When your Cricut mat gets dirty and loses its stickiness, you start wondering, should I clean it or how to make Cricut mat sticky again? The cutting mat is where we place our materials and load them into the crafting machine. All mats have a stick side—this is the part where you hold the material firmly while cutting. You need this mat to cut your DIY projects. If you make crafts with your machine mat every day, you should clean your mat very often.
Read this post to learn about the different methods of keeping mats clean.
How to Keep a Cricut Cutting Mat Clean?
Here are some easy ways to clean your mat, and you can follow them.
- Clean your mats regularly with a lint roller or a scraper. If you do not have a scraper tool, you can use a plastic card to take off stains from the cutting mat.
- Also, try to replace the plastic protector sheet. The mat comes with a clear protective sheet. Covering your mat with the sheet when not using it for projects can keep it cleaner. If the protective sheet gets dirty, wipe it off with a baby wipe, a soft cloth, or a paper towel.
- Use the right mat according to your different materials while cutting. The LightGrip mat should be used for delicate papers, the FabricGrip mat for making your craft with fabric, and the StrongFabric mat for heavy materials.
What Tools Can You Use to Clean a Cricut Mat?
Here are some supplies and tools you will need to clean your machine mat. Depending on your chosen method, only some of the materials are required.
- Scraper tool
- Lint roller
- Alcohol baby wipes
- Dish soap
- Dish brush
- Cleaning spray
How to Make Cricut Mat Sticky Again: Easy Steps
Here are the basic steps that you can use to clean the cutting mat and make it sticky again:
- Clean the mat. Use the scraper tool to remove dirt residue and leftover materials. Depending on whether your mat is dirty, you can also clean it with baby wipes or soap water.
- Now that the mat is clean tape the edges to prepare it for applying the new adhesive. To protect the outer border, you can use masking or blue painter’s tape.
- To apply the new adhesive, you can use a Zig 2-Way Glue pen with a broad tip and some removable tape. Put the tape onto the edges, covering the non-sticky edges. Do not put glue on these edges, as it can damage your machine’s wheels/ rollers when loaded into the machine.
- Once you have put the tape, get started by putting glue on it.
- After that, let the adhesive dry for 10-15 minutes.
3 Different Methods for Cleaning Cricut Mats
These cleaning methods are for cleaning various mats with varying levels of dirtiness:
Method 1: With Baby Wipes
You can use wet wipes to gently wipe the mat’s surface without damaging the adhesive. Choose alcohol-free wet wipes for the best results. Wipe the mat in a circular motion. If the mat is dirty, you may need 2 to 3 wipes. Be gentle, remember not to scratch the adhesive off, and let the mat air dry completely before using it.
Method 2: Using Dish Soap
If your mat is extremely dirty, use soap and warm water. But make sure you choose a mild soap. First, you will have to use the scraper tool to take off excess material from the cutting mat. After that, place the mat on a waterproof surface, take a soft cloth dipped in lukewarm water and soapy water, and gently scrub the mat’s surface. Let the machine mat air dry completely.
Method 3: With Awesome Spray
The purple mat has a stronger grip and is used for thicker materials. Therefore, it requires a strong cleaning agent, and if your mat is dirty and greasy, you should use this stronger cleaning method. First, take the Awesome spray. Then, spray on the machine mat and let it be there for about 5-10 minutes. Now, use a scraper tool to scrape the residue from the mat gently. Next, wipe it off and rinse the mat with warm water. Lastly, hang the mat to dry or use a hairdryer but with minimum temperature.
Final Words
Finally, we have come to the end of this blog, and now you know how to make Cricut mat sticky again. Following the above different methods, you can restore your mat’s stickiness and increase its output for your craft projects. So, clean your mat today and regain its stickiness again. A clean and sticky mat is very important for cutting your materials precisely and accurately. Happy crafting!
FAQs
Do I need to clean my mat frequently?
Generally, cleaning your mat after every two to four cuts is recommended. If your materials are not sticking well, you should clean them more often if you use your machine mat daily. If you are not cleaning your mat regularly, it may last up to 40 uses, but regular cleaning can last up to 75-80.
When is the right time to buy a new Cricut mat?
There is no right time to buy a new Cricut mat. It depends on the adhesive amount and the material you cut on the machine mat. If you clean your mat regularly, you can extend its life. It can last up to more uses than your general mat.
Which is the best glue for resticking the mat?
There is no best glue, but you can use a Zig 2-way Glue pen with a broad tip and removable tape, like blue painter’s tape, to restick the mat. This tape can cover the outer edge of the mat. You can also use Aleene’s Tack-It Over glue, Fast Grab Tacky Spray, Crafty Products Sticky Mats Adhesive, etc.
