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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.
7419Those 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.
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!
19439Does sound like the blade may have been a little blunt. The sharper the better, if you want to 'look after' your mat.
16529this is a great ???, i have different sizes of mats and we use them for everything..maybe some of them can be rescued!
17727I 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. :)
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!
22354WOW, 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?
21222here is the link for the Jonnysew cleaning block.
40378I have used the big pink pencil erasers that school children use.
8227Scroll 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.
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.
158553For 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
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.
6339After 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.
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
89895I 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
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.
4309I 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!
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 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...
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