How to Clean a Baby Play Mat

There’s no getting away from the fact that many babies and infants are messy by nature – they can be clumsy with their little hands in the early days of development, and are capable of getting a brand new play mat or gym in a real state in no time at all.

Whether the mess is the result of food stains and spilled drinks, dribbles, reflux, nappy leaks or a range of other things – one thing’s for sure it won’t be long before you need to clean your little one’s play mat.

Thankfully most mats can be cleaned with a minimum of fuss and effort – most of them are designed with hygiene in mind.

Some can be handwashed in warm, soapy water with a cloth or sponge and dried on a washing line, while others can even be cleaned in your washing machine. These include rug-style mats with rubber backing and those made with a combination of cotton and polyester.

In some instances, nothing more than a rub down with a few baby wipes is enough to stay on top of the mess on a mat – but it takes more than that to get a mat in tip top condition again when it’s become really grubby and smelly.

There are many types of play mats, made from a variety of materials including padded foam, soft felt and waterproof plastic – so different cleaning methods apply to each. The important thing to know is that most of them can be cleaned easily.

Many foam mats – including the type which comprises several interlocking sections featuring letters and numbers – can be given a basic clean with a vacuum cleaner or handheld mini vac. And when they need the full works the sections can be taken apart and placed in a washing machine.

Some parents also choose to clean foam play mats by playing them the shower cubicle and blasting them with a warm water shower hose.

Make sure you read the instructions and cleaning guidelines that came with your mat to ensure you take the right steps to get it looking fresh and clean again. If you clean it the wrong way there’s a risk of ruining it.

It’s almost inevitable that a play mat will get smelly – probably sooner rather than later so there are various ways to keep the smells under control. Again, make sure you check the mat’s instruction leaflet to ensure you don’t that flies in the face of the cleaning advice given.

A vinegar and water solution is normally a safe bet when it comes to baby play mats – this is ideal for breaking down stains reducing undesirable smells. You can rub or spray the vinegar solution all over the mat or even immerse it completely in a large bucket of the liquid.

Another option is to mix lemon juice and baking soda together to form a paste. This should be applied to the surface over the mat and left for around 15 minutes. The paste can then be removed by soaking and rubbing with a damp sponge or cloth.

It’s usually wise to avoid using detergents on play mats as they could be harmful to a baby or infant skin. However, if you have a machine washable mat, you may wish to use a mild detergent first to remove stubborn stains before placing it in your washing machine.

There are also some natural cleaning solutions and anti-bacterial soaps available to buy which are completely acceptable to use on play mats and gyms.