really bad? Mine does... I've found some ideas online, but I wonder if you all could share with us, what has worked for you. Thanks

I use a sticky lint roller on mine all the time and it works great... it even pulls out the embedded threads. If I get glue on it, I wait until the glue dries and then scrape it off with my finger nail. If you've got a mixture of different types of stuff on it, get a spray bottle from the dollar store and fill with warm water... add about a half teaspoon of baking soda, and a couple drops of dishwashing liquid. Spray the mat and then wipe off with a dish cloth.

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by stitchship 15 Jul 2011

Good ideas, Thank you!

Those self healing mats can warp in very hot water. They also warp if left in the sun. You can put them back in the sun till they are very warm then put heavy books on them. This will flatten them out again. You can always put a warm wet towel on it to remove glue, etc.
To remove embedded fibers you can take a very fine steel wool and rub in small circles. Then use the scrubby portion of the cleaning sponges. Use in a circular motion. Last try the gum erases or an old shoe that has the rubber spongy type of sole. (like from the 80's). Some quilting stores sell the sponge to scrape. If all else fails you can turn it over and use the backside. All those lines are really unnecessary anyway. If it is a big mat it can be cut up into smaller mats where the areas are good. When it is cleaned up cover it with wax paper or tin foil when working with glue. Make sure you have a new sharp blade for cutting. I have three very large mats and numerous small ones. Most stay in good shape until I teach a class at my home. I never cut quilt batting or, fleece with a rotary cutter because, it always leaves fibers. Use the scissor. By the way those embedded fibers help to dull your blade too.

2 comments

by cj2sew 06 Jul 2011

You can actually purchase 2 mat cleaners from nancynotions.com that are very similar to the spongy gum erasers I mentioned above. They are on sale till 15 July. Two for $.99

by stitchship 15 Jul 2011

You really are very knowledgeable! I will have to copy this and paste it on a note pad for future reference.

Thank you so much!

Does sound like the blade may have been a little blunt. The sharper the better, if you want to 'look after' your mat.

this is a great ???, i have different sizes of mats and we use them for everything..maybe some of them can be rescued!

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by stitchship 05 Jul 2011

That is my opinion! Please share with us what works best for you.

I recently was given two that someone was going to toss out. They need a cleaning. Thanks for asking, now I know how to clean them. :)

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by stitchship 05 Jul 2011

You are welcome... I'm still working on This one. It is way too big for my dishwasher... If not I'd give that a try.

But this one was also someone else's, and now it is mine!

WOW, I never knew that you must soak the mat, problem is mine is too big for the bathtub and the swimmingpool water is salty. LOL. Maybe I can just hose it down?

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by stitchship 03 Jul 2011

See, mine is too big too!

here is the link for the Jonnysew cleaning block.

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by stitchship 03 Jul 2011

Thank you so much, I will go and check it out.

by sewdoctor 06 Jul 2011

http://www.jonnyseww.com/products...

I have used the big pink pencil erasers that school children use.

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by stitchship 03 Jul 2011

Well, I have some of those here. I will have to try them out!

Scroll down the page for suggestions on cleaning your mat. I've never had to clean mine in that manner, but I do clean it with a wet sponge and dishwashing liquid after every big job.

3 comments

by sewdoctor 03 Jul 2011

This was a very good link, very informative! Thanks!!

by crafter2243 03 Jul 2011

I have to remember this one. Good link Thank you

by stitchship 03 Jul 2011

Thank you! I will go check it out. My main problem is just too much batting and bits of fabrics in the little slits.

For me, the secret is not to let the map become to ingrained with fibres before cleaning it off. ie after every project to clear off all "stuck" fibres. Ifirst use a piece of batting and rub off as much as it will pick up, then I use a Scotchbrite sponge with scrubby side, rub this to get rid of all fibres and "polish" with the batting again. I haven't done much patchwork lately but all my stoles are cut on my mat with a rotay cutter. *4U Elizabeth

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by stitchship 03 Jul 2011

Thank you so much, it would have never occured to me to try this out. I wonder if the scrubby side would remove the guiding lines on it.

After too many of my kids school projects with different glues I broke down and put it in the dishwasher. It was so bad I figured out there wasn't anything to loose. Came out really clean and now I maintain it using a magic sponge. Dish washing compound is caustic so I did use a very small amount and removed it before the dry cycle.

7 comments

by stitchship 03 Jul 2011

Wow! In the dishwasher? This one is too big for the dishwasher. :( I'm glad that it cleaned it without damaging it. I have some Magic Eraser sponges, but I wonder if It will work on this mat. But it is a good idea.

This one has a lot of fibers stuck in the "cuts". I thought of using a lint removing roller thing... I just don't want the sticky part to stick to the mat.

by capoodle 03 Jul 2011

The fibers with the glue and bits of construction paper were stuck in the cuts on the one I put in the dishwasher. I laid it on the top rack with the side that was the worst facing down and wedged it it somehow. Dishwashers vary in how hot the water heats to and the spraying arm action.

by stitchship 03 Jul 2011

Goodness! I wish my would fit in the dishwasher. I will try to remove a rack and see if that works. Thank you! I am willing to try anything and everything right now.

by ssampsel 05 Jul 2011

wow, i would just cut the mat into 2 (or 3) pieces...and do the dishwasher thing!

by stitchship 05 Jul 2011

Well, sometimes you really need something very big to be able to cut a lot of pieces at the same time.

I use mine even for cutting clothing patterns. It just makes it easier if the mat is large enough to lay the fabric and not have to move it too much.

by capoodle 05 Jul 2011

I guess if it is the rather large one you might consider hanging it on the hooks at a self serve car wash. lol

by capoodle 05 Jul 2011

The hooks you put your car mats on to hose off.

I use spray & wipe with a microfibre cloth .. um I have no idea if there's a "proper" way to clean my mat tho. hrm xXx

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by stitchship 03 Jul 2011

This mat has a lot of like batting stuck in the little lines, and all colors of fabrics... so it will need some heavy duty something.

I have a fancy square block that looks like an artist eraser. It cost me $10.00 3 years ago & it works really well, it is smaller now but I can't remember what the actual name of it is? I got it @ a sewing show with Jonny Sew. Good Luck!

6 comments

by noah 02 Jul 2011

i got the same one and mine is/was pink i don't remember either lol hugs carolyn

by stitchship 03 Jul 2011

Thanks for replying... how can I find it? Do you know of a website that might have it?

by pldc 03 Jul 2011

ONLY ONE THAT MIGHT BE ON-LINE IS JONNYSEW.COM

by sdrise 03 Jul 2011

Check the stores that carry artist supplies. You will definetly find one there. Suzanne

by crafter2243 03 Jul 2011

I believe this is what you are talking about
http://www.jonnyseww.com/cleaning...

by stitchship 03 Jul 2011

Thanks, I will have to go check it out!