CremeHaus Non-Toxic Play Mat
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When you look for a play mat for your baby, you will notice that there are a lot of play mats that are made of EVA foams. These mats are usually a lot cheaper than the non-toxic, organic mats. However, EVA foam is found to off-gas formamide which is toxic. Formamide is a known carcinogenic chemical. It can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its fumes but also through the skin and by ingestion. It can damage central nervous system or reproductive health. The mat releases formamide the strongest when it is new and the amount of off-gasing decreases over time. Some manufacturers of these EVA foam mats claim their EVA foam is non-toxic or say their mat is formamide free. However, these companies can say the mats are formamide free, when in fact, the mats still contain formamide. When these EVA foam mats are tested for formamide, they are only tested up to a certain level. The formamide level is not regulated well enough in US that the companies can say they are formamide-free as long as they don’t reach that certain level. Then the manufacturers can hide behind the claim that their products meets all safety regulations. Some manufacturers may say their mats are formamide free since their formamide level is not high. However, according to OEKO-TEST Report, a consumer watch dog magazine, currently, there is no formamide-free mats in the market. OEKO-TEST Report also concluded that foam mats also contain PAH (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) which can cause cancer, in unacceptable levels. (read about it more here and here.
PVC (polyvinyl chloride or vinyl) is another material for mats that is toxic. Phthalates from PVC are dangerous chemicals. They are linked to birth defects, neurodevelopmental problems in newborns, cancer, obesity, fertility issues, etc. PVC also contains vinyl chloride, heavy metals, dioxins, etc, which are human carcinogen. PVC is the most toxic plastic and it has toxicity from a manufacturing stage to a consumer stage to a disposal stage. PVC leaches toxic chemicals from the product over time. Those toxic chemicals can be inhaled or get absorbed through skin contact. Again, the companies can say the mats are made from phthalate free pvc but PVC materials will still leach other harmful chemicals. Usually, phthalates are used as plasticizers to make the PVC material soft and flexible. If the manufacturers say phthalates are not used to make the PVC material for their mat, you may want to check what other material is used to replace phthalates as plasticizers. It is possible that hose replacements can be just as harmful. I would just avoid EVA foam and PVC mat entirely.
Non-toxic mats are more expensive than mats made of EVA foam or PVC but the price will be worth it for your baby’s health and well-being. If you are spending lots of time on the play mat with your baby every day, consider health effects of the toxic mats. I have listed truly non-toxic play mats below.
CremeHaus Folding Non-Toxic Play Mat
Go New Mommy’s Choice
In my opinion, this is the best non-toxic play mat. The materials used are not only non-toxic but also the play mat is very thick to protect your baby when she falls.
If you are interested in buying this mat, my readers get 10% off with coupon code GONEWMOMMY10 on their website.
Read a review on ‘Best Non-Toxic Play Mat 2017 – Cremehaus Non-Toxic Folding Play Mat’.
Cremehaus Non-Toxic Play Mat
CremeHaus Folding Non-toxic play mat is made from extra thick, non-toxic PE foam and is free of PVC, EVA, TPA, BPA, Lead, Phthalates, Fire Retardants, Formamide, Formaldehyde and other VOC’s. (You can see full test reports here. – ASTM(American Standards) / CE(European Standards) PE foam is food-grade and is laminated into 10 thin layers of foam sheets through a chemical-free adhesive method in order to achieve optimal thickness. The mat is very thick (1.6 inches) so it protects a baby when she/he falls. The foams can be recycled after use.
The cover is made from PU leather. PU leather is made from castor oil based polyols and is certified by USDA as a bio based product. The cover is waterproof and you can just wipe clean with baby wipes or neutral cleaning solution. I bought 2 of these mats for my baby and am very happy with mats. They are not only truly non-toxic but also very thick.
If you are interested in buying this mat, my readers get 10% off with coupon code GONEWMOMMY10 on their website.
CremeHaus Modular Cube Non-Toxic Play Mat
Cremehaus Module Non-Toxic Mat
Cremehaus Modular Cube Play Mat comes in a set of 4 individual cube mats. There are Velcro strips on all edges for easy assemble. You can mix different colors or expand the size of the mats by adding more cube mats. The materials used for this mat are the same as the Folding Play Mat.
If you are interested in buying this mat, my readers get 10% off with coupon code GONEWMOMMY10 on their website.
Pillobebe Corkimat, Corkimat Lite, Corkimat Plus Non-Toxic Play Mat
Phillobebe Corkimat Non-Toxic Play Mat
This mat is also handmade in USA and is made from 100% certified organic cotton. Corkimat uses natural cork with bamboo and organic cotton padding. The CorkiMat Lite uses hypoallergenic polyester padding. The padding is 1 inch thick. The cover is removable for washing and has anti-slip silicone dots on the cotton. Modules are easily connected with Velcro squares. You can also stack and store them easily. If you want larger tiles, you can go for the CorkiMat Plus.
Pillobebe Organic Cotton Non-Toxic Play Mat
Phillobebe Organic Cotton Non-Toxic Play Mat
Pillobebe Organic Cotton Play Mat is handmade in USA and is made from 100% certified organic cotton. It is also free of Formamide, Fire-retardants, PVC, BPA, PBS, Formaldehyde, Phthalates, Lead, and harmful VOCs. There two options for padding: bamboo/cotton padding or hypoallergenic polyester padding. The cover is removable for washing and has anti-slip silicone dots on the cotton. The blanket is 1/2″ thick. If you are looking for a high density mat, consider their CorkiMat instead. You can also add an extra pad on your purchase to make it thicker.
Organic Designs Organic Play Mat
Organic Designs Organic Play Mat
Organic Designs organic play mat is made from 100% certified organic cotton, filled with organic filling, and backed with organic flannel to provide added warmth. The mat is handmade in USA. There are no flame retardants, harmful dyes or toxic chemicals. They are not pre-washed to preserve the organic status.
Kutchu Children’s Natural Rubber Non-Toxic Play Mat
Kutchu Children’s Natural Rubber Non-Toxic Play Mat
Kutchu Children’s Natural Rubber Play Mat is made from natural rubber and is phthalates, foaming agents and chemical flame retardants that can be found in synthetic materials. The mat’s cushioning is similar to a yoga mat. The mat is reversible with two colors: fresh green and summer violet. The mat is made of natural rubber so it will initially have a natural rubber scent which will fade over time. The scent is natural and not harmful as there is no chemical off-gassing with natural rubber. You can simply wipe the mat for cleaning with a damp cloth. The mat’s safety is tested by an independent laboratory and is certified to meet all North-American toy safety standards.
