Cricut Explore Setup
When my Cricut mats started losing their stickiness, I wondered how do I make my Cricut mat sticky again. I was very worried and actively searched for a solution to restore the stickiness of Cricut mats. But when I finally learned the method to restore the stickiness of my mat, I was like, “What! Is this what I was worrying about?” I never thought it would be so easy to get stickiness.
Anyway, as the day passed, I saved so much money by reviving the stickiness of my mat. Thus, I want to tell you how you can also do the same thing to save your hard-earned money. In this tutorial, I am going to help you through the entire process as a crafter who uses the Cricut machine frequently.
Top 3 Ways to Protect Your Cricut Mat’s Stickiness
When I found that “How do I make my Cricut mat sticky again?” is the most frequently asked question by people, I decided to cover this topic in detail. Do you know what causes the lack of stickiness in thecutting mat for Cricut? There are two answers. First is frequent usage of the mat and not cleaning it properly. Yes, if you are using the mat frequently, then it will lose the stickiness at one time because nothing is permanent.
Here are some ways that you can try to protect your mat:
1. Use a Lint Roller or Scraper
A lint roller and scraper can be used to remove the debris or scraps present on the mat. But, if you do not have a scraper tool, then you can also use an old credit or debit card.
2. Replace the Protector Sheet
All the Cricut mat comes with a clear layer of protective sheet. One of the main purposes of this sheet is to protect the mat’s stickiness. So, if you notice the dirt present on the sheet, then you can easily wipe it off using baby wipes or a cleansing agent like Windex.
3. Using the Compatible Cricut Mat
You can’t use all types of mats with every material. For example, you should use the LightGrip mat for delicate papers because the adhesive’s strength is lesser than the FabricGrip mat, which offers a strong grip for heavy materials. Hence, choose the mat that is best for your materials otherwise, it can ruin your materials.
These three methods can be used to increase the life of your mat. Now, let me show you how do I make my Cricut mat sticky again.
Types of Cricut Cutting Mats
There are four types of mats, such as Light Grip, Standard Grip, Strong Grip, and Fabric Grip. All of them are suitable for different types of materials. As a result, the process of cleaning varies slightly for all. Below, I am showing you the compatible materials for each mat:
| Types of Mats | Compatible Materials |
| Light Grip (Light-Duty) | Printer paper, vellum, and light cardstock |
| Standard Grip (Medium-Duty) | Patterned paper, vinyl, iron-on and cardstock |
| Strong Grip (Heavy-Duty) | Glitter cardstock, chipboard, poster board, magnet sheet, balsa wood, and leather |
| Fabric Grip | Fabrics |
How to Clean Cricut Mats: 3 Different Methods
As I explained above, there are four types of mats, and the cleaning process is a little different because they include both light-duty and heavy-duty mats. So, let’s delve into the methods below to clean these mats and resolve the question, “How do I make my Cricut mat sticky again.”
Method 1: Clean the Light-Duty Mat With Baby Wipes
In a light-duty mat, you have to use baby wipes. Use it to clean the mat gently in a circular motion, and keep cleaning it until the dirt is removed. If dirt still persists, then you need to use 2 to 3 wipes. Be careful about scratches while cleaning it. Once you have done the cleaning, leave it for some time to dry.
Method 2: Clean the Medium-Duty Mat Using Dish Soap
Use the dish soap and warm water to clean the mat. Follow the steps below:
- First, remove the unwanted materials from the mat using the scraper tool.
- Use the soft dish brush or dishcloth to scrub the mat surface gently in a circular motion.
- In the last step, let it try in the air before using it.
Method 3: Clean the Heavy-Duty Mat With Awesome Spray
The best way to clean heavy-duty cutting mats is to use the awesome spray. Below are the steps on how you can use it.
- Sprinkle the cleaning agent on the mat surface.
- After that, let the liquid sit on the mat for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Then, gently use the scraper tool to remove the excess material.
- Now, you have to rinse the mat with warm water.
This pink mat is specially made for cutting fabrics. The adhesive used in this type of mat is very different from the rest of the mats. In other words, the adhesive on the pink mat is delicate, so don’t try to scratch it. However, you should use the tweezer tool to remove the large piece of residue.
Conclusion
While summing up this blog, I want to say this blog easily answers the question: how do I make my Cricut mat sticky again? Be it a light-duty mat or a heavy-duty mat, each mat requires its own way of cleaning the mat, and I have explained them in detail for each. Also, there are some tips that will help you protect the adhesive. But never use the scraper tool to scratch the pink mat, as it has a delicate adhesive layer.
FAQs
How to wash the Cricut mat to make it sticky again?
This is simple; you only need baby wipes to clean the surface. Also, you need to use alcohol and bleach-free baby wipes to wipe the mat. While cleaning it, you need to rub the entire surface in a circular motion. Once you have cleaned the surface, then you can leave it out to air dry. This way, you can easily remove all the debris present on the mat. Thus, you will be able to restore stickiness.
What is Cricut mat adhesive spray?
The cutting mat adhesive spray contains the liquid that revives the stickiness of the mat. This is the easiest way to restore the adhesive of crafting mats. In case you are using this spray, make sure you remove the protective layer from the top surface of the mat. Then, sprinkle the solution on the mat, and your adhesive will be back.
How frequently should I clean my Cricut mat?
Those who use the mat every day need to clean it more often than someone who crafts occasionally. But, as per my experience, I would say you should clean it only after you have cut anything 2 to 5 times. In addition, it depends on the type of materials you are cutting on the mat, so do clean when you see your mat is not sticking with your material.
For more information visit: Cricut.com/setup explore air 2
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