This invention refers to a disposable place mat (1) made of embossed paper bearing publicity on its upper face, in order for said place mat to be used as a form of protection of the table or tray, as a publicity means and at the same time serve as a device for cleaning trays or tables at restaurants. This invention is mainly intended for fast-food restaurants or restaurants with high client turnover, where the serving staff set place mats on the trays or tables, in order for them to serve as a tablecloth acting as a barrier between the tray or table and the plate on which food is served. In general these types of place mats have some sort of publicity printed on the surface of the upper face (2). However, the problem that arises, both for the staff and the user, is that said mat cannot be used as a cleaning device, so that special absorbent cloths have to be used for that purpose. Moreover, the place mat, as it is made of paper, is disposable, is thrown away and loses its ability to act as a cleaning device. To this aim, the use of embossed paper for the manufacturing of said disposable place mat is proposed.