106 and rotating union 93 cold water is merely circulated through the rolls during use so as to cool the mat backing and assure against warpage and distortion a belt conveyor 34 transports the mats out of the drying section 18 positioned above belt conveyor 34 is a final hot air blast assembly 36 which directs its hot air blast against the nap of the mat this hot air blast is generally necessary since while the mats are warm some water is retained within the hot air and as the mats leave the drying section 18 some condensate is obtained which can then be removed by the hot air blast the hot air blast further fluffs the nap of the mat thereby avoiding the necessity of a separate fluffing roll such as assembly 28 which if utilized is placed above the pass line since the mat is nap side up other auxiliary equipment can be utilized such as a final oil spray on the dry mat to control dust during use further the belt conveyor 34 can extend throughout the drying section to convey the mats therethrough the operation of the apparatus includes feeding a mat nap side down through an entry station including a top beater a washing station including counterrotating washing brushes a rinse tank having feed rollers and spray nozzles and thereafter conveying the mat to a lower level which inverts the mat and communicates the mat with a plurality of drying rolls in which.