If you use a Cricut mat, you've probably noticed that after a while, it starts to lose its stickiness and isn't working as well for those DIY projects as you'd like it to. Rather than throwing it out and getting a new mat, you can extend the life of your Cricut cutting mat by cleaning it and resticking it. If you've wondered how to clean a Cricut mat, we've compiled the wisdom from other blogs and tutorials from fellow crafters into one place so you can test out several options.
There are several cleaning methods that different people employ to clean off the surface of the mat and to make it sticky again. Fortunately, most methods involve simple tools that you probably have lying around or that you can easily purchase on Amazon. You'll be back to crafting in no time with these easy fixes.
The blog by Sarah Maker recommends the following different ways to clean Cricut mats:
Clean the mats regularly with a lint roller or scraper. If you don't have a Cricut scraper tool, you can use an old credit card or plastic gift card to remove scraps from your cutting mat. Simply run the edge of the card across the surface of the mat to release scrap pieces.
Cricut XL Scraper, Mint
Always replace the plastic protector sheet. Cricut mats come with a clear protective sheet. You can keep your mat cleaner by covering the mat with the protective sheet in between projects. And, if the plastic sheet ever gets dirty, you can wipe it off with a baby wipe or a little squirt of Windex on a paper towel.
Johnson's Baby Hand & Face Cleansing Wipes to Remove 95% of Germs and Dirt from Skin, Pre-Moistened Allergy-Tested Wipes, Formula, Paraben- and Alcohol-Free, 25 ct
Use the right mat for the right material. Use the LightGrip mat for delicate papers, the FabricGrip mat for fabric, and the StrongGrip mat for heavy-duty materials.
Papercrafts Connection adds a little more to this, saying the best way to clean them is to use dish soap and soak the mat in soapy water to make the mat sticky again. This blog also recommends using alcohol-free baby wipes and to make sure to get the edges of the mat. They strongly advise AGAINST using any sort of rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover to clean your mat. They suggest letting the mat air dry before using it again.
Several tutorials, including this one, swear by the LA's Totally Awesome spray from the Dollar Tree to clean the mat. There are mixed reviews on this technique, and some say that afterward, they needed to use an adhesive spray to make the sticky surface on your mat fresh again.
La's Totally Awesome All Purpose Cleaner, Degreaser & Spot Remover, 2 Bottles of 24 oz, 48 oz in total
If you do find that your mat is less sticky after using the spray, lots of people suggested Krylon Easy Tack spray.
Krylon K07020007 10.25-Ounce Easy Tack Repositionable Adhesive Spray
This YouTube video recommends similar methods for cleaning your mat to those already mentioned but suggests that if you use an adhesive spray to restick your mat after cleaning, you take care by putting masking tape or painter's tape over the non-sticky edges of the mat. This ensures that the Cricut mat sticky areas are only in the design space and not the entire mat.
Most of the recommendations mention covering your Cricut mat with the repositionable adhesive cover (comes included when you buy a new Cricut mat) between uses on your Cricut Maker cutting machine. This helps keep dust, pet hair, and other debris from accumulating when you're not using it and ensures you're only getting it dirty when you're using your Cricut machine!
If you do need some new mats, this variety pack from Amazon has you covered with three different strengths!
Cricut Variety Pack(1 StrongGrip, 1 LightGrip, 1 StandardGrip) Adhesive Cutting Mat 12"x12" - For Cricut Explore Air 2/Cricut Maker - 3 Pack
Hopefully, you've got some good ideas on how to effectively clean and restick your Cricut mat so you can get back to crafting and creating in no time!
