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 do you Clean a 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?
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.) You can use a lint roller but packing tape works better.
STEP 2: Bend the Cutting Mat
This is the most important part! 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.
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. This works better than a simple lint roller.
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.
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:
- How to Insert a Magnetic Snap
- 10 Must Have Sewing Tools
- How to Cut out a Sewing Pattern
- 6 Simple Ways to Avoid Sewing Frustration
- How to Teach a Sewing Class
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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. 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.
