Great question! First of all, you never have to put your play mat in the washing machine. You simply wipe it clean with a  baby wipe, Kleenex, or wet cloth and it dries in minutes! We don't recommend wiping it with toilet paper, as the product will crumble and get caught in the surface of the mat. You can also use your cleaning product of choice, such as rubbing alcohol, if you want to disinfect it. The closed cell technology of the mat will not allow any products to grow on or inside the mat, so you can feel confident that your mat is always hygienic! If you are experiencing a heavy flow or are someone who releases a lot of fluid during sex, I recommend a mid-coitus cleaning of the mat! Keep some baby wipes or Kleenex by the bed, and simply lift your pelvis and wipe the area underneath it with the wipe if you feel uncomfortable with the amount of fluid there. Most women, however, don't secret as much fluid or blood as they imagine they do, and the mat will keep it in place so you can enjoy the sex you're having and worry about clean up when everyone is finished. Enjoy your easy-to-clean Adult Play Mat!