As a parent, it’s important to be extra cautious about what your baby uses since they tend to put everything in their mouth. This can introduce germs into their system, so watching for their safety is crucial.
Properly washing your baby’s play mat is crucial to prevent damage caused by common occurrences such as drooling, spitting up, diaper blowouts, or leakage.
Ensure you know how to wash baby play mats to maintain quality and keep your baby safe. Here’s how to wash baby play mats.
Cleaning methods vary depending on the type of play mat. For hard surface mats, vinegar, and water can be used for cleaning. Fabric mats and some vinyl ones can be washed in the washing machine.
In this article, you will learn how to wash a baby’s play mat (whether foam, rubber, fabric, or plastic) and discover other helpful information that may interest you.
What is Baby Play Mats?
If there is anything you want your baby to practice tummy time, crawling, and playing with, then it is the play mat.
They provide the softness and comfort your baby needs to practice those things.
Why Clean Your Baby’s Play Mat?
Remember that it is a play mat and, as such, used by your baby for playing. Once there is playing, the chances of introducing germs are very high, and you can never tell when your baby will put it in his or her mouth.
This is one of the reasons you should clean your baby’s play mat, and you can spot clean spills, but then you should make out time for deep cleaning, especially the daily play areas of your child often.
There are many advantages to cleaning your baby’s play mat, including killing bacteria and germs and creating a more hygienic environment for your baby.
To enjoy the above benefits, you must follow the correct procedures and employ the right detergents and brush. If not, you could potentially destroy your baby’s play mat.
What Are Good Cleaning Product For a Play Mat?
Regular household cleaning material on your baby’s play mat wouldn’t cause issues.
Using baking soda, vinegar, dish soap mixed with essential oils, and basic soap and water won’t be a bad idea.
Chemicals like ammonia and bleach should be avoided as they may damage your baby’s play mat.
Using bleach on your baby’s play mat leaves white stains on a colored play mat. Ammonia has allergic reactions and, when used to wash your baby’s play mat, can cause irritating of your child’s skin.
How To Wash Baby Play Mats
How To Clean Foam Play Mats
If there is one type of play mat that parents advocate for their babies, it is the Foam play mat. They are easy to clean, but you must hand wash a foam play mat.
Before washing, always make sure that you have studied the care instructions included with a mat first, after which you choose a non-abrasive cloth, a natural cleaning wipe, or a soft dish scrub like a sponge would do.
When you have done the above, you make a soap solution, or you can try mixing equal parts vinegar and water (it will have a strong scent, you might want to add a few drops of your preferred essential oil) and put it in a spray bottle.
Endeavor to remove the crumbs or dirt on the play mat, after which you spray the soapy water and gently scrub your baby’s play mat. If there are stains, you must thoroughly scrub the play mat but do not use a hard brush.
Do not allow the foam to absorb water. As you clean, dry it as quickly as possible to avoid it becoming moldy.
Pat it dry with an absorbent cloth or towel after rinsing off the water solution (it might be dirty now).
How to Clean Rubber Play Mat
If one play mat can be easily cleaned, it should be rubber.
To have your baby’s rubber play mat last for you, avoid cleaning it with vinegar as it will destroy your baby’s play mat.
Here is how to clean your baby’s rubber play mats
- Read the Instructions: To prevent damage or color fading, following the care instructions for your mat is important.
- Dry sweep to remove debris: You must use a soft cloth or a microfiber mop head to eliminate any significant debris from your surface. If there are any remaining bits of hair or dust, it is crucial that you gently wipe them away with a cloth. Additionally, shake the cloth outside to remove any excess debris.
- Wet clean to remove stains: For optimal cleaning of the mat, it is recommended to utilize either a disposable mop pad or a soft cloth with a suitable cleaning solution. Ensure that the entire surface is thoroughly cleaned, and for an extra level of cleanliness, it is permissible to utilize a garden hose or shower sprayer for rinsing purposes.
- Spot clean stubborn stains: To effectively tackle stubborn stains, you must utilize a blend of baking soda and water or dishwashing soap. Apply the paste onto the affected area and vigorously scrub the mat with a bristle brush or scrubber. It is of utmost importance that you execute a thorough cleaning process to guarantee the complete elimination of all stains.
- Rinse: Let the mat air dry after rinsing the cleaners and any remaining dirt.
How To Clean Fabric Play Mats
One of the easiest play mats to clean can be washed using a washing machine!
It can be cleaned using regular detergent, and there is no need for special soap when washing a fabric play mat in your machine.
Ensure that all the detergents are removed from the play mats. You can achieve it by rinsing the mats and twisting and re-folding the play mat before running the washer for a second rinse.
Here’s how to clean your baby’s fabric play mats
- Read the Instructions: Follow any care instructions specific to your mat to avoid damage or color fade.
- Remove debris and crumbs: Before vacuuming your mat, shake it outside to remove any big debris. Although some mats can be vacuumed, use your discretion before doing so.
- Wash in a washing machine: Pretreat any stains and wash them according to your preference. Cold is easier on fabric, but hot water removes stains and sanitizes.
- Air or machine dry: If you want your play mat to last longer, avoid tumble drying, as it can cause wear and tear. Instead, consider air drying by draping it over the back of a chair. Keep in mind that some play mats hold up better than others.
How to Clean Puzzle Play Mats
Puzzle play mats are beautiful and recommendable for babies that start crawling. It is made of foam and can be cleaned like the foam play mat using (vinegar and hot water).
It can also be spot cleaned and then thoroughly cleaned when the opportunity calls, and remember that it shouldn’t be more than two weeks intervals.
How to clean puzzle play mats
- All pieces of the puzzle should be separated as separate foam tiles.
- To properly clean the puzzle pieces, you must utilize warm water and an all-natural soap or gentle cleanser that is entirely chemical-free. Ensure you meticulously clean all angles and corners of the pieces, particularly if they will be around babies who may put them in their mouths.
- Use warm or hot water to rinse off each piece.
- Ensure every puzzle piece is dry before reassembling because damp spots can grow mold.
Using a mop to clean a puzzle play mat is not recommended, as it can cause water to seep through the connections between each puzzle piece.
How to Clean Water Mats or Plastic Play Mats
This type of play mat is readily available in the market, and in terms of washing and maintenance, it is the easiest because it doesn’t absorb water.
All you have to do is to run water on it, scrubbed off with soap, and once you have done, remove the soap solution by applying the water. Plastic play mats should not be washed with hot water.
These play mats are usually plastic and very easy to wash and clean.
So its cleaning is simple and easy. All you have to do is scrub it lightly with vinegar and water.
When To Clean a PlayMat
Are you thinking of when to clean your baby’s play mat and the frequency? Then I will advise you to do it every week or at least once every two weeks.
You must not wait for it to be visibly dirty before you clean up your baby’s play mat.
Busy parents can use a vacuum cleaner to suck up crumbs and bits of dirt off of a dirty play mat, but it shouldn’t replace the cleaning of the play mat thoroughly so that you do not put your baby at risk of contracting germs.
Once your baby starts crawling, the frequency of cleaning should be increased because your baby becomes more prone to taking in germs.
Read Also: How To Clean a Pack and Play With Bed Bugs
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Wash Foam Baby Play Mats in a Washer?
To preserve the quality of your foam play mat, avoid washing it in a washing machine. This can cause damage and breakage to the foam material, ultimately ruining the mat.
How Regular Should I Clean My Baby’s Tummy Time Mat?
It’s recommended to clean your baby’s tummy time mat at least once a week. However, if you notice any visible dirt or spills, it’s best to clean it immediately.
Spot cleaning is sufficient for minor mishaps, but you may need to clean it more frequently than once weekly for bigger messes such as spit-up.
This is especially important if placing your newborn on the mat since their immune system has yet to develop fully. Keeping the mat clean will help keep your baby healthy and safe.
How To Clean Baby Care Mats
Baby Care brand is a great choice if you’re looking for a safe and eco-friendly playmat for your baby. Cleaning it is also easy – use water and a washcloth to wipe away any spills or messes. If you need a disinfectant, you can add vinegar.
Conclusion
I hope this article has given in-depth discussion to answer the question “how to wash baby play mat.”
Cleaning a baby play mat is a simple task that can be easily accomplished with the right tools and techniques.
Following the above steps, ensure your baby’s play area is clean, safe, and hygienic.
Remember, regular cleaning is essential to prevent the buildup of bacteria and germs on the mat. With a little effort and attention, you can keep your baby’s play area clean and healthy for them to enjoy.