How to Care for Your Play Mat

Play mats are one of the most important essentials in the first year of your baby’s life. The right play mat provides a soft, supportive surface for your little one to engage in tummy time and floor play, which is crucial for their motor and cognitive development. Loved by families all over the world for its superior softness and responsive cushioning, the Toki mat is the perfect play mat to help babies learn to love tummy time and work on gross motor skills.

The Toki mat is made from natural latex foam, a durable and non-toxic material that has a unique, marshmallow-like feel. The best part? It’s foldable and portable for on-the-go use, which means you always have a safe space to lay your baby down and work on movement. Frequent use—especially outside–means that your play mat will inevitably get dirty. Here’s the best way to keep your mat clean and in tip-top shape for years to come.

Types of Play Mats & How to Clean Them

Vegan Leather

Our vegan leather play mat cover is a favorite among parents because it’s a waterproof material. Made from OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certified water-based, microfiber PU leather, our vegan leather is still soft and smooth to the touch, but wipeable for easy clean up.

Whether your little one spills drool, milk, or spit-up, you can use a gentle, chemical-free cleaner to wipe the surface clean.

Organic Cotton

Our organic cotton play mat features a cover made from 100% GOTS certified organic cotton. The fabric is wonderfully soft, and only gets softer over time to create an ultra comfortable space for your baby to play.

To keep the organic cotton cover clean, wash and dry with no heat. The fabric is not pre-shrunk, but is cut slightly larger to allow for some shrinkage after the first wash. If the cover already fits on the snug side, let it air dry instead of tumble drying. If the cover fits a bit loose, use low heat to slightly shrink the fabric. After the first wash, the cover should fit perfectly snug, then gently stretch out as your little one plays on the mat.

Bamboo Jersey

Our bamboo jersey play mat cover is made from an OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certified fabric blend of 62% Viscose from Bamboo, 25% Organic Cotton, and 13% Spandex. The fabric is buttery soft and stretchy for cloud-like comfort.

To keep the bamboo jersey cover clean, wash on delicate and tumble dry on low.

How to Care for Latex Foam

Natural latex foam, especially Dunlop latex, is one of the most durable types of foam available. It lasts longer than memory foam and polyurethane foam, and is far healthier for your little one and the environment.

Your play mat cover is designed to protect your latex foam and keep it soft over the years. If you notice your foam turning yellow, there’s no need to fret! Due to the oxidation of the plant material, natural latex foam turns yellow as it ages. This is a natural process and does not affect the quality or performance of the foam.

If your latex foam gets dirty, you may spot clean it with a mild soap and water. Avoid leaving the foam out in direct sunlight or exposed to air for a long period of time, as it will begin to dry out and become brittle. If you have a cotton or bamboo jersey cover, consider using a waterproof cover as an underlayer to further protect the mat and extend the life of the latex foam.