In this era of capitalism, most of us live on a very tight budget. We get one thing and try to make it last for as long as it possibly can. Jeans are torn, shoes have budding holes and all our furniture has been run ragged.
No one likes to come back down to a house that’s half falling apart. We work hard all day, and when we come back, we want to sit in a place that makes us feel warm and comfortable. When we sit on our couches we want to feel warm and comfortable, when we sink our feet into our rugs, we want them to feel soft and gentle, not dry and tattered.
Likewise, when we work in the kitchen for hours, we want to have a soft, pretty mat under our feet. We need something that makes it comfortable, but also something that looks pretty. Luckily, too many of us have the same issue so we have come up with solutions to benefit all for us!
Recycling Old Mat
Well, if you’ve been living in the same space for a bit, you’re probably tired of looking at the same thing over and over again. Maybe you’ve thought about changing things up, but your budget hasn’t allowed you to take that step. We all know what it’s like- we’ve all been there. No need to worry though, with this article, you’ll be able to revamp your mat in no time!
The first thing you need to do is figure out what kind of mat you want- is it anti-fatigue, is it something you want for your dog, or is it something that just needs to be comfortable under your feet?
Cloth Mats
If it’s your rubber mats that you want to recycle into cloth mats, then this is the easiest thing you’re about to do! With five simple steps items, you’ll have a brand-new recycled mat!
Step 1: Take your old mat and figure out if you want to keep the original shape. If it’s rectangular, you’re probably tired of it by now. Perhaps an octagonal or square shape? Perhaps a circle or a diamond? Whatever shape you want to make, just take your scissors and snip away!
Step 2: take the fabric you want to use and measure it out. Lay it out against your mat and mark the edges leaving about 2 inches extra on all sides. When it’s marked, just cut the fabric out!
Step 3: Use an adhesive spray (easily available on amazon- any company works!) and apply it generously on your mat. Apply it on the underside of your fabric as well. Now, all you need to do is place them both together!
Don’t forget to carefully smooth out all creases- you want your mat to look as great as possible!
Step 4: You want to make sure that your fabric stays as clean as possible so it’s best to seal it. So, all you need is a water-based sealant to protect it and prevent it from yellowing.
Step 5: Yes! This is the last step and now your mat is almost complete! Just turn your mat over and fold the extra fabric left over the edges. Spray your adhesive on the fabric and the mat, and for good measure, use tape to pin the edges onto the mat. There it is- you’re done!
With five simple steps, you can successfully revamp all the mats in your house! Maybe you want all your mats to match- this is your chance! Take it!
Bonus!!
You can make entirely new mats like this with just the purchase of a rubber mat runner!
Anti-Fatigue Mats
A replacement for anti-fatigue mats can be found in recycling old yoga mats. While there are obvious differences in the material, yoga mats are made to be comfortable for standing on for long hours. That’s exactly what you need in your kitchen!
If you’ve given up on exercise then this is the best way to get your money’s worth from your old yoga mat. Or maybe it’s time to get a new one. Either way, it’s easy, it’s in front of you, and it’ll make a wonderful back for your customized mat!
This method is very similar to the above method- if you learn one, you’ll be proficient in making mats in no time!
Step 1: Spread out your yoga mat and figure out your design. Maybe you want to make multiple mats so lay out the yoga mat and figure out the best shapes that’ll make the most possible mats. Then start cutting!
Step 2: You don’t have money for more fabric- that’s fine! Look in your store, maybe you have some remaining cotton cloth, maybe you have some old bedsheets. Take them out, and decide which one looks best and then get designing!
Step 3, 4, and 5 are exactly the same as the ones for your cloth mats. All you need to do is get some sealant, adhesive spray, and duct tape- after that your mat will be ready to adorn your kitchen!
Not looking for recycling?
Maybe you weren’t looking for cloth patterns, or maybe you just don’t want to recycle old stuff. That’s fine. If you’re like the rest of us and want to start from scratch and make your DIY rug without ruining your old stuff, there’s a whole article we have for you to help you with this.
For the rest of us who needed to recycle our old mats and ended up with these new, beautiful mats, don’t forget to take good care of them! We tread on mats all day and it’s natural for them to wear out in a short time so make sure to read up on how to take care of your mats.
If all else fails and you want a different mat, don’t shy away from either revamping again or DIYing your mat!