Yes, mostly placemats are washable. The difference is based on the type of material they are made of. For instance, placemats made of plastics or vinyl will need an entirely different cleaning process than placemats made of cloth or fabric while other materials like wicker, cork, or bamboo will need a bit more careful and gentle cleaning, hence not recommended for a machine wash. And even if you are about to do a machine wash to your silk or cotton placemat, put them in a separate run. Also, use mild detergent for washing and make sure the water temperature is neither too high nor too low. Only this way, you can manage the actual look and feel of the mat for a long.