Sometimes your cutting board dries out. You can soak in the tub for a while and/or get a large towel soaking wet and wrap your cutting board up. Leave the towel on your board until the towel is completely dry. May rejuvenate your cutting board.

I am losing the grid lines on my cutting board but I don't want to replace it becasue I can't find the same size. Its a 30 x 36. I tried Joann's, on line, Blick's etc but no luck in that size. Based on what I saw here (BTW my Walmart has no fabric department) I am going to try to turn the board over and mark the lines with a Sharpie, then turn it back. Hopefully the lines will be crisp enough. Will let everyone know....

Before turning your mat over and using the other side, check first to be sure the reverse side is meant for cutting. Not all brands have a cutting surface on the back.

Also, in addition to the other tips mentioned for caring for your mat ... I use a mat smoothing stone to clean my mats after every project. And make sure the blade screw is tight on your rotary cutter, if you have that kind. A slightly loose blade will cut small grooves in your mat, just like a dull blade will.

Good luck!

Usually, cutting grooves that don't heal are caused by dull blades that force you to really have to put muscle into your rotary cutter. Cleaning your rotary cutter, making sure that you have not tightened the screw too much, and changing the blade frequently will save your arm/shoulder AND your mat. Good luck!

There is a product, I think mine is pink plastic, with an emery type stone on it. The stone is not rough, kind of smooth. I use it on my cutting board in a circular motion and it cleans the fabric out of the cuts and helps seal them back up. It doesn't affect the lines on it. I have had my cutting board over 10 years and still using it.

Some great suggestions here.
I alway's use the edge of my square ruler at a 45* angle to scrape away the lint and such from the cutting line. I also take the blade edge at a 45* angle and pull the snipits and such away from the ruler edge after I cut a piece of fabric. Just a habit and I don't get buildup too often. Usually buildup is from heavier fabrics like Fleece and denim for me. I also vary which cutting lines I use. That is: if the pattern calls for 10" of fabric I move the fabric edge to the 10" mark and cut on the 20" mark
I learned NOT to press on the board the hard way.
Alway's be sure your blade is sharp, if you really have to put some elbow grease into cutting, you either have arthritis or you have a dull blade.Change blades.
I actually use the green Olfa mats (I have three sizes) because the color is easier on my eyes, the cutting lines show up better for me, like the thickness of the board. I believe Quilt In A Day has them on sale right now at 45% off (or did earlier this week).

I was going to suggest the same thing! good luck - but flipping it over is an option too.

I was in Walmart yesterday, and I was amazed to see the notions are new and plenty!! They are now carrying the Fiskar boards!!! and very reasonable!! mine is sure wearing down as well and i do use the lines for a few things and try to move it in different ways and use the back often..
Check out the Notions in Walmart!

Yeah I was not going to use the reverse to cut on, I was going to draw the lines and flip the board back over. The groves aren't bothering me, but the lines are disappearing so its hard to see where I need to cut. I will take a look at the Olfa boards but I think they only had the 24 x 30 which is too small.

A couple of times a year I take my large mat (which is too big for my tub) over to my son's house. I tie it to a float line in his pool and let it soak 3 or 4 hours. This re-hydrates it and mends all those little cuts. While it is soaking I cover the top of his pool table and spray baste a quilt. Since he adopted Patrick 3 years ago the only thing he uses his pool table for is folding laundry. Isn't it amazing how your priorities change when you're a single parent :lol: