Researching play mats since 2013 | Post updated May 2019
A few months after my first daughter was born I learned that some baby products were made with questionable materials and some of these products leached harmful chemicals that could possibly affect the health of my kid. I was not happy to learn this and started looking for non-toxic alternatives.
One of the most important things I sought out to find was a non-toxic baby play mat because my daughter was on a mat a big chunk of the day. In 2013 when I first wrote this post there weren’t many options but the demands of parents looking for non-toxic alternatives have risen and now there are several options. I update this post every 6 months (or so) with my findings since this is a topic I’m pretty passionate about.
When I was pregnant with my first I got an EVA foam mat, the We Sell Mats 36 Sq Ft Alphabet and Number Floor Mat. However, after reading about the recall on foam mats in Europe on 2011 I did not feel too happy with having a foam mat because EVA foam mats have been known to contain formamide. If you want to learn more about eva foam mats read here.
I did contact the manufacturer of this specific mat and they send me over their reports: Report 1 & Report 2. The problem with this type of testing is that it doesn’t really tell us if it contains any toxins. The materials on the mat have to pass a certain level to be considered non-toxic, meaning they are not saying that they in fact don’t contain chemicals (formamide in this case), they are just saying they don’t contain above a certain amount. Therefore, even though these type of mats don’t seem dangerous I just can’t recommend any EVA foam mats.
During my research, I came across Panda Mat
Now there are a lot more options of non-toxic play mats and since I’ve been working on this post since 2013 there have been changes to this list. If you no longer see a brand listed here it’s because they stopped selling their product, their mat didn’t hold up well or they changed their materials.
These are the non-toxic play mats I’ve found:
- MyLine Baby PlayMat (best value but there are other mats made with better materials)
- The Folding Mat (read my review), the Modular Mat and the Inua Bumber Mat by CreamHaus (see all the products they offer here and save 10% by using the code MAMAINSTINCTS10)
- Organic Cotton Play Mat
by Pillobebe. (Read my reviews on Corkimat and Organic Cotton Play Mat.)
- Kutchu Play Mat
- Organic Play Mat by Organic designs
- Spiritual Revolution Eco-Friendly Yoga Mat (has a regular and kid version)
- Baby Bello Organic
playmat
- Nook LilyPad
**You can find detailed information for each mat below.
My favorite mats are:
- The Folding Mat or Modular Mat by CreamHaus: These mats are made with the same materials but the size and shape is different. I love these because they are thickest mats I’ve seen, they are large and are waterproof so it’s extremely easy to keep clean. They’re pretty light and are foldable so it’s easy to move. They also double as a gym mat for my older kid.
- The Inua Bumber Mat by CreamHaus: This is a pretty unique play mat and a perfect solution if you’re looking for a play pen, a ball pit or a toddler nap map. I love that it keeps my kiddo in one area and the toys are not all over our living room because we keep them in there. Plus it’s the most original play mat I’ve ever seen.
- MyLine Baby PlayMat: I love this one because it is one piece, light weight and one of the biggest mats I’ve seen. My favorite feature is that it’s so easy to clean and that it’s the most affordable on this list.
I think it’s important to mention that there are a some mats that claim to be non-toxic and even have reports showing they are, however they are made with PVC and PVC is NOT considered non-toxic so if you do end up getting these mats keep that in mind. These mats are:
- Dwinguler Eco-friendly Kids Play Mat claims to be non-toxic (you can find their safety reports here) it is made from PVC.
- Baby Care Play Mat
, which is another mat that’s very popular and claims to be non-toxic (see the reports here), is made out of PVC.
- The Lollaland Play Mat
, which recently came into the market, is made by Dwinguler, which makes PVC mats.
To find more detailed information on each mat, see below.
Click on the name of the mat to learn more about the product and for purchasing information.
ORGANIC PLAY MATS
CorkiMat
by Pillobebe:
This mat is made out of tile squares that you can velcro together, so price will vary depending on the size you want. There are 2 version of this mat: CorkiMat Original & CorkiMat Lite. The original is made with natural cork with bamboo and organic cotton padding while the Lite uses hypoallergenic polyester padding. Each tile measures approximately 19″ x 19 x 1″.
Mat features:
- Corkimat Original: Made of Cork and bamboo fibers that are naturally Soft, Organic, Eco-friendly, Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Anti-fungal and Naturally flame-retardant.
- Corkimat Lite: Made out of 100% hypoallergenic polyester padding.
- Removable cover: 100% GOTS Certified Organic Cotton
- Padding: Natural Cork, Bamboo fibers, Organic Cotton
- Free of Formamide, Fire-retardants, PVC, BPA, PBS, Formaldehyde, Phthalates, Lead, and harmful VOCs
- Breathable Water-resistant Insert
- Modules are easily connected by Anti-slip Velcro strips
- Easy to stack, travel and store
This mat definitively my favorite when it comes to non-toxic and organic materials. However, because it’s made out of fabric it gets pretty dirty. After 2 years of having this mat we tossed it out because of all the stains. Check out my detailed review on this mat here.
Organic Cotton Play Mat by Pillobebe:
Organic Cotton Play Mat
This mat measures approximately 55″ X 55″. You can get with 2 types of inserts/padding and the thickness of the mat will vary according to that. It’s 1″ thick with the Natural Bamboo/Cotton and approximately 1/2″ thick with the Hypoallergenic Polyester.
Mat features:
- Eco-friendly Non-toxic materials, No flame retardant chemicals
- Free of Formamide, Fire-retardants, PVC, BPA, PBS, Formaldehyde, Phthalates, Lead, and harmful VOCs
- Facing & Backing: 100% GOTS Certified Organic Cotton Designer print
- Removable cover for easy washing
- Water-resistant cover on padding
- Anti-slip feature
- Invisible zipper at the bottom (Hidden closure system)
- Handmade in USA
This is on my top two mats! I absolutely love it and if I had to chose my favorite mat from Pillobebe it would be this one. However, because it’s made out of fabric it gets pretty dirty. We still have this mat after 2 years but it looks pretty beat up. Check out my review on it to see if it’s the right fit for you family.
Nook LilyPad:
Measures 40″.
Mat features:
- Made of: eucalyptus, organic cotton
- Machine washable
- Breathable
- Non-toxic, hypoallergenic, microbe-resistant, anti-mite
- Water and stain resistant
Baby Bello Organic Play Mat:
Measures 55 x 55 x 1.5 inches.
Mat features:
- Weighs 7.2 lbs
- 100% Organic Cotton Cover
- Non-toxic Waterproof Layer: made of vinyl/PVC free non-toxic medical grade stretch knit fabric
- 1.25″ Thick Plant Based Foam: The core of the play mat is made of plant based foam (polyurethane foam that uses up to 1/3 of soybean oil as its polyols), VOC tested (off gas), and contains no Tris or Nanoparticle.
- Made in USA
- Organic, Non-Toxic and Hypoallergenic, Made of Eco Friendly Materials.
- Easy to Maintain- Rolls Up for Storage, Machine Washable Cover, protective waterproof layer
- Phthalate Free, Latex Free, BPA Free, vinyl/PVC free
- Both foam and waterproof cover were material tested and passed VOC (off gas) and heavy metal content.
- Not treated with flame retardants.
Organic Play Mat by Organic designs:
Measures 54″ x 40″.
Mat features:
- This is more of a comforter that can also be used as a playmat, so it’s made of fabric which you can fold and throw in the washer
- Made out of 100% certified organic cotton fabric, filled with organic filling and backed with organic flannel
- Handmade in the US
NOT ORGANIC (BUT NON-TOXIC) PLAY MATS
CreamHaus play mats:
This is one of the few companies that posts their lab test results online proving they are completely non-toxic.
These are mats:
- Free of PVC, BPA, EVA, TPE, Formamide, Flame-Retardants, Phthalates, Lead.
- Free of following volatile organic compounds: Formaldehyde, Toluene, Formamide, N-dimethyformamide, 2-Ethylhexoic Acid, Butyl hydroxy toluene, 2-Methoxyethanol.
- Waterproof and very easy to clean
- Lightweight so they’re easy to move around
- Very thick – they are the thickest mat on this list
- They fold up so it’s easy to store
- Non-slip
- Exceeds US and European standards
I really trust this brand and would feel safe getting any of their products. I have personally tried The Folding Mat (read my review), the Modular Mat and the Inua Bumber Mat.
CreamHaus is offering a 10% off code exclusive to our readers.
Use MAMAINSTINCTS10 on your next purchase.
Here’s what differentiates each mat:
The Folding Mat:
- Weighs 9.3 lbs
- Comes in 2 sizes: 51in x 79in and 51in x 102in
- Folds up for storage
- Material: Recyclable Foam with Premium PU Leather Cover
- Read my review on this mat here.
- If you’re looking for a mat that could double as a gym mat, this is a great option since it’s thick enough and large enough.
The Modular Mat:
- Comes in sets of 4 individual cubes so you can make it as small or as large as you’d like
- Each cube has velcro strips that attach to each other
- Each square measures: 25.6 in x 25.6 in x 1.6 in
- Each square weighs: 1.5 lb
- Material: Recyclable Foam with Premium PU Leather Cover, Velcro Strips
The Inua Bumber Mat:
- It’s a play mat that doubles as a nap mat. Can also be used as a play pen or ball pit. It has a very unique design and worth checking out. One of the most original and versatile mats I’ve ever seen.
- Size: 63 in x 43 in x 16 in
- Weighs: 17.5 lbs
- Comes with base mat, bumpers and mobile arms
- Material: Base Play Mat – Recyclable Foam with 100% Cotton Cover, Side Bumpers: Compressed Cotton and Recyclable Foam with 100% Cotton Cover
MyLine Baby PlayMat:
Measures 78.7 x 0.6 x 70.9 inches. There is an extra thick
Mat features:
- Weighs 6 lbs.
- Pass U.S. CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) tests.
- Made food grade material(XPE). This is a fairly new material and it’s supposed to be safe for baby. If you’re worried about using something fairly new I would stick to the mats on the organic section.
- Hygienic, Non-toxic (Food Grade Material), and absolutely no smell.
- Soft, slip resistant. Prevent baby from hard floor surfaces.
- WaterProof and easy to clean. Keep baby away from bacteria, germs, and bugs.
- Material: BPA Free, Phthalate Free, Latex Free, Lead Free, Flame Retardant Free.
This is the mat I ended up buying 3+ years ago. We still use it daily and it’s holding up great. Plus I love how light it is and how easy it is to clean it.
Kutchu Play Mat:
Measures 130 x 168 cm (approx. 4.25 x 5.5 ft), and 5 mm thick (3/16 in).
Mat features:
- Natural rubber, a safe and eco-friendly choice.
- Non-toxic and non-hazardous for use by children: free from phthalates and chemical flame retardants that can be found in synthetic materials.
- It contains no plastics, vinyls, or any petro chemicals – so no phthalates, formamide, no fire retardants, no BPA or VOCs.
- The colour of the mat is achieved with food grade colouring.
- Safety tested and certified to meet all North-American toy safety standards.
- Renewable resource: comes from the sap of the rubber tree.
- Biodegradable: will not leave a permanent footprint in the landfill after its useful life.
- Non-slip, soft and comfortable cushioned landing for tots learning to sit, stand or walk.
- Easy to care for and clean; simply wipe with a damp cloth.
- Rolls up and away for easy storage; great for a condo or apartment, the cottage, or multi-purpose spaces.
Spiritual Revolution Eco-Friendly Yoga Mat
:
This company makes regular yoga mats as well as kid mats. The difference between these 2 is the size. The kid mat measures: 48″ x 24″ x 3mm thick and the regular mat measures: 68″ long x 24″ wide x 4 mm thick.
Mat features:
- Non-toxic and eco-friendly.
- Made with 100% biodegradable, recylable, eco-friendly, natural tree rubber, bonded to an ultra-absorbent suede cloth top made from recycled water bottles.
- 100% PVC-Free and phalates.
- The utlra-suede cloth is made from recycled water bottles. Even the wrapper is made from bidegradeable plastic.
- Inspirational limited edition design that are digitally transposed onto your yoga mat with eco-friendly, water-based inks.
- Anti-slip mat so you don’t have to worry about your kid slipping while walking on this mat.
- Easy to Clean – just machine wash with detergent and hang to dry for a clean or wipe with a damp cloth.
CLAIM TO BE NON-TOXIC BUT MADE OUT OF PVC
The mats listed on here claim to be non-toxic, however they are made out of PVC so I personally would NOT use them since PVC is a toxic material. Some of the reviews on Amazon state that these mats had a chemical smell when out of the package.
I wanted to share my findings with you so you can make your own decision since they are marketed as non-toxic. Under each mat description you can find a link to their safety testing results, with the exception on Lollaland mat who hasn’t posted this type of report.
Baby Care Play Mat or Baby Care Play Mat – Pingko Friends
:
Comes in 2 sizes: Large: 82.7 x 55.1 x 0.5 inches and Medium: 72.8 x 49.2 x 0.4 inches. Prices vary according to size and pattern.
Mat features:
- Waterproof and easy to clean: Wipe with a soft damp cloth for food and drink
- Hygienic and safe
- Tested to US CPSIA, European Toy Standards EN71 and Australian Standard
- BPA Free, EVA free, Phthalate Free, Lead Free, Latex Free, Formaldehyde Free & Mercury Free
- The cushioned surface ensures a soft landing for rolling, tumbling, and falls
- Claims to be non-toxic, you can find their safety reports here, however it is made from PVC
Dwinguler Eco-friendly Kids Play Mat:
Measures 90.6 x 55.1 x 0.6 inches and the price ranges according to the pattern you chose.
Mat features:
- Weighs 22 lbs
- Soft, elastic, and slip resistant. Patented cushioning and embossing protect kids from hard impacts on the ground
- Manufactured with absolutely earth and baby friendly material. 100% free from any toxic materials including phthalate
- Completely waterproof, easy to clean and sanitize from your child’s rugged playtime. Helps keep kids healthy from germs, bugs and bacteria
- Vividly coated on both sides with designs to help sensory development. Flipping it creates a new playtime environment
- Helps absorb noise and lets your child play without the worry from chilly floors
- claims to be non-toxic, you can find their safety reports here, however it is made from PVC
Lollaland Play Mat
This mat measures 74.8 x 51.2 inches 6.2 feet x 4.3 feet and is 0.6 inches thick.
Mat features:
- Whimsical, body-colored designs are engaging and fun for both parent and child.
- Modern design is not over-stimulating
- Non-slip, tetured surface
- Manufactured with high-quality, non-toxic materials that are environmentally-safe.
- The Lollaland Play Mat meets or exceeds all standards set forth in the US Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) as well as all European Toy Safety Standards (EN-71).
- No heavy metals (Pb, Ba, Cd, Hg, Cr, As, Sb, Se)
- No endocrine-disruptors
- No formaldehydes
I contacted Lollaland because they say this mat is non-toxic but don’t state on their site what this mat made is made out of. Turns out Dwinguler makes their mat and I personally don’t trust them since their mats are made out of PVC, although they show on their site safety reports showing that mat is not toxic (see above) and because of this I would not use this mat on my kids.
You can read here the response I got from Lollaland:
Our mats are made by Dwinguler, who also makes BabyCare, and I noticed that you reviewed them on your blog, so it’s the same quality + materials. Lollaland Play Mats are made with a thicker, higher grade material than BabyCare, but it’s 2 mm thinner than Dwinguler so the price point is right in between.
Any of these mats (under the organic and not organic sections) are really good non-toxic options so get what fits your needs and budget best.
The first one we bought was MyLine Baby PlayMat – Extra Thick and we love it. As soon as I opened it I checked for smells and it didn’t smell, which is a good sign to me. It’s thick enough for my daughter to play on it and not get hurt. It’s one solid piece and it’s very easy to clean, perfect for all the drooling that was happening when she was a baby. We’ve had this mat for over two years and it still looks like new so I’m very happy with the purchase.
I’ve also now had the opportunity to use the Panda Mat, the Organic Cotton Play mat and the Corkimat. I absolutely love the first two but you can’t go wrong with any of these mats. It all depends on the size you’re looking for and your budget.
Have any questions? Leave a comment!
Do you know of any other safe and toxic free playmats? Post a comment!
Hope this will help you to choose right play mats for your precious little one!
There is a shop who sells Eco-friendly & Nontoxic Play-mat, Pillobebe. They recently launched new product which is made of natural cork. This is from their website. http://www.pillobebe.com
“We are extremely excited to announce CorkiMat™, a brand new baby/toddler/kids play mat exclusively designed and developed by Pillobebe!!! The main component of CorkiMat™ is natural cork! Cork is Eco-friendly, Organic, Naturally Anti-bacterial, Anti-microbial, Anti-fungal, and Naturally flame-retardant. It has No harmful chemicals like Formamide, Flame-retardants, etc. It provides similar protection compare to toxic foam play mats widely sold and used in the world today.”
You can watch this Youtube video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9jWLRJYQCg
Thanks for letting me know. I already have 2 of the mats I mentioned in the post and love them. If I do end up needing an extra in the future I’ll look into them. Thank you!
Sure, I just want to share the information with other mommies! Thanks for your reply! 🙂
Thanks for this! I read on the reviews for the extra thick mat that it doesn’t lay flat. Did you have this problem? if so what did you do to make it lay flat?
I didn’t have this issue. It does come rolled up so it need a few hours to lay flat. I placed it on the floor, with the rolled up part facing down and put a few toys on each corner. A few hours later it was flat. You can see it on the picture in my post, that’s my mat. 🙂
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They are making the panda mat again. Would you buy that one?
Yes I would! 🙂
Panda mat is sold out due to high demand 🙁 bummer..really wanted this one. My 2nd choice was the baby bello , but it’s also sold out!
Hi Maria, I contacted Panda Mat after I saw your comment. Unfortunately they weren’t expecting so many sales and now are back into production. They told me it will take a few months before the new batch is completed. I’m sorry. I’ll let you know when it’s back on the market.
Hi Carolina! Do you have any non toxic play pen recommendations that one can use to go around a play mat?
Unfortunately I don’t María. I never used a play pen with my daughter so I never looked into them.
The Panda Mat is made in China…
Yes, but this manufacturer tests their mats before they hit the market to make sure they are non-toxic. You can find their testing information and results here: https://www.pandamat.com/faq-i-16.html
I was very disappointed too when i found out they are made in China. 🙁 I was so excited at first after reading this blog post and almost about to order one but changed my mind because of this.
If they really are so proud about their “perfect and safe” product and if they want to be truly “eco-friendly”, they should stop manufacturing in China.
Not all the mats I recommended here are made in China so you can always get one of the other ones. I too am not a fan of products made in China but I trust a company that has high standards and does testing on the mats by an independent lab and that’s why I recommended it.
Hi, Would you be able to link me the page on CPSC regarding the Myline mat? I searched the website and couldn’t find it. I did find this mat being listed as XPE foam–made in China/Korea via Alibaba–so it makes me question how safe it is: http://taishansports.en.alibaba.com/product/2000112623-222759612/XPE_foldable_picnic_mat.html
Thank you–for all your info on the mats above!
As far as I understand CPSC has mostly information on recalls and unsafe products and this is why the mat is not there since there hasn’t been any issues reported.
Also, very similar mats to Myline are being produced that are made with questionable materials, you can even get very similar looking ones in amazon so I’m thinking what you found in Alibaba might be one of those. I can’t tell just by looking at pictures and they don’t specify a lot in that link. The mat I have is definitively not as foldable or thin as the ones pictured there.
If you’re not comfortable getting this mat, you can try one of the other mats mentioned in this post. This list is the best I’ve found out there and I believe there are much better than your traditional mats. If you find something better, please feel free to share it with me. 🙂 I want what’s best for all the kiddos out there.
http://www.amazon.com/Wonder-Mat-Non-toxic-Rainbow-Orange/dp/B003SPA1K8#
How about this play mat? There is a letter saying it doesn’t have any chemicals.
Hi! I personally stay away from anything made out of foam since it’s been controversial and even banned in some countries so although it says non-toxic I rather be safe than sorry.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00FN74A24/ref=ox_sc_act_image_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A337RSGSDFDD06
Do you think this one is good?
I remember looking into this mat but I couldn’t find much about it and some people said it smelled chemically when they received it so I decided not to get it. It says it’s tested to European toy standards, which is good but doesn’t say much else so I personally stayed away from it.
I’m trying to decide between the myline playmat and the babycare one on amazon. The babycare one is made in Korea and has a website with a report of the product testing results showing no heavy metals, formaldehyde, pthlalates etc. however, it is made from PVC which confuses me. I thought PVC was toxic. So then I started researching the myline mat and I can’t find a website at all and also tried to find info on the xpe food grade material they use but can’t find any. Were you able to dig deeper and find a company website or any other info about myline? I am interested in buying it but also hesitant because there is no info about that company anywhere. I’m also interested in the babycare mat because they have quality reports online, but their mats are made of PVC. What are your thoughts on this? Thanks 🙂
I’m sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner. Somehow this comment went into my spam section and that’s why I didn’t see it.
Personally I would stay away from PVC. The Myline playmat is made from XPE foam, which is a non-toxic foam alternative (you can find more info about it here https://youtu.be/3xeOlx8Y_Yg from another manufacturer that uses this). However, if you’re not comfortable with that either check out the other mats I recommend. I’m actually about to update this post within the next few weeks with some other new non-toxic mats I found and made in the USA. So check back soon! 🙂
Hey,
Found this blog interesting and thanks for posting. However – I think to Vanessa’s point above – you’d be wise to remove your recommendation of “Dwinguler Eco-friendly Kids Play Mat” since it’s made of 100% PVC (per Bed Bath and Beyond website). 100% PVC is significantly more damaging and dangerous compared to EVA Foam (Don’t get me wrong – I’m with you in being careful or feeling wary about EVA….but PVC across the board is terrible. Even the brick and mortar stores like Target now sell PEVA shower curtains b/c of the PVC awareness finally catching on).
Thanks again for posting this blog – very helpful and appreciative of your info! Making this recommendation to you also so other parents don’t come and see that recco. above and assume it’s fine…If you continue to recommend this – you may want to state up front that it’s actually made of 100% PVC. Also – noteworthy – Dwinguler has refused to state exactly what this is made of….which makes me even more wary in this age of dis-information (“Trust us, it’s non-toxic.”)
Wish they’d start manufacturing Panda mat again 🙂
Steve
Thanks for your feedback Steve. I’ve added the link to their testing reports as well as stated that it is made from PVC, which I’m not comfortable with. I’ve also added some new play mat options in case you’re looking for another option.
I found this amazing mat called CorkiMat! They look so stylish and multifunctional! They are on Kickstarter now!
http://kck.st/1EYJh25
Thanks for letting me know! I just took a quick glance at it and so far it’s looking good. Not a fan of tiles though but definitively going to look more into it.
Hi there, thanks for this great list of options for parents who want a safer option than regular foam play mats. As a mom myself, I had those same concerns when my son started to crawl, and I had a hard time finding a play mat that met my expectations. For that reason, I decided to create a safe and non-toxic play mat, which I am launching next month. It’s called the Kutchu play mat, and is made of natural rubber. Check it out http://www.kutchu.com. It will be in stock early June 2015. It is the only children’s play mat made of natural rubber, which is a safe, non-toxic and eco-friendly material. The Kutchu play mat was safety-tested and certified to meet all North American toy safety standards (Canadian and US standards). What’s great about natural rubber, on top of the safety factors, is that it’s eco-friendly, compared to petro-based materials. NR is a renewable resource which comes from the sap of the rubber tree, and it’s also bio-degradable which means it will not leave a footprint in the landfill at the end of its useful life the way plastics do. Please visit my site or contact me for more information! http://www.kutchu.com
Thanks for reaching out! I’m always interested in new non-toxic playmat options since the market is lacking these. I’m going to look more into your mat and will definitively reach out.
We bought CorkiMat and couldn’t be happier! My daughter loves it and looks so comfortable on it. She enjoys tummy time, naps, sit up to play… We love the design and functions. It is pricy but I appreciate the materials they use. I have researched all the mats on the market and this was the only choice I want to give it to my LO. They use cork, cotton, bamboo which are all organic and free of harmful stuffs. Check it out. http://www.pillobebe.com
Thanks for sharing about your experience. I’m looking forward to checking it out.
I hate to tell you this but your MyLine mat is probably not made of all the non-toxic things they are claiming on Amazon. If it can be found on alibaba (exact raccoon and lion), it’s probably the same one. you may wonder how they can advertise that but trust me, I’ve see things from alibaba advertised as “organic” on American sites. A small company can be set up in America and claim those things on Amazon and no one really double checks. I just hope you can let your readers know. If you look up myline llc on Google, it’s not really a big company. Probably just a couple people importing those mats from China.
I appreciate your comment. This specific mat is not made in China but that’s why I put other options out there in case people prefer mats made in the USA. I’ve also found similar designs on other mats but they are not the same mat, when you compare them side by side in person and are not made from the same material, so it’s really hard to tell just by looking at pictures. I only facilitate what I’ve found to be the best and non-toxic options out there and I do my best to keep this updated but ultimately the decision is up to each parent and what they consider best. 🙂
Hi. Do you know exactly what the Myline play mat is made of?
It’s made of XPE foam, a non-toxic foam. I found this video (not from the mat manufacturer) that explains a little bit more about this material: https://youtu.be/3xeOlx8Y_Yg
I bought the same mat you have in your picture for my son from http://www.littlebabygenie.com. the price was very reasonable compared to other brands and i LIKE the fact that was “Free shipping” !!! as we all know, the shipping fee of mats are really expensive. my son likes it and it is so far excellent choice I made!
Thanks for sharing! Amazon also offers free shipping, one of the reasons I got it there. 🙂
Is there a specific seller on Amazon you purchased your mat from? I’m seeing a lot of knock offs and want to make sure I’m purchasing an authentic mat.
I don’t have the seller info. The one I bought is from the link posted on this blog.
a comment here from early July 2015 said you were about to update the blog with new information. I am going to be buying a mat any day now as my son has already had one rough fall on our hardwood in his attempt to become mobile. Can you let me know when you are going to update? thanks so much!
Sorry for the delay! We had a family member get unexpectedly sick and pass away and then I had my baby.
I’m trying to figure out life with 2 kids so not sure when I can update it but I will probably do so by the end of this month/early next month. Once again, sorry for the delay.
Would you still stay away from Baby Care? Also, thoughts on this: http://littlebabygenie.com/products/proby-eco-play-mat-wood? I’m looking for a large, safe, worry-free mat — the market is so confusing with little options. Many thanks!
To be honest, I have not looked into this mat. I will give it a closer look before updating this post with my newest findings. I should know sometime by the end of this month/early next month.
Thanks, Carolina — and CONGRATS on your newborn 🙂 I am now considering another option and am curious on your thoughts. Instead of a playmat, I am now considering a 0.5″ rug pad for under the rug to add cushioning. I have 2 options:
Shaw Eco-Plush Thick Felt (“our Felt Rug Pads are tested quarterly by the Carpet and Rug Institute, a non-profit agency with strict environmental standards. Since the fibers are all natural and do not contain chemicals or adhesives, Eco-Plush is Green Rated for air quality. Enjoy an odor free rug pad that does not off-gas like others and will not harm the air”) and
HEALTHIER-CHOICE MEMORY FOAM RUG PAD (“At the core of Healthier Choice’s cushion is a patented technology known as visco-elastic frothed polyurethane foam. The only carpet cushion to be awarded the UL GreenGuard® Gold Certification for indoor air quality as an extremely low VOC emitting product. Does not contain harmful chemicals such as PBDE, BHT, Formaldahyde, or Triclosan. Made in part with soybean oil and natural minerals, which help to reduce the use of fossil fuels while supporting sustainable alternatives. 100% Post Consumer Recyclable. Contributes to LEED Credits. Healthier Choice is 100% post consumer recyclable and does not contain odors, nor does it off-gas.”).
What are your thoughts? Decent idea? If so, is one better than the other (from a baby health/safety standpoint)?
Again, MANY THANKS!!
I am so so so sorry for the late response and I hope I’m not too late. Going from 1 to 2 kids was harder than I expected at first.
I checked out the rugs you mentioned and they seem like good options. I would actually use these rugs for my house and wouldn’t worry about my kid playing on it. However if it was me and I was buying something for my baby I’d buy something organic to place on top of those rugs or your flooring. When a product is organic it means that none of the harmful stuff was used on it.
The mat I bought is not organic and although I would have probably bought something else if I was buying it today I’m comfortable with it because it’s non-toxic so the decision is really up to you.
Also keep in mind mats get dirty and spills, stains happens, so you want something you can easily lift and clean.
I hope that helps!
Hi Carolina, I can imagine how caring for 2 babies is so very time connsuming. You do great work here — from the masses, thank you! Have you looked more at BabyCare (manufactured in Korea)?
According to the manufacturer it’s a non-toxic playmat, that’s BPA Free, EVA free, Phthalate Free, Lead Free, Latex Free, Formaldehyde Free & Mercury Free. However it is also made from PVC, like the dwinguler mat so I guess it’s up to you if you want to use it or not.
Here is the company’s report on the mat: http://www.babycareplaymat.com/report.html
FYI…the Dwinguler Eco-friendly mat that’s described above…reviews on Amazon say it’s made of toxic poison PVC plastic, and many parents say it has a very strong chemical smell even months after purchasing it.
Thanks for the feedback. The company that makes it actually shares their testing proving it is non-toxic, however, like you, I’m not comfortable with a playmat made out of PVC and I’ve stated that in the post.
Do you have any idea when you’ll have your update posted? It appears that both Dwinguler and Baby Care play mats are made with PVC, so I’m still a bit skeptical about what type to buy! Thanks in advance!
The post has been updated and I added some new mats. Sorry for the delay but I went from having one kid to 2 and it wasn’t easy. 🙂
I have the MyLine mat and will purchase it again, mostly because my son LOVES the alphabet, and I need something that stimulates his love of letters. Only thing that bugs me about the MyLine is that the letters H and I are not in the correct order. Otherwise, I think the MyLine is better than the other mats in terms of stimulating a child.
Did you ask for a new one? Mine doesn’t have this issue.
I’m glad you like it! 🙂
What do you think about the new lollaland play mat?
I haven’t looked into it yet but I will do so and get back to you.
I checked out the site and it claims to be non-toxic, however it doesn’t say what it’s made from. I’m going to be contacting the manufacturer and I’ll report back once I have more information.
had a bad experience with kutchu mat and their customer service. if you are a us resident, mailing back for refund will get you screwed. when it arrived to canada, the company would not pick it up and later i found out they would have been charged customs fees to do so. i was charged double (total of $100) to have package sent back. when i wrote the company, they never responded. If I was the owner and a parent got screwed over almost the price of the product, I would try to help in same fashion. left a shady feel about it and yes, the rubber has a strong odor and still trying to get rid of it. I am a single mother and didnt need to waste money on this.
I am so sorry you had such a bad experience. Thanks for sharing that with my readers.
Thank you so much for writing this up! I have been searching for a large organic play mat for so long! I decided to buy the Pillobebe organic cotton play mat. Will let you know how I like it!
I am putting together a list of baby registry essentials for my blog practically-organic.com would you mind if I link to this post when I talk about a play mat?
I’m glad you found a playmat you like! Would love read your feedback on it.
And yes, please, share away. 🙂
What about letting the baby play on the carpet and using a carpet steamer? Why do we need a mat at all?
I think it’s a matter of personal preference. My babies tend to drool a lot and there are a lot of people walking in the carper at home so I rather have a space that’s only for them and that’s easy to clean.
My wife and I are big fans of this blog — thank you. A slightly different twist to the mat “conversation”. What if we do not need a mat but were considering a “play rug” such as Melissa and Doug’s “Round the Town Road Rug and Car Set” — any thoughts on that? Many thanks!
I personally like something thicker than a rug so I haven’t looked into them. I would imagine Melissa & Doug would produce a non-toxic rug but I’ll look into it and get back to you. 🙂
I’m interested in Melissa and Doug’s play rugs too but I am concerned about flame retardants, etc.. Their website doesn’t say anything about the materials and they never responded to my e-mail.
I haven’t looked into these rugs myself. I know Melissa and Doug test their toys and I assume they test their rugs too to make sure they’re safe. Have you tried contacting them via Facebook? Sometimes brands respond faster that way.
Hi! Love this post! did you look into SoftTiles at all? (www.softtiles.com). They say: “SoftTiles are made from a non-toxic EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) foam. EVA does not contain plasticizers like BPA or phthalates, and have been tested to be formamide free.” Should I be concerned about them? Thanks in advance!
Hi Emily! This sounds to me like the first option I talk about on this post (the one I bought when I was pregnant with my first). There were also EVA foam tiles that tested as non-toxic. However, EVA foam is banned in some European countries and there has been reports that it’s not non-toxic so I personally stay away from them.
We just had a lead risk assessment done of our house and its contents today, and we found out that our Soft Tiles have lead in them! We have the black, white, and grey combo – the white were clear, the black had the most lead, and the grey had trace amounts. The lead levels were very low overall, but I still find this to be completely unacceptable for anything young children are playing on. I find out in a few days if the mats are “chalking” lead dust when we get our more in depth sample results back. I’m contacting the company ASAP. Hopefully there’s not some minimum lead amount in order to qualify for a recall. I hate to think other families are using any of the black or grey tiles (or any other colors that might have lead)!
Just to clarify, I think the Soft Tiles I’m referring to are different than the ones you mention at the beginning of your post. Here’s a link to their website. https://www.softtiles.com/collections/die-cut-circles
They are supposed to be free of formamides, BPA, phthalates, and fire retardants which is why I got them. I never thought it was possible they could have lead! : (
Hi Kelly, we’ve had the Soft Tiles for a couple of years now, and I just came upon this thread. I am so angry about this. Can you please let me know whether the mats were “chalking” dust according to the assessment? Any other details would be much appreciated.
Oh wow!! I am always shocked when I hear things like this because a product that a baby is on should not have any lead at all. I am so sorry this happened to you. Did the company get back to you? I hope they refund your money.
Hi all, I contacted SoftTiles and they said that due to Kelly’s report last year, they actually retested their tiles back in December and that they came back lead-free. They sent me a copy of the report, if anyone wants to see (not sure how to post it on here). They claim that they stand by their promise that their product is lead-free. I hope that is true.
I’d love to see the report. Does it only say it’s lead free? What about all the other chemicals? Send it to hello@mamainstincts.com
Thank you!
Just sent you the SoftTiles report. It had results for a number of items, not just lead. Would love to hear your thoughts.
I’ll report back!
Do you have any update to this post? We were just looking at order the green, blue, and gray tiles but am now worried about the Lead contents. I emailed the company to hear what they say. I don’t want the mats recommended above with cotton covers and stuff – i don’t have time to wash more things and really wanted a foam mat, even if not perfectly free of everything, that was at least the best possible which i thought Soft Tiles were after lots of research then saw you’re post about Lead!
Hi Katie, Have you looked into CreamHaus? They are the ones I recommend and love the most because they are non-toxic and thick. The best part is that they’re very easy to clean, just wipe it clean. No need to remove covers to wash!
Thank you for the recommendation but being in a small condo we need the ability to have a smaller size. Unfortunately baby shares space with us and there isn’t enough for two of those mats and I think one would be too small so still looking into the softtiles. I emailed and am awaiting info back on voc, lead, etc
Hi Katie! CreamHaus also has square tiles so that might work.
I’ll be going over the soft tiles results this weekend.
First I want to thank you for making this site. It’s very informative on what may or may not be safe for my son. We are at the point of needing a play mat for him, and I was wondering if you could give your opinion on this new mat. It is an EVA foam mat, but has passed testing for No Detection of formamide, as well as every other toxin notorious in play mats. I’m still sceptical with it being EVA foam, and would like to hear your thoughts. It is only available on Amazon:
Foam Play Mat for Tummy Time, Crawling & Play. Non-Toxic, Extra Thick Tiles (Black/White/Grey) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IQ5G1MG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_vHV8xb0T554ED
And here are the links to the testing results, posted on the company’s facebook page:
http://weegiggles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/C257818-GW-Dreams_BPA-Report.pdf
http://weegiggles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/SKMBT_C654-16080816190.pdf
http://weegiggles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Formamide-Latex-Reports.pdf
I can’t entirely trust the reviews on Amazon, as they are 95% from people who received the mat at discounted rate, which I’m really getting annoyed with lately. Although one review does mention that the mat had a chemical smell when they first took it out of the packaging, which makes me think there is still some sort of toxin in there that I wouldn’t want my son inhaling or absorbing.
Thanks!
Dave
Hello Dave,
I completely understand your concern. I personally have stayed away from EVA foam mats because they make me uneasy. That being said, the main concern with EVA foam is formamide. I see in the testing results that this mat passed the testing. The only problem with this type of testing is that for a mat to comply with CPSIA standards and be considered “formamide free” it has to pass a certain level. This means we don’t know for sure if the mat doesn’t have any formamide at all or if it does have it in small quantities (below to what’s detected on the test).
So in all honestly, I am not sure if I can recommend this mat. If you decide to get this mat, smell it when you get it and if it has an odd smell I would return it.
Thank you very much for your opinion Carolina 🙂
You’re welcome Dave! Good luck! 🙂
Lollaland website states ” Our award-winning products are BPA-/BPS-, PVC-, phthalate-free ,” though I did’t find what material it is.
When I reached out to them they told me Dwinguler produces their play mats, and they use PVC. Hope that helps answer your question.
Very informative article 🙂
I recently purchased a Verdes play mat (foldable with alphabet on one side and Under the Sea theme on reverse). Upon calling the company they claim it is a new product sold exclusively to TJ Maxx, Home Goods, and Marshalls for the 2016 Christmas season. They verbally claimed it is made from PU – and does not contain hazardous materials. However, they would not release report to verify. Is the use of PU considered safe? Are you familiar with this mat?
I have not heard of that play mat. PU is generally considered safe but I don’t like it when companies aren’t transparent with their reports. Did they tell you what the mat was tested for? Or if it complies with US and/or European standards?
Thanks for your reply. Do you have any information about either of these that I am considering:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N69MHT7?psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HN03J1C/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0099XV1S4&linkCode=as2&tag=mamainst-20&linkId=ZCJ4P7UAEAALKBB2&th=1
THANKS!!!!
Bonnie
The first mat you’re asking about (Cell Grove) claims their product is BPA Free, Lead Free, Phthalate Free, Latex Free, Formaldehyde Free, EVA Free. I can’t find anywhere what the mat is made out of nor a site for them. I’m not sure what kind of testing they’ve done either so I can’t recommend them. However, if their claims are true, it doesn’t look like a bad option.
The second mat you shared if the first mat we ever got. It’s been almost 4 years since I got that mat and I’m still very happy with it. It’s holding up great!
HI! I have a 20month old who loves gymnastics class. I was hoping to get her some gym stuff for home– like those big wedge/triangle mats that can be claimed and do summersaults down. Anyhow, is there any safe version of this type of think that you know of? Thank you.
Hi! The closest things I know of gym type mats that are non-toxic are the CreamHaus play mats. However, I don’t know about the type of gym equipment you’re asking for. Sorry!
Hi there! Have you ever heard of Alzip? It is also from Korea and seems similar to Cream Haus, but with bumpers. Do you think this is safe? Your insights are so much appreciated!
It looks exactly like Cream Haus. I wonder if they’re the makers of this mat too. Let me find out and I’ll get back to you.
Great Article!
Keep it up. Learnt a lot from this article.
Thank you!
Hi. Wondering what your take is on the folding playmat by cream haus?
https://www.creamhaus.us/collections/preorder-special/products/folding-play-mat-grey-cream?variant=22581461383
thank you in advance!
Hello Pamela! I have not seen this mat before. I’ll look into it and report back to you soon. 🙂
Thank you!
Hello Pamela!
I am so sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner. I checked out this mat and I would recommend it. I am actually going to add it to my list! 🙂
Awesome 🙂 glad I could contribute something to the list that definitely helped me get the best playmat for my baby 🙂
Yes! Thank you for bringing it to my attention. Enjoy your little one!