How to Care for Your Valeria Card Kingdoms Playmat
By Daily Magic Games | Published: 2026-10-16
Category: Tips & Care
Keep your Valeria playmat flat, clean, and ready to play. Learn how to handle spills, creases, and storage for both single-sided and double-sided mats.
Quick answer
Clean your Valeria playmat with a soft, slightly damp cloth and mild soap, then air dry it flat. Store it rolled loosely or flat, never folded, and keep drinks off the table. For the double-sided playmat, treat both sides with the same care because the art is printed on each face.
Why playmat material matters more than the spill
Valeria playmats are cloth-topped with a rubber backing. That surface holds up to normal play but not to soaking. When liquid sits on the cloth, it wicks into the fibers and can reach the printed art. The rubber backing keeps the mat from sliding, so the real risk is what stays on top. Blot first, then clean. Never scrub hard enough to lift the print or fray the edge. If a spill contains sugar or alcohol, dilute it with a damp cloth before it dries, because sticky residue attracts dust and can make cards drag.
Cleaning steps that won't damage the art
Use two cloths: one damp with a drop of mild dish soap in lukewarm water, one dry. Wipe in straight lines from the center outward, not in circles, so you do not push grit into the weave. For dried residue, hold a damp cloth on the spot for thirty seconds to soften it, then lift gently. Rinse the cloth and wipe again with plain water to remove soap film. Air dry flat on a clean towel, art side up, away from direct sun. Do not use a dryer, iron, or heated drying rack. The rubber backing can warp with heat, and the printed surface can crack if it dries too fast.
Storage that prevents creases and curl
Roll the playmat loosely around a cardboard tube or a clean poster tube, art side facing out, then secure it with a soft strap. Do not use rubber bands, because they leave dents over time. If you prefer flat storage, stack it under a board or between two clean sheets of cardboard. Avoid folding, even for travel, because a sharp fold presses the cloth into the rubber and leaves a ridge that cards catch on. Keep the mat out of hot cars and away from radiators. If the mat has already curled at the edges, roll it in the opposite direction for a day, then lay it flat with a few books on the corners.
Playmat problem diagnosis
- Sticky or tacky surface: Likely cause: sugary drink or alcohol residue left after a spill. Corrective action: wipe with a cloth dampened with mild soap and lukewarm water, then wipe again with plain water and air dry flat. If the stickiness remains after two gentle cleanings, stop. Further scrubbing can lift the print. Use a thin desk mat over the playmat instead.
- Edge curl or a ridge across the middle: Likely cause: the mat was folded or stored near heat. Corrective action: roll it in the opposite direction for a day, then lay it flat under books. For a ridge, lay a clean cloth over the area and press with a warm (not hot) iron for a few seconds. If the ridge still catches cards after a week of flat storage, the fold has set into the rubber. Replace the mat rather than risk card damage.
- Faded card zones or dull art: Likely cause: repeated harsh cleaners, abrasive cloths, or long sun exposure. Corrective action: switch to a soft microfiber cloth and mild soap only, and store the mat out of direct sun. Fading cannot be reversed. If the card positioning graphics are no longer clear, a new playmat is the practical fix.
Mats and expansions that affect your care routine
- Valeria: Card Kingdoms Single-Sided Playmat: This 18” x 24” playmat features bright colorful art from The Mico, the artist for all of the Valeria games. It has card positioning graphics overlayed and provides an extra row at the top that you can use for the Agents expansion cards. The printed card zones and extra row mean you should clean around those graphics carefully, because heavy rubbing can dull the positioning lines that help you set up the game.
- Valeria: Card Kingdoms Double-Sided Playmat: This 18” x 24” playmat is double-sided, with Darksworn on one side and Crimson Seas on the other side. Each side contains portions of a world map showing Valeria’s western and eastern shores and ocean to give you a better idea about the world in which the Valeria games take place. Because both sides carry printed art, you cannot flip the mat to hide a spill. Clean both faces with the same gentle method and store it so neither side presses into a fold.
- Valeria: Card Kingdoms Expansion Pack #03: Agents: Agents is an expansion where players must seize the opportunity to capitalize on the special abilities that the Agents provide. Once an agent is used, they go to the bottom of the deck and a new agent is revealed. If you use the single-sided playmat’s extra top row for Agents cards, keep that area free of snacks and drinks so the revealed agent cards do not pick up grease or crumbs.
