How do you clean a desk mat?

Spot clean with a damp cloth, mild soap and light pressure, then air dry flat. Do not put it in a washing machine or a tumble dryer.

A polyester mat with a rubber base lasts years with almost no maintenance. The failure modes are heat, agitation and impatience, in that order.

Routine cleaning

Damp cloth, mild soap, light pressure. Work with the weave rather than scrubbing across it. Rinse the cloth and go over it again to lift the soap.

Drying

Air dry flat, face up, away from direct sun and off a radiator. Heat is what separates a rubber base from its backing, and that damage cannot be undone.

Spills

Blot, do not rub. Rubbing pushes liquid through the weave into the backing, where it takes far longer to dry and can leave a ring.

What to avoid

• Washing machines and tumble dryers
• Bleach and solvent cleaners
• Ironing, or any direct heat
• Storing rolled for long periods - store flat where you can

Getting a mat flat again

Lay it face up on a hard flat surface, weight the corners evenly with books, and leave it overnight. It will relax.