If you’re trying to clean a Cricut mat, you can clean a Cricut mat in 3 simple steps.
Use a scraper or lint roller to gently remove any material off your mat.
If a scraper or lint roller doesn’t work, try using alcohol-free baby wipes. Start in one corner of the mat using a circular motion until you have cleaned the entire mat.
If your mat is still dirty, use Dish soap. Apply the dish soap to the mat. Let is sit for 3 minutes. Using a soft brush, clean in a circular motion.
*** Do NOT do any of these steps above on a FABRIC MAT!***
Let’s walk through each of the steps in more detail!
TIP: We recommend buying this 3 pack of mats. It is a great deal!
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WHAT IS A CRICUT MAT?
A Cricut mat is a very specific mat created for Cricut machines. A Cricut mat is a surface you will cut your project on with your machine. Place the material you wish to cut on a Cricut mat and then insert the mat into the machine.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CRICUT MATS?
Currently, there are 4 different types of Cricut mats.
Light Blue or the Light Grip Mat and is great for lighter-weight materials like light card stock and paper.
Pink or the Fabric Mat will cut a variety of fabrics.
Green or the Standard Mat is great for cutting thicker card stock, vinyl, and infusible ink.
Purple or the Strong Grip Mat is great for cutting leather, chipboard, and thinner wood materials.
STEP 1. Use a Scraper or Lint Roller to clean a Cricut Mat.
To gently remove lint, paper, vinyl or extra materials from your mat use a scraper to gently remove the debris off the mat. A lint roller is also a great tool to have on hand to remove materials from your mat!
Be sure to apply gentle pressure to ensure you do not remove the adhesive from the mat.
Related:
Don’t have a scraper? No problem. Check out my tips to save money on Cricut Supplies!
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STEP 2. Use Alcohol-free Baby wipes to clean a Cricut Mat.
If step 1 didn’t work, try using baby wipes. Some materials like leather can leave behind materials that require more work to clean a mat than a scraper can do!
Be sure to buy bleach-free, alcohol-free baby wipes. This is a great tool to have on hand to clean up all kinds of messes while you create projects with your machine!
Using gentle pressure, start in one corner of your mat and work your way around the entire mat. Wipe in a circular motion with the baby wipe until the mat is clean.
If you apply too much pressure, you will take the adhesive off. Be gentle. It may take multiple wipes to get the mat clean depending on how dirty your mat is.
Let your mat dry thoroughly. We recommend the following:
Do not store a mat wet or damp
Dry the mat vertically
Do not use a towel or heat to dry.
STEP 3. Use dish soap to clean a Cricut Mat.
You can use dish soap to clean a Cricut Mat. Do not use hand soap!
Apply the dish soap to a dirty mat. Let it sit on the mat for a few minutes. Using a soft brush, clean your mat in a circular motion starting in one corner and working your way around the mat. Rinse with warm water.
Let the mat dry thoroughly. Like in step 2, we recommend drying your mats in the same way.
Do not store a mat wet or damp
Dry the mat vertically
Do not use a towel or heat to dry a mat.
HOW DO I MAKE MY CRICUT MAT STICKY AGAIN?
You can read so many tips on making a mat sticky again. Remember, once you attempt to re-stick a Cricut mat you will lose the warranty on your mat.
We love this 3 pack on mats. It really is a great deal especially if you are a Prime member. If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of cleaning a mat, I recommend this 3 pack of mats.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CLEAN MY CRICUT MAT?
How often you clean a Cricut mat really depends on what materials you use for projects. Typically a mat needs to be cleaned after 40 cuts but pay attention to the stickiness of your mat. If you notice materials shifting or bunching when cutting it may be time to clean your mat.
If you use materials like leather you will need to clean your mat more often, sometimes after 2 to 4 cuts.
Materials like paper or vinyl don’t require mat cleanings that often. Pay attention to how your mat looks and the quality of each cut.
To keep your mat clean, we recommend the following:
Keep a lint roller next to your workspace. Use it to remove materials from your mat when needed.
Scrapers are another great tool to have on hand when working with a Cricut Maker. Use scrapers to gently remove leftover material from the mat after a project is complete.
Finally, be sure to put the sheet protector on your mat after each use. A sheet protector will keep dust and other debris from getting on your mat in between projects.
RELATED:
HOW TO CUT LEATHER WITHOUT RUING YOUR MAT
CRICUT DESIGN SPACE FOR BEGINNERS
HOW LONG SHOULD A CRICUT MAT LAST?
A Cricut mat’s longevity depends on how frequently you use the mat and the materials you use on the mat.
The average use for a mat is 40 cuts.
However, if you are using materials like leather you may not get 40 cuts. It may be less. Be sure to keep your mat clean in between projects to extend the life of your mat.
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HOW DO YOU CLEAN A FABRIC MAT?
Do NOT clean a pink fabric mat like you clean your other Cricut Mats!
DO NOT use a scraper
DO NOT use your fingers to clean off materials from the mat. The oils in your fingers will affect the mat.
Use tweezers to remove materials from the mat. You don’t need to keep this mat super clean. Leave leftover threads on the mat. If you really can’t stand it, try using transfer tape to remove threads or materials from the mat after a project is complete.
Learn about the Cricut Scoring Wheel versus the Cricut Stylus. What is the Cricut Scoring combo wheel? How do you know when to use the Cricut scoring wheel? Can you use the Cricut scoring wheel with a Cricut Explore Air? And so much more!