I have yet to bathe my mat. As long as it's wiped off after use and I use a microfiber cloth unless it's dirty but ran across a receipt this morning, going through an old box. My mat was 15 years old (my Fiskars). I've had my June Tailor for longer, ironing surface on one side and cutting mat on the other. Then I have a 12" rotating mat. I like it too. I just wipe them off. I usually cover the surfaces if I'm going to spray or glue with anything. I use a vinyl table cloth to cover the surface.