How to wash and care for your Elan self-healing cutting mat

A self-healing mat lasts for years if you clean it now and then. Threads and fibres pressed into the surface stop it from closing up after a cut, and a dry, dirty mat is harder on your blade. The whole routine takes about half an hour, most of it soaking.

Step 1: Brush out the threads and fibres

Go over the mat with a soft brush. An old toothbrush works well. It lifts out the dust and the small fibres that collect in the cut lines. Use light pressure: scrubbing hard can scratch the surface.

Step 2: Soak it in cool water

Lay the mat flat in a bathtub or a large tray and cover it with cool water. Hot water can warp it. Leave it to soak for 15 to 20 minutes. If you like, add a splash of white vinegar, about one part vinegar to four parts water, and a drop of washing-up liquid.

If the mat is too big to lie flat, let it curve gently and turn it every few minutes so the whole surface gets wet.

There is nothing to moisturise it with: the soak itself is what keeps the mat supple. A clean, supple mat is also kinder to your rotary cutter, because the blade runs over a smoother surface and stays sharp for longer.

Step 3: Rinse and dry it flat

Rinse off the soap and vinegar with clean water. Pat the mat dry with a towel or let it air dry. Keep it flat the whole time, from soaking to drying, so it does not take on a bend.