How To Clean a Baby Play Mat

Play mats are an excellent way for your baby to get some much-needed tummy time. But let's face it — babies are messy, which means the play mat can get dirty quickly.

Be it drool, a diaper accident, or some good old grime or stains, it's important to clean your baby's play mat before it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and germs which could put your baby's health at risk. A dirty play mat also has a shorter lifespan, whereas when it's well taken care of, it could last you for years. Bottom line: Periodically cleaning your baby's playmat is essential.

Keep things hygienic and preserve your playmat's life, with our steps for how to clean a baby playmat, including WildBird's very own Linen Quilted Playmat .

Table Of Contents

1. Types of Baby Play Mats and Cleaning Needs
2. Cleaning Tips for All Baby Play Mats
3. How To Choose The Right Baby Play Mat
4. Storage Solutions for Play Mats

Baby play mats are typically made of foam or fabric such as cotton, linen or bamboo. Each type of mat has different cleaning needs. You'll normally find washing and cleaning instructions on the label or on your manufacturer's website, but here's a detailed overview on how to clean each type of baby playmat.

Fabric

Fabric playmats are the easiest to clean, because they can go directly in the washing machine with clothes, beddings, and other fabrics.

To remove dust and debris from your baby's play mat, take it outside and simply shake it off. You can do this after every single play session.

Spills and stains should be spot cleaned immediately, to prevent lasting discoloration. We also recommend doing a deep clean once a week by tossing your fabric playmat into the washing machine. Make sure to air dry the mat and don't let your baby on it until every speck of moisture has been dried out.

Foam

Foam play mats are often water-resistant but not totally waterproof. They're easy to surface clean, but submerging them in water may cause damage. They're often heftier than fabric playmats, so just shaking them off to remove debris can be a little more difficult.

The best way to quickly clean a foam mat is first a soft-bristled brush to remove debris, followed by a wipe-down.

Use the brush to wipe away any loose crumbs or dirt off of the play mat and into a dustpan. Once you're done, take a damp microfiber or cotton cloth and wipe the surface of the play mat thoroughly. Don't forget to focus on the corners and give them a thorough rub-down since they are high-contact areas.

If you see any stains or spills, spot clean them immediately. Deep clean the mats once a week using a mild soap and cold water, and remember to never put them in the washing machine!

Plastic Mats

Plastic playmats are often inflatable, and usually sold as “water playmats”. While many parents have justifiable reservations about purchasing such mats, what's undeniable is that they're very easy to clean. Unlike fabric or foam mats, these mats are usually completely waterproof, and therefore can be easily rinsed under the tap and wiped down to dry completely.

Now, let's get into the details. Here are the key facts and tips for cleaning every type of baby playmat.

Cleaning Frequency

Check the playmat for debris or stains every day – ideally after every play session. Light debris, spills, and stains should be shaken off or spot cleaned as soon as you can.

Otherwise, deep clean your baby's play mat once a week, just as you would other objects with which your child comes in contact. Playmats can harbor dust and germs even when they seem clean, which could irritate your baby's skin or lead to allergies.

Machine Washing

Fabric play mats like our WildBird Playmat can just be tossed in the machine to clean. Nothing could be easier, especially in those busy first months of your baby's life. Choose a gentle washing cycle and only use cold water.

You can wash the playmat separately or with like colors. Don't bleach, soak, or tumble dry.

Once done, let the mat air dry before it's ready to use again! For best results, we recommend hanging it somewhere clean and dry, but away from direct sunlight.

Spot Cleaning

Spot cleaning is the best method for quickly removing stains, especially from foam playmats. You won't have to wash the entire mat every time, nor worry about saturating it with too much water.

• Take a small amount of a mild, hypoallergenic liquid soap or detergent and mix it with water. If approved by the manufacturer, you can also use vinegar which is an effective natural cleaner.
• Avoid strong or abrasive cleaning agents as they may damage the playmat or leave a residue that could be irritating for your baby.
• Dampen a soft cotton or microfiber cloth with the solution and rub it over the stain.
• Finally, wipe any residue of the solution with a damp cloth. If you're spot cleaning a fabric playmat, you can also rinse it directly under the tap.
• Finally, allow the play mat to dry completely before letting your baby have another play session.

Thorough Hand Washing

You can hand wash any type of playmat, but this method is ideal for when foam mats need a more thorough cleaning.

• Mix a solution of hypoallergenic soap and water. Make sure the soap is baby-friendly and free from strong fragrances.
• Saturate a cloth in the cleaning solution, and wipe the mat thoroughly. Focus on crevices and corners where debris might collect.
• Take, wring out your cloth or take a new cloth and dip it in fresh water. Make sure it's not too saturated
• Wipe the mat again to remove all cleaning solution residue.
• Once done, leave the mat to air dry outside but away from direct sunlight.

Since you can't hang a foam mat on a clothesline, the best way to dry it is by letting it rest against a surface, such as a wall. Make sure that only a small portion of the mat touches other objects, or it may not dry completely.

Here are the main features to consider when choosing the best mat for your baby:

• Size and firmness: Smaller fabric playmats are usually best for newborns and babies who are a few months old, since they take up less space, are more portable, and offer a few uses. Larger, firmer mats can be useful as your baby learns to crawl and stand, as they provide a larger and thicker protective surface.
• Ease of cleaning: If you don't want the hassle of hand washing your play mats and would just prefer letting the washing machine take care of it, consider getting a fabric play mat.
  If you want something thicker and firmer and don't mind going through the extra cleaning steps, you can choose a foam or rubber mat. Avoid porous playmats since they can retain bacteria even when cleaned thoroughly.
• Material and safety standards: Your baby's playmat should be free of any harmful substances. Look for ones that are made from natural materials like cotton, linen, or hemp. WildBird Playmats are OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, which means they don't contain any dangerous substances.

WildBird Play Mats are a fantastic option, especially in the early stages. They're made using an OEKO-TEX certified blend of linen and cotton, which means they're machine-washable, super easy to clean, and guaranteed free from over 1000 potentially dangerous chemicals.

Proper storage helps preserve the life of your baby's play mat, and it'll also help keep it clean. Here are our tips for storing different types of mats when they're not in use.

• Keep all types of play mats in a clean, dry area and away from extreme temperatures or moisture.
• If you recently cleaned the mat, make sure it's completely dry before folding it or putting it away.
• Fabric mats can be stored with bedding or clothing. Keep them folded and stored in a linen drawer or in your baby bag.
• Foam mats are a little tougher to store since they cannot be folded. Most parents keep them as a permanent fixture on the floor. You can prop them against the wall or place them in a large closet if you need them out of the way.
• Puzzle-style mats can be taken apart and stacked in a box or drawer.