I have been using Aleene's Tack it OVer and over it mixed with water and paint it on the mat after i wash it (the mat) is does work for awhile. There are other posts where others have done something similar.

My name is Shelly. I just started using my Cricut, my husband gave me for Christmas this year and I love, love my mini! I cut daily.

I have found a couple of tricks to extend the life of my sticky mat.

1) I take an old "sturdy" credit card or gift card and scrap my mat before placing my paper on it. The mat tends to pick up a lot of fuzzy lint from using verious types of paper. I do use some controled presure but I only scrape over the same area once or twice to get the desired results. I always cover my mat with it's original clear plastic sheet while not using it. Dust and dirt also tends to stick to the mat.

2) I have used warm heat to bring back much of the trackiness. Warming it with a hair dryer works well. I never use high heat or high power. I want to maintain the integrity of the mat itself and worry the high power or high heat will cause the mat to become brittle. The glue seems to like the warmth because the mat gets nice and tacky after. Once the mat is warmed up I quickly place my paper on it. other wise, once the air cools it down, it loses its strength.

I have heard someone using a two-way glue pen by making tiny random dots over the surface. They said to space the dots between 2" to 4" inches apart and only use this method sparenly. I dont want to mess with this possibility, especially since I get great results with my two suggestions.

Hope this helps!

Shelly
From one newby to another :-)

Even when you think you are ready lose all hope for the mats ability to serve it's intended use, turn it over and use it as a work surface to glue, glitter, cut. There is still enough sticky left (maybe) that it keeps it from sliding around on your work surface while you get a little more extended use from the back. It can take a little more abuse before sending it to file 13.

I have even read where ladies will cut them up and use for stabilizers in purses, bags and such when a sturdy reenforcement is needed in a project. I haven't had the need to do this for myself but seems like the material would be perfect for this.

I have restuck my mat over and over - i have NEVER had any problem with it sticking to anything in my machine - for heavens sake what are some of you using! LOL - I use the Wide glue that is blue and turns clear - can't think of the name right now. Also bought some Aleens tack it over and over but have not redone with that yet - Mainly you have to let it dry - do it at the end of the day and let it dry all night -if it is too sticky take you hands and put them all over - the oil from your hands will make it less sticky -

My mat is very new and i had to restick it once so far. I use the Zig 2 glue stick which i really like. Its really sticky at first and all i do is put my hand on it a couple times to take some of the sticky away.

My name is Kat and I have had my Cricut for a few months now, and I have to had to restick the mat just a couple of times. I have used the warm water with soap and blow-dryer effect and it has worked out great for me. After I clean it with warm soapy water and then I blow-dry the mat and I put the plastic mat cover so it doesn't lose its stickiness, until I need to use it. I have seen a few ladies that would put spray can adhesive on theirs... I am just to afraid to put any adhesive on it... for fear voiding the warranty. I would rather use soap and water before I spray anything on my mat and voiding out the warranty! I haven't been on much lately because we moved in November and I haven't been feeling the greatest too! ttyl~ kat