Repairing a cutting mat to new condition

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09-14-2010, 02:28 PM

#141

kaygee

Junior Member

Join Date: Aug 2010

Location: Estero, Fl.

Posts: 106

I soaked my Fiskars mat in vinegar water in the bathtub and brushed it but does not seem to be any better. I set it out on the deck to dry so maybe it dried too fast. My mat is probably a good ten yrs old. Guess I'm due for a new one. Dummy me didn't know how to take care of it. I love this website. I have learned so much and I love seeing the pictures.. Planning on making quilts for my two granddaughters who will be leaving for college in a year. Have pictures of them from babyhood up to today. Want to make picture quilts. Have to learn how first.

09-14-2010, 03:13 PM

#142

GrannieAnnie

Super Member

Join Date: Aug 2010

Location: S. W. Indiana

Posts: 7,484

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olivia's Grammy

I have the 36 x 60 mat. Has anyone tried rolling it to put in the tub? I've already bought a new mat, but I would love to recondition the old one.

If you have space outside, I'd put it on a deck or even on the grass with a water soaked blanket under it and another soaked blanket on top--------late in the afternoon after the sun isn't so strong. If it's brittle at all, rolling it will break it.

09-14-2010, 03:15 PM

#143

GrannieAnnie

Super Member

Join Date: Aug 2010

Location: S. W. Indiana

Posts: 7,484

I'm wondering if vinegar might not be a bad deal for an older mat. Vinegar draws moisture out of veggies, does it draw moisture out of mat material?

09-14-2010, 05:38 PM

#144

Annya

Super Member

Join Date: Jun 2010

Location: Queensland Australia

Posts: 1,388

Quote:

Originally Posted by katiebear1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lacelady

How big is it? I am trying to think what on earth I could soak my large (36in long) mat in?

How about the bathtub?

I tried the bath tub, what you need to do is to put items like plastic lids off aerosol cans, cups the same size and put them under the mat at each side and extra ones in the middle to stop it from bowing in the middle. When the cool water covers the mat put some thing heavy on the four corners to keep it under the water and stop the mat from floating. I did find out this method does not work on Birch Craft mats. At the moment I am trying a very badly cut mat to see if there is any change in it at all, even a little bit would be a help. the bigger the mat the more water you have to put in the bath, mine are only 24x17 inches.

09-15-2010, 06:38 AM

#145

sapdoggie

Super Member

Join Date: Apr 2009

Location: NW Arkansas

Posts: 2,083

Quote:

Originally Posted by ragamuffin

Why not lay it out in the rain, a cool rain, turn it over, then scrubby it, dry it with a towel and bring it back in, lay it flat and let it dry. No need for a bathtub here. Maybe a bathing suit! Have fun but the neighbors may think something is going wrong with you.

Love playing in the rain :lol: :lol: :lol:

09-15-2010, 08:54 AM

#146

kathy

Moderator

Join Date: Nov 2006

Location: on the Texas Coast

Posts: 4,020

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatriceJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by kathy

kewl, I'm going to try it when I get home, I had been thinking about wiping it down with sewers aid.

ok, but which sewers? New York's or San Francisco's?

:mrgreen:

you think we don't have country sewers? :hunf:

09-15-2010, 10:18 PM

#147

lucyb

Junior Member

Join Date: Nov 2009

Location: Georgetown, DE.

Posts: 156

I wonder why they don't come with these instructions?

09-16-2010, 05:00 AM

#148

ellenmg

Senior Member

Join Date: Mar 2009

Location: North Carolina

Posts: 382

My mat is better, but I still have lots of cuts.... Perhaps it is better to brush the fibers out before it gets wet??? Dunno. May have trashed mine...bummer....

09-16-2010, 05:04 AM

#149

quilter41

Senior Member

Join Date: Sep 2009

Location: N Indiana

Posts: 518

Hafta try this one. Would be a great saver.

09-16-2010, 05:06 AM

#150

sapdoggie

Super Member

Join Date: Apr 2009

Location: NW Arkansas

Posts: 2,083

Tried this with my June Tailor. Lines are brighter and clearer. I still need to get the little pieces of lint out. Since this mat is pretty stiff, I can't tell if it is softer. I'll know more after it dries completely.

I don't think it hurt anything and may have helped with the clarity of the lines.