How to Clean a Self Healing Cutting Mat


How to Clean a Self Healing Cutting Mat

 Hello Sewing friends! Does your cutting mat ever get filled up with fibers from cutting fabric or batting? Today I'm going to show you the easiest way to get those fibers out and clean up that messy dirty  mat.

How to Clean a Self Healing Cutting Mat

This is a tip I've shared previously over on the C&T publishing blog and I'm happy to bring it home today.  My very favorite sewing tools are my rotary cutter and self healing mat. I use them with almost every sewing project I ever make. 

Seriously what did people do before these were invented?! I love to sew handbags and I use my rotary cutter to quickly cut out the pieces I need. Unfortunately, whenever I cut felt or fusible fleece interfacings the fibers get stuck in the cut lines and I end up with a fuzzy mat.  Does this happen to you?

How to Clean a Self Healing Cutting Mat

 I used to avoid cutting my interfacings with a rotary cutter but it is just so much faster than scissors! So, I found a way to take care of the problem and I'm going to show you how to make cleaning your cutting mat a breeze. Want to know the secret weapon? Packing tape! Here's the trick.

STEP 1: Cut a piece of clear Packing Tape

 Cut a piece of tape large enough to make a tape circle that fits around the 4 fingers of your hand. (with the sticky side out, of course.)
Packing Tape - How to Clean a Self Healing Cutting Mat - Blue Susan Makes


STEP 2: Bend the Cutting Mat

Slightly bend the cutting mat to open up the cuts in the surface. They are still there even though its hard to see them when the mat is flat
Bend the mat - How to Clean a Self Healing Cutting Mat - Blue Susan Makes

STEP 3: Drag the tape along the mat

Drag the tape along the mat letting the sticky tape to grab all that fuzz. Change the direction of the bend if necessary to get all of it.

STEP 4: Get a new piece of tape and repeat. 

Continue to bend the mat and clean it across the entire surface. Get a fresh piece of tape when it's no longer sticky. Your mat will be good as new in no time.
Packing Tape - How to Clean a Self Healing Cutting Mat - Blue Susan Makes

STEP 5: Scrub it with a damp soapy cloth. 

Scrub it with a damp soapy cloth to get any extra dirt off. Dry it thoroughly and you are good to go. It really only takes a few minutes and your mat will be clean and ready for your next project.


Hope this tip helps. For more sewing tips check out these other posts:



 Check out my sewing book Just for You: Selfish Sewing with your favorite SewCanShe Bloggers for great projects to sew for yourself all year long. Follow my blog Blue Susan Makes where I share sewing tutorials and tips. Find me on instagram @bluesusanmakes. And come browse my Blue Susan Etsy Shop where you'll find beautiful handbags  to make using easy-to-read PDF sewing patterns for sale.

Happy Sewing!

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