Having a non-toxic play mat is a must-have item for your baby. These mats give your baby a non-toxic and safe place to play and explore.
Play mats are a great baby gear item for your baby to have. You can use them for tummy time when your baby is new, as he gains muscle control. As your baby gets older, a play mat allows your child to explore his world, and they become a safe play surface.
As much as we love our babies, we can’t hold them all of the time, but having a non-toxic play mat gives you a safe place to lay your baby. These surfaces offer opportunities for your baby to work on cognitive, visual, and gross motor skills.
Unfortunately, traditional play mats contain PVC, which is a toxic form of plastic. So, you have to pick one that is free of dangerous substances. Let’s take a look at what you need to know about the best non-toxic play mats.
Toxic Chemicals in Play Mats
It’s hard to believe something so fun and innocent as a play mat can be full of toxic chemicals, but it’s the truth. Just because something looks adorable and safe for a baby doesn’t mean that it is. Here are some of the toxic chemicals you can find in play mats.
- TPU
- BPA
- Formaldehyde
- Flame Retardants
- Polyurethane Foam
- Plant-Based Foam
- PVC (vinyl)
- Glues
- Phthalates
- Lead
- EVA Foam
It’s easy to fall for some of the greenwashing companies on the market nowadays. They market themselves as safe or natural when they have hidden toxins. You have to be careful and do some research to find the genuinely non-toxic companies.
Criteria for a Non-Toxic Play Mats
How are you supposed to decide what the best non-toxic play mat is? Here are some things to consider to make your decision easier.
Completely Non-Toxic
First and foremost, we want non-toxic! That means it needs to be unquestionably non-toxic without any EVA foam or PVC. That can be a tall order since so many of the options on the market are made with one or the either, but we do have some choices.
Easy to Clean
Babies are messy; there is no way around that fact. Whether it’s a diaper blow out or a spilled drink, your baby will make tons of messes. You don’t want to have to spot clean or struggle to keep it clean. Ideally, the best non-toxic play mat will either be tossed into the washing machine or wiped clean with a damp cloth.
Protection Against Falls
One of the main benefits of a play mat is that it prevents injuries when your baby is playing. It should offer protection against bumps and falls on hardwood floors. If it doesn’t, then you might as well lay a blanket on the floor!
The Size
Ideally, the size of the mat will be large enough that your baby or toddler can play on it. Your small baby is going to get bigger! You want to be able to put his toys on the play mat without having to put the toys back on it repeatedly.
The 9 Best Non-Toxic Play Mats for Babies
You have so many options available, but don’t let it be confusing. We put together a list of the best non-toxic play mats for babies to make it easier for you to decide.
1. Folding Play Mat by CreamHaus
CreamHaus is a transparent company that focuses on the level of toxicity in children’s products. They are open with their toxicity reports; you can find them published on their website. Now, let’s look at their Foldin Play Mat.
The CreamHaus Folding Play Mat is made from Oeko-Tex certified food-grade, low-density polyethylene foam. That is considered one of the safest plastics on the market. CreamHaus uses ten thin layers of PE foam sheets that are laminated together using a chemical-free adhesive method. Plus, it has a polyurethane leather outer cover.
You can purchase the Folding Play Mat in three sizes: 39.5” x 71”, 51” x “79, and 51” x 102”. All of those give your baby plenty of room to play. Despite the larger size, it is lightweight, so you can fold it up and store it away when it’snot in use. It weighs less than 10 lbs, even at the largest size.
A few other things that you might like about the Folding Play Mat include:
- It’s super-thick, measuring 1.6 inches thick, so it protects your baby from bumps and bruises
- The mat is waterproof.
- You can wipe it clean if your baby decides to puke everywhere!
- It’s free of PVC, VPA, EVA, TPE, formaldehyde, flame retardants, phthalates, and lead.
2. Finch & Folk Play Mats
Finch & Folk sells organic play mats made with soft, GOTS-certified organic cotton sateen. Then, the mat is filled with Oeko-Tex certified polyester. It’s hard not to love their play mats; most of them are gender-neutral and are aesthetically made to look great in your child’s bedroom.
This play mat measures 47″ x 47,” and the entire thing is machine washable – seriously! You can toss it in your washing machine if your baby has a diaper explosion. The design linked is to their adorable World Explorer Play Mat, which depicts places and features from all over the world. It’s unique and charming!
While Finch & Folk do use polyester, it is Oeko-Tex certified, so you know that it poses no human health risk. It’s a safer version of polyester than other mainstream brands use, which rarely has third-party certification.
3. Toki Mats
If you want a modern and stylish play mat that is uniquely made, you’ll love Toki Mats. This brand uses natural Dunlop latex, which is made from the sap of rubber trees, which is a material that is slowly growing popular. It’s toxin-free, naturally resistant to bacteria, mildew, mold, and has a springy consistency.
They also offer a 100% organic playmat with a certified organic cotton cover and organic latex. You can add a waterproof cover that is made from 100% Oeko-Tex certified non-toxic bamboo jersey fabric.
Toki Mats measure 40” x 40” and are 1” thick. They weigh approximately 7lbs, which is lightweight enough to take with you or store away when you need to do so. Plus, these mats are free of flame retardants, PVC, phthalates, and lead.
4. Wander & Roam Baby Play Mat
Wander & Roam started when a mom of three kids wanted a safe place for her kids to play. When she couldn’t find what she wanted on the market, she did what any normal mom does – she created one herself.
Their reversible play mats are made of one continuous piece of non-toxic foam that is large enough for your children to enjoy. The mats are thick enough to soften any tumbles or bumps, and they’re designed to be in any room of your home. You can roll them up for easy storage when not in use.
Wander & Roam Play Mats are constructed of non-toxic foam that is free of latex, BPA, PVC, and formamide. They are hypoallergenic, waterproof, and non-flammable. All of their mats are rigorously tested, passing all US and European toy standards.
A few other features of the Wander & Roam Play Mat include:
- Their large mat measures 6.5 ft x 4.5 ft. The round mat is 4.6 ft in diameter.
- The foam is ½” thick, soft enough for falls and play.
- You can wipe up messes easily using a baby wipe or a damp washcloth.
5. Pillobebe Organic Cotton Play Mat
So, you want a play mat that is free of all the dangerous chemicals in traditional ones? The Pillobebe Organic Cotton Play Mat is made with Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified materials. It is free of formamide, PU, PVC, EVA, latex, flame retardants, formaldehyde, phthalates, lead, and other dangerous VOCs.
Their mats come in a 55” square that is made with 100% organic cotton batting, and it’s approximately ½” thick. On the underside of the mat, Pillobebe added anti-slip dots so that the mat can be used on hardwood floors.
Here are some other reasons to try the Pillobebe Organic Cotton Play Mat.
- They offer play mats with gender-neutral, beautiful covers that go well with any home decor. You can find several options!
- The 100% GOTS certified organic cotton cover is removable, and it can be tossed into the washing machine and tumbled dry on low heat.
- There is an invisible zipper at the bottom for a cleverly hidden closure system.
6. Baby Bello Organic Play Mat
Baby Mushroom makes one of the best non-toxic play mats on the market. The Baby Bello Organic Play Mat is a large square that measures 55″ and 1.25″ thick. It is made out of plant-based foam that uses up to ⅓ soybean oil as its polyols. So, that means the other ⅔ is petroleum-based polyurethane foam.
We know that you’re concerned with polyurethane foam because it is connected to health problems. Baby Mushroom says that their mat is VOC-tested, but we have no way to verify their claims.
A few other facts to know about the Baby Bello include:
- It weighs 7.2 pounds, so it’s not too heavy that you can’t quickly move it around.
- There is a removable, 100% organic non-dyed cotton cover that you can machine wash and dry on low heat.
- There is a waterproof protective layer that is made of PVC-free vinyl and non-toxic, medical-grade stretch knit fabric with seams sewn for anti-bacterial and dust-mite protection.
- Baby Bello is free of phthalates, latex, BPA, PVC, and flame retardants.
7. Yay Mats Extra-Large Baby Play Mat
Having a non-toxic play mat shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg. Yay Mats are designed for you and your home, so they not only provide a safe place to crawl, but they also feature stylish, modern designs. These mats enhance the aesthetics of your home while still providing protection.
Yay Mats are made up of six 2 ft x 2 ft squares, so when they’re put together, they cover a large area! Their fully assembled set covers a play space of 6 ft by 4 ft. All of their mats are 100% waterproof, easy to clean, and built to last. Parents have to wipe away messes with a wet cloth.
As for the materials used, Yay Mats are made of high-density hypoallergenic foam that is 100% non-toxic. The materials are free of lead, BPAs, and phthalates, meeting the highest safety standards of EVA foam worldwide.
A few other features to consider about Yay Mats include:
- They’re lightweight, weighing only 3lbs.
- The mats have interlocking teeth that allow you to make the play area as big as you want.
- You can assemble the mat in a matter of minutes.
8. MyLine Baby Play Mat
MyLine Play Mat is made from food-grade materials – XPE foam – and it’s a waterproof, easy to clean the mat. You never have to worry that it will hold onto any stink smells, plus it’s one of the most affordable mats on the market. MyLine is also an excellent option for hardwood floors because of the non-slip grip on the bottom of the mat.
Unlike some of the other play mats on the market, this one is visually stimulating. It has an array of vibrant colors, characters, letters, and numbers. All of the colors help develop your baby’s visual and motor skills develop.
Here are some other features of the MyLine Baby Play Mat.
- It measures 78” x 70” x 0.6”.
- This mat is free of BPA, phthalates, latex, and lead.
- It’s waterproof and easy to clean.
9. Comfort Design Mats Premium Stylish Foam Floor Mat
The last play mat on our list is by Comfort Design Mats. They sell a large, one-piece mat that measures 6.5 ft x 4.5 ft, and it’s ½” thick. The waffle-like texture means that it’s nice and comfortable for your baby to play on while insulating your child from the cold floor.
This play mat passed CPSIA safety requirements. It’s made of non-toxic, high-quality TPU foam that is non-flammable. You can vacuum or sweep it up, spot clean, or mop it!
Comfort Design Mats are non-toxic, free of PVC, EVA, BPA, latex, formaldehyde, flame retardant, or other dangerous chemicals. That might mean that this mat isn’t as firm as some of the other mats, but it feels similar to memory foam with a durable outer layer.
A few other features to consider include:
- It weighs 12lbs, so it’s heavier than some of the other mats.
- The mat is reversible with the same design on both sides.
- There are 12 designs available that you can pick.
Picking the Best Non-Toxic Play Mat
Finding the best non-toxic play mat means you have to do a lot of research. Sometimes, companies sneak chemicals into the products even though they are supposed to be chemical-free. Take a look at our suggestions and give one of them a try if you want a safe, non-toxic play mat for your baby.
1 Comment
Lisa
You list TPU as a toxic material, but then you suggest play mats that use TPU. What is the justification why these TPU mats are ok and any different from typical TPU manufacturing and off gassing?