People are usually familiar with silhouette mats by many names; the most frequent names for a silhouette mat are cutting mat and Cricut mat. It has wide applications in laboratories, universities, and even the home. It is easy to get a stain after constant use, so it is necessary to clean it properly. If your Silhouette or Cricut mats are dirty or no longer adhesive, we will teach you how to clean silhouette mat or restore them to new conditions.
Cleaning and resticking your cutting mats can save your money while also enjoying. Some cleaning procedures may work better on certain cutting mats than others, so test a few different ones. If your Silhouette mat is not as sticky as it was when you first got it, then you need to restick it.
I found that using fabric, sparkly vinyl or paper, or thin construction paper makes it sticky. The method of cleaning the silhouette mat will be discussed in this post. This procedure is easy to follow.
Things Need to Clean Silhouette Mat at Home
After each cleaning, the cutting mat reverts to its original sticky state. This is a widespread occurrence with this style of carpet. So it’s critical to be familiar with all of the cleaning supplies and to have them at home.
Cleaning requirements
- A basic stain cleaner consists of soapy water and a scrubber.
- Cleaning fiber with a sticky lint roller.
- Dritz Basting Spray protects the edge of the mat.
- Baby wipes can be used regularly to clean.
How to Clean Silhouette Mat
1 Clean the Silhouette mat with soapy water
Initially, the Silhouette must be washed with soapy water. Liquid soap can be used for this purpose. It can be treated with either a regular detergent or a water-based detergent. The Silhouette should then be soaked in soapy water and gently wiped. If you think it’s essential, you can also include some hot water.
2 Air dry
We have to air dry it after washing it with soapy water. There’s no need to dry it with hot air. If you think you’ll need to hurry, you can get a quick-drying towel.
3 Get rid of sticky things
After drying, it’s critical to get rid of any sticky residue. When it comes to cleaning sticky substances, baby wipes are the most acceptable alternative. It should, however, be alcohol-free. Wipe down the entire mat with a soft cloth. Both pieces must be wiped clean.
4 Cleaning with fabric
A sticky lint roller is required to remove all fiber and other similar items from the Silhouette. From the top to the bottom of the mat, roll it. Remember to roll both sides of the mat. It will eliminate all the undesirable fibers, fur, and tiny dust. If you don’t have a roller at home, you can use tape instead.
What to do if Your Mat is not Sticky
If your cutting mat isn’t holding your material securely during the cutting process, check to see if the mat’s liner has been removed. If the mat is brand new and has never been used before, it’s possible that the liner hasn’t been released yet.
Otherwise, cleaning the mat between uses is recommended to guarantee no fibers or other things that cause papers or other materials not to hold. Some customers have noted that cleaning these fibers or other fragments from their mats between uses with a disposable lint roller works pretty well.
When not in use, reinstall the cutting mat’s liner on top of the sticky surface in addition to cleaning the mat. The mat’s sticky surface might accumulate dust or other particles if left uncovered when not in use.
You might also wish to double-check the sort of material being used. Suppose you’re working with a specialist material (like construction paper, handmade paper, or cardstock with a high fiber strand make-up, for example). In that case, you might want to try an alternate material that’s been proven to work with the cutting mat.
How to Make Silhouette Mat Sticky Again
It’s critical to tape around all of the edges of your Cricut or Silhouette cutting mat before reinstalling it. This prevents any adhesive from getting onto the edges and interfering with your machine’s rollers. Use a spray adhesive or a glue stick once the mat’s edges have been taped. Begin with a single coat. Apply another coat if the mat isn’t sticky enough after drying.
- Spray adhesive from 3M
- Easy tack quilt basting spray by Krylon
- Repositionable glue stick from Elmer’s
- Wide tip zigs two-way Glue
- Bonding memories Glue
Some people use Dritz Basting Spray to restick the Silhouette mat. Tape the edges of your mats to keep the adhesive from spraying all over the place. Why? Since you don’t want Glue to come into contact with your rollers because it will clog them up.
Remember these two critical rules before spraying any adhesive: Always spray in an airy site and on a safe exterior, such as a covered table or the outside.
• Spray as much as you want! Spray a smooth skin of paint over the mat’s uncovered outside. Kept spraying until you got a beautiful white layer. Go for a second layer once the first one is dried.
• Before you use it, make sure it’s scorched. You may see that your mat has some fuzzies on it, but don’t worry. If you pat your hand on the mat lightly, as if you were checking the stickiness, the fuzzies will blend in with the rest of the Glue because they need a little nudge in the right direction. You’ll be able to see them, but they’ll not affect your mat’s stickiness.
It’s critical to allow the Glue to dry first. It may become stuck if you don’t do so before applying the material to your cutting mat. After the dry adhesive, use some fabric to test the stickiness on a tiny cutting section. If the cutting mat is excessively sticky, pat it with your hands or a t-shirt.
Additional Mat Cleaning Hints
Keep an eye out for the Silhouette Mat while you’re cleaning. Here are some more helpful hints for making the most of your cutting mats:
- Experiment with several types of matting. Some mats may last longer and be less expensive than others.
- Purchase longer mats and cut them in half to save money.
- Use nail polish remover sparingly. It contains acetone, which will cause the PVC cutting mat to break down.
- When drying your mat, avoid using a hairdryer. The cutting mat has been known to warp due to the heat from the hairdryer.
- Alcohol of any kind is bad for the silhouette mat. Alcohol might alter the mat element and cause it to deteriorate quickly. During cleaning, it may work more rapidly. Instead, use a baby wiper, which is as effective.
- Dish soap is the most acceptable option as a liquid soap substitute. Even yet, it does not affect the mat’s construction. Cleaning with suitable dish soap and medium warm water can save you time and effort.
- You’ll need a different method if you have a large mat and don’t have a large bucket to soak it in. A remedy could be to use soap spray. Using a cloth or scrubber, saturate all of the corners.
- Cleaning silhouette mats with a metal scrubber are not recommended. Furthermore, it causes a scratch on the mat and detracts from its original appearance. Cleaning with a cotton or nylon scrubber is preferable.
Conclusion
This article has several ways to clean your silhouette mats and make silhouette mats sticky. Different things are used for cleaning your silhouette mats; using fabric, water, and sop help clean your silhouette mat. Using a sponge, Wipes, or a magic eraser, scrub your mat; it will produce a good impression.
While using wipes, make sure they’re bleach-free. To make your mat sticky again, hand wash it in warm soapy water and air dry it. Cleaning them with baby wipes is another best option; let them air dry, and they’re sticky again. These tips would be helpful if you gave them a try.
