11 Methods to Clean Cricut Mats: How to Clean a Cricut Mat and Make it Sticky Again!
Are your Cricut mats looking dirty and feeling less sticky? It’s no surprise – if your crafting space is anything like mine, it’s filled with paper, fabric, glitter, and yarn. It’s a dusty, fiber-filled place!
We use our beloved mats over and over again for all sorts of messy crafting projects. Cutting mats are bound to accumulate a layer of dirt, dust, and debris after dutifully holding countless materials as your creative visions take shape.
Don’t worry, though. Cricut mats can be cleaned. With a little patience and elbow grease, you can have your Cricut mats looking like new in no time!
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How to Clean Cricut Mats
Remember: Mix and Your Mat Cleaning Methods!
Each of the methods listed here has its own pros and cons, depending on how dirty your mats are, what tools you have on hand, and how much time you want to spend cleaning.
In reality, you’ll probably end up using several different methods. Try a few different cleaning methods and see which ones work best for you!
One of the easiest ways to clean a Cricut mat is with a scraper. Cricut sells tools specifically for this, but they’re quite pricey. If you’re on a budget, an old credit card works reasonably well.
So does a regular plastic spatula from the dollar store (or your kitchen drawer). I personally use an old pastry scraper to clear most of the bits off the mat quickly, and then a smaller scraper to get the remaining bits off.
Scraper Tool
How to Use a Scraping Tool to Clean Your Cricut Mats
- Start with a clean surface to work on, like a table or countertop.
- Place your Cricut cutting mat on the clean space and make sure it’s completely flat – you don’t want any bumps or texture under it.
- Remove any big scraps from your cutting mat with your fingers.
- Optional: Dip a soft cloth into lukewarm water. Gently wipe the entire surface of the mat to dampen any particles and dirt stuck in the adhesive.
- Lay the scraper flat onto the mat, holding it about 45-degree angle. Using small strokes, gently scrape away any large debris from the surface of the mat with your scraper tool. Start from one side of the mat and work your way across it.
- You’ll need to use firm pressure, but be careful not to gouge into the mat!
- If you dampened your mat before scraping, be sure to let it air dry completely before you put it away.
Cleaning a Cricut mat with a toothbrush allows you to thoroughly remove deep-set debris and grime. The bristles on the toothbrush can reach into the tiny grooves of the mat where paper or vinyl particles often stick, which cannot be removed by wiping alone.
A toothbrush allows for gentle, focused scrubbing that won’t damage the adhesive surface of the mat. This method can greatly extend the usability and life of your Cricut mat.
It’s especially effective in removing deep-seated, stubborn debris and adhesive residue that are not easily removed by just using baby-wipes or similar means. It’s ideal for regular maintenance of your mat if you frequently use materials that tend to leave more debris like glitter cardstock, or if your mat has not been cleaned in a while and has accumulated significant grime.
Scrub with a
Toothbrush
How to Use a Toothbrush to Clean a Cricut Cutting Mat
- Start by removing any visible debris from your Cricut mat.
- Wet the bristles of your toothbrush slightly. Make sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid damaging the mat.
- Optional: Dab a small amount of dish soap or cleaner onto the bristles for extra cleaning.
- Gently scrub the mat surface in a circular motion, focusing particularly on areas with visible dirt or adhesive residue.
- Once you have scrubbed the entire surface, rinse the mat under lukewarm water.
- Use your hands to gently wipe down the mat while rinsing, aiding the removal of loosened grime and soap residue.
- After thoroughly rinsing, allow the mat to air dry completely before using again.
Using tweezers when cleaning a Cricut cutting mat with a scraper tool is helpful because it allows you to easily pick up and remove any tiny scraps of material that the scraper tool may miss.
They’ll also help you avoid getting sharp crafty bits under your fingernails if you try using your fingers like I do – ouch!
Try
Craft Tweezers!
How to Clean Your Cricut Mat with Craft Tweezers
- Start by lifting off any big chunks of hardened material from your Cricut cutting mat with your craft tweezers. These would be bits of paper, glitter, glue, etc.
- Optional: Once you’ve removed the bigger pieces, you can loosen the small, really stuck-on bits with warm water. Gently wipe the Cricut mat’s surface with a slightly damp cloth to remove any residual residue.
- Next, using your craft tweezers, carefully pick out any small pieces or bits that have gotten stuck in the mat’s surface adhesive, such as tiny pieces of paper, thread, or glitter.
- If your mat is still damp, let it air dry before putting it away.
One super simple method to keep your Cricut mat clean is using a plain old lint roller. It’s quick, easy, and can work wonders in keeping your Cricut mat sticky and ready for your next project.
This method is ideal for regular maintenance, as well as for those times when you need to remove lots of little pieces of debris from the surface of the mat.
The
Lint Roller
How to Clean Your Cricut Mat with a Lint Roller
- Remove any very large pieces of material from your mat with your fingers before you start.
- Peel the lint roller sheets off so that the sticky part is exposed.
- Start at one corner of the mat and press the sticky side of the lint roller onto the mat. Roll the lint roller over the mat in a back-and-forth motion. Press down firmly as you roll to pick up any debris or fibers stuck on the mat.
- Move to the next section of the mat and repeat the process until you have cleaned the entire mat.
- Depending on how dirty your mat is, you might need several lint roller sheets. Start with a fresh sheet if the first one becomes too dirty.
- Once you have gone over the entire mat, inspect it to ensure there is no debris left behind. Store the lint roller until the next time you need to clean your Cricut cutting mat.
This method of cleaning a Cricut cutting mat with transfer tape is helpful because it removes debris and lint without damaging the surface of the mat. The transfer tape helps lift off any debris and leaves the mat clean and sticky again.
It’s also a great way to use up leftover transfer tape!
Transfer Tape
How to Clean Your Cricut Mat with Transfer Tape
- Cut a piece of transfer tape to the same size as your mat.
- Apply the transfer tape to the mat with the sticky side down. Smooth out any bubbles with a scraper tool or plastic card.
- Lift up and remove the transfer tape slowly, pulling it off at a 45-degree angle.
- Repeat the previous step until all of the debris and lint have been removed from the mat.
- Optional: use a cleaning wipe to remove any remaining debris or residue.
Cleaning your Cricut mat can be a hassle-free process by simply using alcohol-free baby wipes. Plus it makes them smell nice!
This method offers an easy and efficient solution to clean your sticky cutting mat, without the need for water or additional cleaning supplies.
Baby
Wipes
How to Clean Cricut Mats with Baby Wipes
- Ensure your Cricut cutting mat is flat on a clean surface.
- Take a non-alcohol baby wipe and gently wipe the surface of the mat.
- Start from one end and move the wipe gently in one direction rather than in a circular motion.
- Repeat this process across the entire cutting mat ensuring not to miss any spots.
- Let the mat dry thoroughly before using it again. It can take a few hours to be completely dry and sticky again, so it’s best to do this at the end of your crafting day.
Lysol and Clorox wipes are a super convenient way to clean just about anything around the house, and your Cricut mats are no exception!
This fast and easy method will leave your mats clean and sticky in no time.
Lysol or
Clorox Wipes
How to Clean Cricut Mats with Lysol or Clorox Wipes
- Lay the cutting mat out on a flat surface.
- Take a Lysol Wipe or Clorox Wipe and gently wipe down the cutting mat, making sure to cover the entire surface.
- Don’t rub too hard – you don’t want to damage the adhesive you your mat!
- Allow the Lysol to air dry on the mat for a few minutes so it can effectively kill any bacteria or germs.
- Run your fingers over the mat to check for any remaining debris and peel or scrub it off if necessary.
- Once your Cricut mat is sparkling clean, let it air dry fully before storing it away.
Magic Erasers are effective at removing tough dirt and grime, because of their micro-abrasive material. They can easily cut through the debris that can build up on cutting mats over time.
What’s great about using a Magic Eraser is that there’s no need to add chemicals – warm water is enough!
Magic Eraser
How to Clean Your Cricut Mat with a Magic Eraser
- Place your mat on a flat surface.
- Dampen the magic eraser, and gently rub the dirty areas of the mat in a circular motion.
- Rinse the mat with warm water to remove any debris from the cleaning process.
- Blot the mat with a lint-free towel to remove excess water.
- Repeat the cleaning process if needed until the mat looks clean.
One popular method to clean and restore the stickiness of a Cricut mat is using Windex. This cleaning solution is known for its capability to cut through grime and dirt effectively.
To clean a Cricut mat with Windex, it’s important to follow a few simple steps to achieve the best results.
Windex
How to Clean Your Cricut Mat with Windex
- Begin by removing any excess debris and dust from the mat using a lint roller or scraper tool.
- Spray a generous amount of Windex onto the cutting mat, ensuring that the entire surface is covered.
- Let the mat sit with the windex on it for 5-10 minutes, to really soak into the dirty surface.
- Using a soft-bristled brush or a textured dishcloth, gently scrub the mat in a circular motion to remove any stubborn residue or grime.
- Once you’ve scrubbed the mat, wipe or rinse it thoroughly with warm water to remove any leftover cleaning solution or debris.
- Pat the mat dry with a clean, lint free towel and let it air dry completely before using it again.
It may seem obvious, but you can wash your Cricut mat with dish soap and warm water, just like a kitchen cutting mat. Dawn seems to be the favourite brand among Cricuters online, but any brand of gentle soap will do the trick.
Dawn
Dish Soap
How to Clean Your Cricut Mat with Baby Wipes
- First, grab some gentle baby wipes. Use unscented, alcohol-free, bleach-free, lotion-free, and cornstarch-free wipes to avoid damaging the adhesive on your mat.
- Using one wipe at a time, gently apply light pressure and scrub the mat using circular motions. This will help you remove all the debris and particles from its surface.
- As you clean your Cricut mat, pay special attention to any areas with glitter, fabric fibers, or any stubborn residue that may be caught in the adhesive. (The baby wipes method is particularly effective in removing gunk, making your mat look new and refreshed.)
- Once you have thoroughly wiped the entire surface of your Cricut mat, let it air dry completely to avoid trapping any moisture on its surface.
So, you’ve got a dirty Cricut mat and you’re looking for a quick way to clean it, right? Well, have no fear – Awesome Spray is here!
This little magical potion is perfect for giving that mat of yours a good ol’ cleaning. It’s seriously the best for tackling general, all-over dirt that just won’t go away.
Totally Awesome
Cleaning Spray
How to Clean Your Cricut Mat with Totally Awesome Spray
- Before you get started, though, make sure to remove any of that big, chunky debris with a scraper or tweezers. Trust me – you don’t want that stuff getting in the way of your pristine, clean mat.
- Once you’ve prepped your mat, all you need to do is spray a little bit of that Awesome Spray onto it. Seriously, a little goes a long way so don’t drench it or anything!
- Take a soft cloth and gently rub the cleaner into the mat. You’ll see all the dirt and grime disappearing before your eyes – it’s like magic!
- After you’re done, wipe away any excess cleaner. And babe, there you have it – a clean, non-sticky mat ready for your next project.
Awesome Spray is the secret weapon you need in your Cricut cleaning arsenal. Give it a try, and you’ll soon see why it’s all the rage among crafters!
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