A Complete Guide to Cleaning TPU Baby Play Mats: Keeping Your Little One Safe and Healthy

Using Mista Wiwa:

1. From a distance of approximately 30cm, simply press on the trigger spray and let the mist cover the whole surface of your play mat.
2. Let stand for 30 seconds, before wiping down with a clean cloth. 

If you go down this route, that is it – no rinsing is necessary!

Simply remember to use a separate clean cloth (or our Mista Wiwa Eco Cloth) that you keep specially for play mat cleaning and you won’t risk any residue transfer from other cleaning products with harsh chemicals that may damage or discolour your play mat.

Using pH balanced soap and water mixture:

1. Dilute a mild pH balanced soap with warm water (ratio 1:5)
2. Place a clean cloth (or our Mista Wiwa Eco Cloth) soak in the mixture, and squeeze excess liquid.
3. Using a light pressure in a gentle sweeping motion, wipe clean the entire surface of your mat.
4. Repeat as needed or apply slightly more pressure into areas that need more attention.
5. If you desire, use a clean damp cloth to do a final wipe down before air drying.

While this is the recommended method of gently cleaning your play mat, if you feel that there is a need to use further cleaning products outside of our recommendation, the choice of product will be at the user’s own risk and discretion.

We would recommend that a spot test is performed prior to using the choice of cleaner by leaving it on your play mat for at least 48 hours and keeping a lookout for any reaction before further usage.

Little Wiwa play mats are crafted from non-toxic material and with its natural characteristics, it does require a little more TLC (tender loving care) and effort to keep its longevity so please do note:

• Avoid harsh chemical (abrasive agents, bleach, alcohol and essential oils) cleaning products to keep discolouration at bay, and as prolonged use may damage and weaken the material and cause it to easily tear.
• While most baby wipes are practical and antimicrobial, often they do contain fragrance stabilisers (a group of alcohol functional groups that act as preservative-like properties) which unfortunately is not suitable to clean TPU materials. 
• Remember to check ingredients listing carefully before use, as some natural sprays may contain alcohol/essential oils that are still considered strong degreaser and may cause discolouration.
• Do not use any sharp or hot objects around the mat to avoid puncture damages.
• Do not place heavy furniture on the play mat as sharp edges and prolonged pressure may cause puncture damage over time.
• Avoid leaving it in direct sunlight (or drying your mat under the sun) as it may cause heat damage and accelerate the ageing process of your mat.
• If cleaning your floors with a chemical, ensure that it is fully dry before placing your play mat back on the floor – residue transfers that we don’t realise of do happen.
• Pens, food colouring, crayons and permanent markers can stain the mats the same way they stain any furniture so make sure to avoid these.

At times, our little picassos do get away from us and somehow get their hands on a pen or sharpie and start drawing away. Do not lose all hope just yet as all may not be lost at this point.

Spot cleaning:

Mix bicarbonate soda and water into a paste (with a ratio of 1:1) and rub into affected areas, rinse and repeat as needed. This may help to lift some of the artwork your little one has imprinted onto the play mat, and if you’re lucky – most of it.

You may use this practice towards the entire surface of your play mat as a means to a deep clean if you wish to, but ensure that you rinse and remove all traces of the bicarb paste before air drying and letting your bub back on the play mat!

Preventing dirt and grime from building up is the first step in maintaining your play mat, and making it a habit to wipe off any spills immediately is a good practice to begin with. And if you had a bottle of Mista Wiwa handy, it should make your cleaning journey a breeze.

A bonus to an easy clean is feeling good about it – every Mista Wiwa bottles is refillable and has been crafted for use up to an infinite time, it is made to last and its ultra soft and luxurious touch makes it an absolute keeper. By refilling and reusing your bottle, together we can reduce single-use plastic from ending in landfill!

Keeping your play mat clean is not only about aesthetics but also about providing a healthy environment for your children’s playtime. By following the steps above, you can ensure your children have a safe and enjoyable play area. 

With proper care and maintenance, your play mat will continue to be a safe haven for countless adventures and precious memories. May your cleaning journey be filled with ease and remember that a clean play mat is a happy play mat for your little explorer!