10 Best Non-Toxic Baby Play mats for worry-free playtime
Babies are on the play mats for a good chunk of time. So, you want to make sure that you are using non-toxic baby play mats. Here is your ultimate guide on non-toxic play mats to keep your baby safe and comfortable.
For the first 4-5 months of life, the baby spends considerable time on the play mat. It is great for tummy time when they are little. Once they can sit, the play mat becomes a place for them to learn and explore.
And when they are toddlers, you can use a play mat near their Montessori toys, so they can sit and play with their toys on it.
Baby play mats come in varieties of sizes and designs. Cute prints and colors of some play mats make you want to buy them, but most of the mainstream baby play mats are made of PVC, polyurethane, EVA foam, or plant-based foam.
And most of them contain formamide, lead, phthalate, BPA/BPS, and other toxic chemicals.
I did not know much about non-toxic baby play mats when my first one was born back in 2009, so I ended up using PVC play mat for the first two years.
Then, fortunately, I adopted a green living when I got pregnant with my second baby. And since then, I have done a lot of research on finding non-toxic baby gear. In this article, I have put together a list of the best non-toxic baby play mats, so you don’t have to put countless hours finding a non-toxic play mat for your baby.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an affiliate and amazon associate, I earn commission on qualified purchases at no extra cost to you.
Best Non-Toxic Baby Play Mats
There are a variety of playmats available in the market. Sometimes they are labeled as non-toxic, but when you pay attention to detail, you will find that only one material of the playmats is organic and non-toxic. EVA foam play mat is a classic example of greenwashing.
Eva foam is typically advertised as the non-toxic choice, but it often tests positive for formamide and other toxic materials.
In this list, you will find non-toxic baby playmats are not only free from toxic chemicals but can be great as a background when you are randomly taking pictures of your baby.
1. CorkiMat by Pillobebe
CorkiMat by Pillobebe is a great choice. If you want a custom size play mat, you can customize the play mat depending on the size you want. Each tile of this mat measures 19″ x 19 x 1″.
CorkiMat is available in 2 different kinds.
CorkiMat Comfy– Small With or without quilted cover
CorkiMat Comfy – Large with or without quilted cover
Both CorkiMat versions have hypoallergenic polyester padding + 100% certified organic cotton cover. Polyester padding is not the best, but it would still work for those whose babies do not have food or environmental sensitivity.
The modular design of these play mats allows you to stack, store or travel when you desire. Each tile is connected to other tiles by anti-slip Velcro.
Regardless of which type of CorkiMat you go for, it comes with a removable cover made of 100% GOTS certified organic cotton.
The CorkiMat play mats are free from fire-retardants, other VOCs, BPA, BPS, formaldehyde, lead, phthalates, and formamide.
Measures:
Small (no quilted cover) – 4 insert tiles, appx. 47″x47″x1″
Small (quilted cover) – 4 insert tiles, appx. 50.5″x50.5″x1″
Large (no quilted cover) – 6 insert tiles, appx. 70″x48″x1″
Large (quilted cover) – 6 insert tiles, appx. 75.5″x50.5″x1″
You can have it custom-made depending on the area you want to cover.
Mat features
- Made in the USA
- Hypoallergenic Polyester padding
- 100% GOTS certified Organic cotton cover
- Free from fire retardant, PVC, BPA, Formamide, phthalates, and other toxic chemicals
- Stackable and easy to travel with
2. Organic Cotton Play Mat by Pillobebe
Another great non-toxic baby play mat to consider is Organic Cotton Play Mat by Pillobebe. The Organic Cotton Playmat has 100% organic cotton padding and a thickness of 1/2 inche.
The play mat with organic cotton filling is always great but if you are looking for a thickness you need to purchase extra padding separately. This play mat does not have foam-based padding so you want to have the thickness you desire in this organic play mat.
This playmat is handmade in the USA and free from flame retardants, formamide, PVC, BPA, BPS, and lead. In addition, the playmat has 100% GOTS certified organic cotton with cute prints that you can use as a prop for your baby’s pictures.
We have used Organic Cotton Play Mat from Pillobebe for the last 3 years, and it is still holding great. But you do need to wash the removable cover regularly to remove dirt from everyday use. Removing the cover from the playmat is easy with a hidden zipper at the bottom.
Measures – Approximately 55″ X 55″
Mat Features
- Made in the USA
- Removable and washable 100% GOTS certified organic cotton cover
- Organic cotton padding
- Water-resistant cover on padding
- Free from flame retardants, PVC, BPA, BPS, LEAD, Formamide, phthalate, and other toxic chemicals.
3. Lorena Canals Washable Mats
Lorena Canals Washable rugs or mats are another great choice if you want the rug to be put in a washer for a quick wash.
These washable mats are made from 100% natural cotton and non-toxic dye in India. In addition, the Lorena Canals rugs are handmade, so you can expect variation in colors and prints from what has been shown in the picture.
The rugs are fluffy and lightweight, so you can move them around within your house. You can find Lorena Canals rungs on Amazon here.
If you are interested in watching how the rugs are made, check out this video.
Measures – 4′ X 5′ 3″
Mat Features
- Made in India
- Made from 100% natural cotton or wool
- Eco-friendly dyes
- Machine washable
- Available in many shapes and designs
4. Folding Mats by CreamHaus
CreamHaus play mats are great if you are looking for a non-toxic play mat with thickness to protect your baby from bruises and bumps.
The Folding Mats by CreamHaus is made of food-grade non-toxic polyethylene foam, one of the safest plastics available today. The 10 thin layers of foam sheets are put together by a chemical-free adhesive method to achieve the desired thickness of 1.6 inches.
The Folding Mats by CreamHaus is the only thickest non-toxic baby play mats on this list.
The playmat comes with a polyurethane leather cover which is gone through a 6-step cleaning process to remove toxic chemicals residue. What I like the most about this manufacturer is that they are very transparent about their toxicity report, which is available online.
The Folding mats are available in 3 sizes to meet your needs. The biggest size is 51’’ x 102’’. However, it is still lightweight easy to fold and move around.
All the materials used in making CreamHaus mats are OEKO-TEX certified and free from PVC, TPA, BPA, lead, phthalates, formamide, formaldehyde, flame retardants, and other VOCs.
Measures – Available in 3 sizes
- 39.5’’ x 71’’
- 51’’ x 79’’
- 51’’ x 102’’
Weighs – 9.3 lbs
Mat Features
- Made in South Korea
- Made from OEKO-TEX certified materials
- Food-grade Polyethylene foam filling
- Polyurethane foam leather outer cover
- Waterproof and easy wipe clean only
- Thickness -1.6 inch
- Lightweight and easy to fold and store
5. Modular Play Mat by CreamHaus
Modular Mat by CreamHaus is another great option if you like a custom playmat to fit your need. It comes in sets of 4 cubes to make it as small or as big depending on the area you have.
The modular play mat is made from recycled, non-crossed polyethylene foam and a premium PU leather cover. Lust like Creamhaus’s Folding Mats, the thickness of the Modular play mat is 1.6’’ achieved by putting together 10 layers of foam using the chemical-free adhesion method.
The great thing about a Modular play mat is that you can use the individual cube in the play yard and possibly use it as a mattress while traveling.
Each cube is approximately 25.6’’ x 25.6’’ x 1.6’’ in size and weighs 1.5lb. So, the more cubes you add to your playmat, the heavier it will get. But this playmat can grow with your baby. So, add more cubes to the play mat as your baby grows.
Each cube can be attached to the next cube with Velcro strips.
Measures
- Cube -25.6’’ x 25.6’’ x 1.6’’
- Weight- 1.5lb
- Thickness – 1.6’’
6. Inua Bumper Mat by CreamHaus
One of the most versatile options for an infant play mat is the Inua Bumper mat by CreamHaus. It can be used as a play mat and a nap mat.
Just like Folding mats and Modular play mats from CreamHaus, the Inua Bumper mat is made from recyclable food-grade PE foam and has a 100% cotton cover to make it comfortable for your baby to sleep.
The unique playmat also comes with 4 side bumpers with cotton covers and mobile arms.
The size of the Bumper play mat is 63’’ x 43’’x 16’’, which is large enough for an adult to fit in and play with the baby. It could be a great alternative if you are do not want to spend money on a non-toxic play yard. It can also be used for co-sleeping in the same room as parents.
Again, the playmat is free from PVC, TPA, BPA, lead, phthalates, formamide, formaldehyde, flame retardants, and other VOCs.
Measures – 63’’ x 43’’x 16’’
Weighs – 17.5 lbs
Thickness – 1.6 inches
Mat features
- Made in South Korea
- Muti-fictional can be used as a play mat and for napping
- Made of food-grade PE foam
- Comes with 100% cotton cover, 4 side bumper with cotton cover, and mobile arm
- Large enough to fit an adult
- Free from toxic chemicals
7. Organic Hemp Play Mat
Organic Hemp Playmat by Hemp Organic Life is another non-toxic option to consider. The playmat is filled with organic Hemp fiber, which is naturally antibacterial and grown without pesticides or herbicides in Ukraine.
The playmat comes with a non-dyed 100% natural linen fabric cover. You also have an option to purchase an extra cover for replacing the one in use when dirty.
This play mat can be customized depending on the area you want to cover. Also, the thickness can be adjusted depending on your need.
Measures – Approximately 51’’x51’’ but can be customized depending on your need.
Weight – Can be customized up to 2.3’’ thickness.
Mat features
- Made in Ukraine
- Non-dyed 100% natural linen cover
- Organic Hemp fiber Filling
- Can be customized depending on your need
8. TOKI Mats
Baby play mats by Toki Mats are modern stylish that will fit any room décor or style. Toki Mats are made of latex, so they are great for families with no latex allergies.
This is the only baby play mat in this list filled with natural Dunlop latex foam. The Dunlop latex foam is made from the sap of rubber trees, and it is naturally resistant to bacteria, mold, and mildew.
Toki mats are GOTS, and OEKO-TEX certified non-toxic play mats. The play mats come with a 100% GOTS certified organic cotton cover. The removable cover has two side zipper closures.
The insert of this mat is not waterproof so you need to separately purchase OKEO-TEX certified waterproof cover.
Measures – Approximately 40” x 40” x 1”
Weight– 7 lbs
Thickness– 1inch
Mat Features
- Made in the USA
- Made of Natural Dunlop Lates made from rubber tree sap
- 100% GOTS certified organic cover
- The cover is machine washable in a gentle, cold cycle
- Free of fire-retardants, phthalates, PVC, and lead
9. Finch and Folk
The Organic play mats by Finch and Folk a gender-neutral and can be a great addition to go with any room décor.
The Finch and Folk playmats are made of 100% organic GOTS certified organic sateen and filled with OEKO-TEX certified polyester. This play mat features soft color and can work in boy and girl’s rooms.
The mat is machine washable. But beware of color fading over several washes, which is a characteristic of hand screen printing.
Finch and Folk play mats are quilted in both diamond and square shapes. The quilted play mats tend to slip on the hardwood floor, so make sure to use a rug pad underneath it if using it on the hardwood floor.
Finch and Folk offer unique designs like I-spy play mat, world explorer play mat, La La land, and others.
Measures – 47’’x47’’
Weighs -?
Thickness-?
Mat Features
- GOTS certified organic cotton sateen cover
- OEKO-TEX 100 Certified polyester padding
- Machine washable
- Designed in Australia
- Handmade in India
10. Organic Play Mats by Organic Designs
Organic Play Mats by organic designs is not a play mat but a comforter that can be used as a play mat. The comforter is fluffy enough and works great as a play mat than a comforter for babies.
The playmats/comforters are filled with organic cotton batting, backed with organic flannel, and come with 100% GOTS certified organic cotton cover.
And because the play mat/comforter is made of fabric, you can easily machine wash them. In addition, the mats are quilted to keep everything in place for washing and drying.
Measures – 43’’ x40’’
Mat Features
- Made in the USA
- Made of 100% certified organic cotton
- Machine washable
- Available in different designs
FAQs
What is the best material for a baby play mat?
Baby play mat with 100% GOTS certified organic cotton cover and organic cotton, bamboo, or Hemp filling are considered the safest option for babies or infants.
But as babies get older, we need something that is wear and tear-proof and provides enough thickness to prevent them from bruises and bumps. Practically, we want the play mat to last long too.
So while a play mat made of certified organic cotton fabric is the best choice, it is always not practical as the baby gets older.
The safest material for a baby play mat is food-grade polyethylene for a toddler. It is the safest kind of plastic out there. Polyethylene is FDA approved plastic for food contact. It does not contain phthalates or other concerning chemicals like BPA, and therefore it is safe for use in products that come in direct contact with a human.
Are Yay mats non-toxic?
No, Yay Mats are not non-toxic. The Yay mats are made of high-density foam (EVA foam). Yays mats are a typical example of greenwashing when you read their product listing on Amazon. Eva foam is not considered safe. However, Yay mats are free from BPA, lead, and phthalates.
EVA is a plastic made with a combination of ethylene and vinyl acetate. Because of its soft and elastic properties, it is considered a safer alternative to PVC.
However, a couple of years back, it was found that EVA foam contained formamide. Formamide makes foam soft but can be absorbed through the skin and breathing. It is considered developmental toxic and carcinogenic. As a result, several European countries have banned EVA foam baby play mats.
Is EVA foam non-toxic?
No, Eva foam is not not-toxic. EVA foam is often touted as non-toxic, but it was found to off-gas formamide. Formamide is considered to be a carcinogenic and developmental toxin. Eva foam baby products are a classic example of greenwashing, and they are often labeled as non-toxic. But EVA foam can not be 100% formamide free as formamide cannot be tested under a certain level.
Are foam floor mats safe for babies?
Foam play mats are usually made of PVC, EVA foam, or polyurethane foam. All of these petroleum materials are non considered safe for babies. They off-gas toxic VOCs and are considered developmental toxic or carcinogenic.
Also, babies are not small adults, and they have immature immune systems and detoxification systems. Therefore, they are more vulnerable to the health risk of toxin exposure than an adult. So, it is better to avoid foam floor mats for the first year of their life.
Are Skip Hop play mats non-toxic?
Skip Hop play mats are made of EVA foam. Eva foam is labeled a safe alternative to Plastic, but it was found to off-gas Formamide. Formamide is considered to be carcinogenic and a developmental toxin, therefore not safe for the baby to come in direct contact with it.
Skip Hop play mats are labeled non-toxic, but it is not. According to the manufacturer, it is free from BPA, phthalate, and PVC.
How long do you leave the baby on the play mat?
Once you bring the baby home from the hospital and settle in your home, you are free to let the baby lay on their back on play mats when they are awake. Then, as they grow a little older, place them on a play mat on their tummy for 3 to 5 minutes while they are awake and you are watching them.
Conclusion
Playmats are essential baby items to have for babies. You can lay your baby on the play mat and get things done around your house. And because babies spend considerable time on their play mat, it is important to find the best non-toxic play mat for your baby.
I hope this list of playmats has helped you find a non-toxic play mat for your baby. Before you go, check out these non-toxic bouncing chairs options and non-toxic baby walkers, which are equally useful baby gear for the first 5 months of a baby’s life.
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