Are you all wondering how to clean Cricut Standard Grip mat? Over time, Cricut mats get dirty and lose their grip. Hence, you will need to make it thoroughly and re-stick it. Many users don’t realize that they can clean their Cricut mats and save money for months. I’m here to teach you how to clean your mat and use it a few more times.
In this blog, I’ll be sharing with you the two main types of methods for cleaning a Standard Grip mat and restoring its stickiness once again. Also, I’ll share my personal tips and tricks to clean mats effortlessly.
Before discussing methods to clean Cricut mats, I want to share some important things with you to give you an idea of how to clean your Cricut mat. Let’s get started with the full guide on how to clean Cricut mat.
When to Clean a Cricut Cutting Mat?
As you know, Cricut mats are sticky mats that can hold the materials before they are moved into the Cricut machine. Currently, there are four main types of cutting mats with different types of adhesiveness. Generally, you should clean a mat when it starts wearing out. On average, a Cricut mat lasts for at least 40-50 uses. So, you don’t have to worry about cleaning every time.
What Do You Need While Cleaning Cricut Mats?
There are some of the items you will need while cleaning Cricut mats, depending on the type of cleaning method you use. Here is a list of the common tools and supplies you will need.
- Plastic scraper tool
- Baby wipes (alcohol-free)
- Lint roller
- Dish brush
- Dish soap
How to Clean Cricut Standard Grip Mat?
As I have already told you, there are two methods for cleaning your Cricut mats. These two methods are light duty and medium duty. Choose the cleaning method depending on the condition of your mat.
I want to tell you one more thing: the methods that I’m gonna talk about will not work on the pink FabricGrip mat. So, here we go.
Method 1: Light-Duty Mat Cleaning
As the name says it all, it’s a light type of cleaning method that you can use for the maintenance of your Cricut mat. Let’s see what items I use while using this method with my mat. So, I basically use three things- a scraper tool, baby wipes, and a lint roller.
To clean the mat, you will need alcohol-free baby wipes to wipe off the surface of your mat without affecting its adhesiveness. Use these steps to learn how to clean Cricut Standard Grip mat.
- First of all, take baby wipes and apply them on your mat in a circular motion to clean up the full surface.
- If you think that the mat is too dirty, you can use at least 2-3 baby wipes.
- Then, apply them with gentle pressure and be aware not to scratch the adhesive.
Also, ensure that you air dry your mat before using the baby wipes. To dry up your mat,
place it on a drying rack or hang it vertically. Avoid using heat that can damage your mat. Moreover, don’t wipe your mat with a towel that can stick the lint on your mat.
Method 2: Heavy-Duty Mat Cleaning
If your mat isn’t cleaned by the light method, you can go for more heavy cleaning, such as with soap and water. Ensure that you use lukewarm water instead of cold water. Here are the steps on how to clean Cricut mat with dish soap.
- First of all, use a plastic scraper or card to take off the debris from your Cricut mat.
- Then, place your mat on a flat surface.
- Now, gently scrub off your mat’s surface in a circular motion with a dish brush.
- After that, use a microfiber cloth to clean up your mat.
- Next, place your mat in lukewarm water after scrubbing.
- Lastly, leave the mat to dry before using it.
If your Cricut mat is too dirty, you can choose this rigorous method of cleaning the mat. Plus, you can also use some products to clean up your Cricut mat. Finally, you know how to clean Cricut Standard Grip mat.
When Should You Clean a Cricut Cutting Mat?
It depends on the frequency of using a Cricut mat. If you use a Cricut mat almost every day, you will need to clean it more often. But, if you use it rarely, depending on your mood, you don’t need to clean it more often.
Usually, Cricut mats should be cleaned after 2-5 cuts according to the material you use. But, there is no hard and fast rule in it. You can clean it anytime when you find it a little dirty or non-sticky. I usually use materials that leave a handful of debris, like glitter vinyl, felt, and leather. That’s why I choose heavy-duty cleaning.
Moreover, if you cut wood and hard materials often with your mat, you will need to clean it more often than those who use smooth materials.
Conclusion
Do you all understand how to clean Cricut Standard Grip mat? I have shared the easiest steps to clean a mat. If you are a craft enthusiast and often use a Cricut mat, you will need to clean it more often than those who don’t. The cleaning method will depend on your mat’s condition. Go for light cleaning if it’s not too dirty, and opt for heavy-duty cleaning; it has started losing its adhesiveness. So when you know how to make sticky mat adhesive again, try it once.