i was eager to receive this product since it [SEP] i was eager to receive this product since it is essentially the same as the sigma may but much more affordable however when i received the package i noticed right away there was some material stuck to the mat i tried picking it off with my nails soaking it in hot water wiping a cotton round soaked in rubbing alcohol and nothing removed whatever the white gray material is it s a little gross and i m concerned about using it to clean my brushes the smaller heart shaped silicone cleaner did not have anything stuck to it i tried the makeup sponge included in the product it picked up all my product but even soaked it did not blend product well it had a wicked strong chemical smell to it even though i had washed it first