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Simple question really.

I have GW's gaming mat, and have had it a while. Unfortunately I’m forced to play my games on the floor as I only live in a small one bed flat and I simple do not have the space. I also have a dog that sheds hairs like no tomorrow. As a result the mat got a bit, well, messy.

So the question is can you wash them? in a washing machine to clarify. has anyone tried washing one?

I would start by hand-washing a segment of it and then seeing what happens. I know you can iron it, but I put something between the iron and the mat just to be safe.

I know that if beer is spilled on it, it will be marked forever.

I'd stick with attempting to hand clean first, then light vaccum, and if you want to wash it.. hand wash a corner or the back first to see what happens. Sticking anything GW in a washing machine probably won't end well.

I'd have thought there customer services would be able to help.

The box says it is washable. From what it is made from I would feel confident to wash. The whole time I've had my green mat it hasn't shed one bit. The annoying thing are the wrinkles.

A damp sponge on the back should work fine.

Why not try a lint roller like you use to get dog and cat fur off dark colored clothes?

He should've kept the mat in it's box Says me with 6 cats and 2 dogs running about the house.

12thRonin wrote:Why not try a lint roller like you use to get dog and cat fur off dark colored clothes?

This is an excellent idea. Really cheap and saves you the worry of washing. Plus, whilst one wash might be fine, repeated washing may have an effect and this will avoid that. After all, your dog's not going to get any less hairy and so you'd have to wash it again pretty soon (I have 2 dogs myself, the start of summer is always accompanied by everything in the house suddenly being covered by an inch of dog hair).

The roller is some good thinking. Cheers for the response everyone. I will try the roller first then maybe hand washing.

I have avoided spilling beer on it thus far but that's been lucky. I may police the situation better if it's a nightmare to get out.

A good way to get animal hairs off clothing is to wrap your fist in cellotape or ductape (sticky side outwards) and dab your wrapped fist all over the clothing. The hairs stick to the tape, which you then throw away. I'm assuming the same would work for a gaming cloth, although at 6'x4' it may take a while!