When I was pregnant with Max and researching non-toxic play mats, there were very limited options available. I ended up with a Baby Care Play Mat – which is a GREAT play mat (you can read my review here) – but for the fact that it is made out of PVC. The company claims that the PVC is non-toxic. Nonetheless, it is PVC. If I were to err on the side of caution, and I could do it all over again, I would stay away from all PVC. And, if there are good alternatives, why take the risk, right? (I have since compiled a list of The Best Non-Toxic Play Mats for Baby that I have found.)
Recently, Max started rolling out of his toddler bed and onto our hardwood floors. Seeing his head smack the floor while he was dead asleep and hearing the accompanying thud is not a vision I ever want to relive.
That’s when I started my search anew for truly non-toxic play mats.
I came across Pillobebe, an amazing company, started by Lauren because she was having the same issues I had – she couldn’t find any good non-toxic play mats. So she created her own!
I reached out to Lauren because I wanted to review her Organic Cotton Play Mat and she generously provided me with a blogger’s discount.
So let me tell you what makes Pillobebe’s play mats so amazing. Aside from it being truly non-toxic – does not contain formamide, fire-retardants, PVC, BPA, PBS, formaldehyde, phthalates, lead, and VOCs – it is handmade in the USA using 100% GOTS Certified Organic Cotton for the cover. I absolutely love the beautifully designed covers which, unlike most children play’s mat, are not too loud or busy.
There are two non-toxic padding options: polyester and cotton/bamboo. I chose the cotton/bamboo padding and it is wonderfully thick. My biggest concern with natural fiber mats has always been whether or not the play mat would sufficiently protect against hard falls on my hardwood floors.
Max was able to test that out the very first night. He rolled out of his toddler bed and fell flat onto his back. I guess he wasn’t satisfied with the effect because he then proceeded to roll off the mat until his head hit the wood floor. And there is just nothing we can do to prevent that. (Why are toddlers so weird??)
While the play mat does a good job protecting against falls, it is worth noting that it is not as shock-absorbent as, say, (toxic) foam or PVC play mats.
The play mat is large, approximately 55″ X 55″. However, for those of you who would like an even larger play space, Pillobebe has a CorkiMat line – 19″ square tiles composed from natural cork, bamboo, and cotton – where the size is far more customizable.
The play mat cover is removable and machine-washable and contains anti-slip dots, on the underside, that work great on my hardwood floors!
The padding has a water-resistant cover which I’m grateful for because we all know that babies and toddlers leak fluids everywhere (and out of every orifice). Due to the nature of the material, the padding is not machine-washable. The padding can only be hand washed and the bamboo/cotton filling may bunch after washing. (I have not yet washed the padding so I cannot attest to the extent in which it bunches.)
The play mat cover can wrinkle and does not lie completely flat after we’ve played on it. This isn’t really preventable since the play mat is made from fabric and is probably just be a personal aesthetic pet peeve of mine.
Let’s address the biggest drawback. It’s expensive. Before any sales and discounts, the cotton/bamboo filling option is $249 and the polyester filling option is $199. However, I can’t find a comparable play mat in quality, size, attractiveness and non-toxicity. So, despite the price tag, I actually do think it’s worth it!
Overall, Pillobebe’s Organic Cotton Play Mat is an excellent, high-quality play mat and, most importantly, unquestionably non-toxic. I love baby products that make me feel good. And this one definitely makes me feel good.
For those of you who are interested in buying a Pillobebe play mat, Pillobebe is very generously giving away $100 in shop credit to one of my readers.
The giveaway will run until February 29th, 2016, 11:59PM. I will e-mail the winner within 48 hours. Good luck!
Disclosure: I was not financially compensated for writing this post. I did, however, receive a blogger’s discount for review purposes. Nonetheless, this review is 100% my honest opinion and, to the best of my ability, an unbiased review.
id love to buy the CorkiMat- Whimsical Wood so my little one would have a safe, comfy place to play on.
Beads and fruit is adorable…so many to choose from! My girls need a cute and safe place to play
I’ve always wanted to purchase the bamboo corkimats! Safety for my child is top priority especially now that’s she’s mobile.
I am looking for a playmat. Like you said, it is expensive, I’ll have to look around more before I make the decision. Thank you for the review though!
Hi Tamy, I hope you find what you are looking for 🙂
I would love to get the CorkiMat – Whimsical Wood – Yellow because I love the colors!
I like the CorkiMat™ – Only Forest Friends because our family owns an RV park so the pattern is perfect.
Organic Cotton Bib because of the way it fits
Would love the CorkiMat in Forest friends
I like the woodland animals or forest friends.
I really love the Organic Cotton Play Mat – Forest Friends because it looks so comfortable and beautiful!
Thank You for the great review and giveaway
I would love to buy the organic play mat for my first baby who might be born any day now. I want to start his life out right with safe products and a good environment.
I would love to buy for my baby boy!! This would be perfect for play.
Organic Cotton Play Mat – Pink Sea
Love the forest friends!
Love these – just what we were trying to find for our new baby! All the patterns are great! Also love the CorkiMat!
I would love to buy the organic cotton/bamboo play mat for our baby girl. Looking for a product that is chemical free for her to play on and this is perfect!
I love the Whimsical Wood corkimat!! These are so great!
Organic Cotton Play Mat – Forest Friends: It looks fun and great!
I’d love the Forest Friends Organic Cotton Play Mat for my daughter!
I like the Organic Cotton Play Mat Cover – Forest Friends
I would like the Birds and Berries CorkiMat because it’s cute and a great place for babies to play!
I love the CorkiMat clouds spotting
I’d love the Organic Cotton Play Mat – Forest Friends
I really like the Organic Cotton Play Mat in the Forest Friends pattern.
I like the CorkiMat- Whimsical Wood so my cousin would have a safe place to play on.
I like the Organic Cotton Play Mat – Forest Friends. I’m expecting my 2nd child this summer, and we finally have room for a mat this big!!
CorkiMat™ – Woodland and Berries | Pink – It’s great to have a safe, soft place for the GRANDbabies to lay.
I would love the Woodland Autumn mat! The designs are gorgeous!
I would love the Organic Cotton Play Mat – Forest Friends, it’s perfect!
i would have to purchase the CorkiMat™ – Beads and Feathers ! I love this idea so much!
I would buy the Forest organic cotton play mat for my niece
I would love the CorkiMat™ – Woodland Critters | Orange 4 tile set
I like the whimsical Corki mat
I love the corkimat tiles! It would be too hard to choose which one I want!
The organic cotton “pebble” bibs are so adorable. It’s nice to know what’s coming in contact with your child’s skin 🙂
I like the organic cotton flower bed play mat. It has my child’s two favorite colors!
The Forest Friends design is adorable. My sister is expecting a baby boy in June and this would be so cute as a shower gift.
I got a sample of the corkimat and it feels like such a great product! I am excited a safe product like this is on the market and I purchased one of the sets, haven’t received it yet, but I want to eventually buy more for a larger space for my moving boy!! Thanks for this great opportunity! 🙂
looks cool!
I like the Corkimat – Flowers on Woolen. So pretty. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.
I like the pebbles mint play mat because it is made with organic cotton.
I would love to buy their Forest Friends organic cotton play mat because it’s super cute and made of organic cotton.
Crockimat in forest freinds is cute
We’d love the Forest Friends playmat because it matches Abby’s nursery and I’d feel happy and confident about her laying and playing on something safe.
I’d love the play mat you tried in white with the cotton/bamboo filling, it’s just what I’ve been looking for!
I would love to get the Organic Cotton Play Mat – Birds & Tulips because the colors are fine for either or a boy or a girl (not sure of the baby’s sex yet) & I would love to have a soft safe mat for the baby to lay & play on!
Thanks for an AWESOME giveaway!
I would love to get the Organic Cotton Play Mat. I’ve spent hours upon hours researching for the best and safest play mat for my baby, and this looks perfect!
Looks cute!
I really would love the Organic Cotton Play Mat – Pebbles Mint!! It’s so cute and I love that it’s organic!
I WOULD DEFINITELY GET AN ORGANIC COTTON PLAYMAT
I like the Caravan of Love Play Mat because the cute print makes me smile!
Question please – how is the playmat covering waterproof? Many times when things are waterproofed they contain PFAS.