I have a pretty large sink with a hose, which is very useful for washing tubs.

1. remove the snake
2. throw the newspaper with all crap & whatever the snake leaves behind
3. give the tub a good ol' wash, scrubbing with soap
4. wipe the outside of the tub with a towel (only the outside, I don't want the heat mat to get wet)
5. add newspaper n' water bowl
6. add snake

I don't have a ton of snakes so far, so this doesn't take me long.