This is a sponsored post. Nonetheless, this post is 100% my honest opinion. You can read about my disclosure policy here. 
As a result of my research and the popularity of my non-toxic play mat guide, I’ve inadvertently become a non-toxic play mat “expert.”
Which is only to say that I’ve had the privilege of being able to test and compare many different play mats. I always enjoy sharing when I’ve found a new play mat that makes my guide because the more options you have, the more likely you will find the best fit for your family.
Enter Linda from Comfort Design Mat. She offered to send me a play mat for testing and after asking some preliminary questions, I gladly accepted.
At a minimum, I need to know that the play mat has been tested for and/or is free of flame-retardants, formamide, formaldehyde, VOCs and azo dyes.
MATERIAL USED:
I have to preface this by saying that if the thought of using plastic anything bothers you, then you should stop reading here. The play mat is made from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) foam.
Basic TPU formulation is petroleum-based (hence, polyurethane). However, the material is inert, does not off-gas VOCs like polyurethane foam, and does not require plasticizers (e.g., phthalates) to achieve flexibility.
Thus, I consider TPU to fall in the non-toxic category. At a minimum, it is less toxic than the countless PVC play mats on the market. TPU is also the same material used by many mattress companies, like Naturpedic, to create the waterproof layer for their mattress pads.
Finally, one of the primary reasons I do not have reservations recommending Comfort Design Mat (and worth highlighting) is that I was able to review the laboratory tests provided by the company. (Almost every play mat company I’ve dealt with is willing to provide laboratory test results, but only few are as extensively tested.)
The results showed no phthalates and heavy metals besides trace amounts of Barium. When I inquired why Barium was present, this is the explanation that I received:
A little amount of Barium is needed to help with the density of our mats. Without it, our mats would be too soft to use and wouldn’t have the balance it needs to be both comfortable and durable. Barium is also used medically for swallow tests. We’ve double checked this with the lab and they confirmed that we passed all safety tests including [in] this area.
To be clear, the lab results found 147ppm and 128ppm of Barium. The reporting limit is 100ppm (under that amount and it is considered not detected). The soluble limit is 1000ppm. Over 1000ppm, it would be considered unsafe in baby products.
More than anything, I believe that it is important to make purchasing decisions as an informed consumer. Knowing this, it is up to you, the parent, to determine what the acceptable risks for your family are.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
Whenever I receive plastic play mats, the first thing I do is to stick my face in it and take a big whiff. This is what I call my mommy-nose-VOC’s-test. Based on this very unscientific test, there was virtually zero scent, no toxic smells, and the mat did not need to be “aired” out prior to use.
The play mat is very large, measuring approximately 55″ x 78 3/4″ and 1/2″ thick. Compared to other foam play mats I’ve tested, the TPU surface feels slightly plasticky and is a softer and squishier material. For instance, it is slightly less shock-absorbent than say PVC foam, but I still find that it creates a very comfortable play surface.
I really love the elegant design options and the Garden Blossom design (soft pink and white florals) that I chose fits into my daughter’s room perfectly. I was definitely looking for something that could pass as an area rug. When I buy things, I always strive for longevity so a non-baby design appeals more to me than the bright, busy, alphabet/animal/train play mats.
The play mat is made of one solid material with a waffle-like imprint which appears to be ubiquitous amongst plastic foam play mats. There are no cracks and crevices for food/dirt/dust to get into, although the slight waffle texture can trap liquids. (This just requires a more vigorous rubbing motion when drying the mat.)
The edges of the play mat are melted together which creates a slightly wavy appearance and yellowish tinge. This is not a detail that bothers me and is barely noticeable but worth mentioning as a general observation.
OVERALL THOUGHTS:
Comfort Design is definitely an excellent non-toxic foam play mat option. I would say that the main benefits to plastic play mats, and specifically Comfort Design play mats, is threefold:
- Cost effectiveness: Of all of the play mats that I’ve reviewed, Comfort Design is one of the last expensive. I don’t think a safe play surface should be limited to parents who are willing to spend hundreds of dollars on play mats.
- Ease of cleaning: Plastic play mats are, generally, exceptionally easy to clean. I just use a microfiber cloth to wipe it down with either a gentle cleaner or water.
- Safety and comfort: Foam play mats are superior in terms of shock-absorbency versus non-foam materials. I believe that foam play mats are the best options for hardwood floors.
In terms of long term wear, I was told that pen and marker stains will not come off, although crayons and other marks should wipe off easily. The main concern is that if sharp objects are scratched with pressure into the foam, it may result in some damage. The manufacturer has also found that furniture may be placed on the mats without causing permanent indentations.
Overall, I am really glad that I found this play mat company because it is now my top budget-friendly option.
If you would like to purchase your own Comfort Design Mat, I have worked out a deal that is exclusive to Mommy to Max readers. Linda has promised me that there will be no better deal found on her play mats than via my site(!!), so here goes:
Receive 10% off when you use coupon code: MTM10OFF (Comfort Design is also available on Amazon here but you can get the best deal by buying directly from their site and using my coupon code.)
If you decide to purchase a Comfort Design play mat, I would love to hear what you think!
I am sorry but this TPU mat just doesn’t compare to Dwinguler and Baby Care Brands. Period. lThere is a reason why Amazon has 2500+ reviews with a 4.8 star rating versus these cheaper and unsafe mats out there. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/cr/B01MY709TZ/ref=cm_cr_arp_mb_viewopt_srt?sortBy=recent&pageNumber=1
I suggest you do an honest review of those two brands to see the quality for yourself.
Hi Susan, I have, in fact, reviewed the Baby Care play mat which you can check out here. If you read my review, you will see that I noted that the Comfort Design mat is squishier and more plasticky feeling than other mats I’ve tested. By virtue of being a different type of plastic, TPU WILL feel different from PVC. The issue is, I think you are confusing the feel of the plastic with quality. Keep in mind that while PVC may feel like it’s better “quality” it is also considered a toxic material. It’s up to you to weigh the pros and cons.
Thank you for the reply to my comment. Good point. From my research, its the plasticizers used in PVC that make it toxic. Not the poly vinyl itself. As far as I know, the Dwinguler and BabyCare mats are the only Mats that pass the more stringent European Baby Products testing standards as well as the USA tests. I am still amazed EVA foam mats are allowed to be sold in USA when its banned by some European countries! ♀️
The plasticizers in PVC leach and/or off-gas so even though Baby Care and Dwingular pass the more stringent EU standards, I don’t recommend those play mats due to toxicity concerns. I also do not recommend EVA foam mats for the exact reason you mention.
The play mats I do recommend are not known to be toxic BUT we don’t know today what we will know tomorrow. Science and knowledge is always changing. I’m just doing the best I can. 🙂
1. I absolutely disagree with your statement that Dwinguler Playmats are toxic. It wouldn’t pass the more stringent tests if it was toxic. Poor quality plasticizers used in pvc make those pvc products toxic from my research. PVC in itself is not toxic. Again it won’t pass European testing standards if it was toxic.
2. I don’t think the Playmats you recommend are known to be non-toxic. Example: creamhaus is still in the news in Korea for its toxicity. Nobody will touch it, yet you continue to recommend that product?
3. I will never buy EVA foam puzzle mats for our home. That is what off gases and has been banned in a couple European countries.
Susan, do you know exactly what kind of plasticizer is used by Dwingular? Are you able to definitively say that there are NO toxicity concerns with that plasticizer? Or any plasticizer for that matter? [https://healthybuilding.net/uploads/files/phthalate-free-plasticizers-in-pvc.pdf]
Keep in mind that the manufacture of polyvinyl chloride itself is toxic.
Passing stringent tests in no way means there are zero concerns about the product. The tests have minimum limits but that does not mean the presence of toxic elements are non-existent. There are many more resources out there about the concerns regarding PVC. My blog is not the place for that and I think we’ll just have to agree to disagree on this point.
Finally, if you read my guide, then you would know that I also addressed the Cream Haus controversy here. It is up to my readers to draw their own conclusions from the information provided.
Personally, I would choose a Cream Haus or Comfort Design mat over a PVC play mat, any day.
Thanks for the review and all of your play mat reviews. I just ordered one of these, I have been so indecisive and need something for my twins. I ended up ordering on amazon because the free shipping was a better deal than the 10% off, and this way there are easy returns if I need to return. I will try to come back and let you know how I like it.
Thanks for letting me know. Please update with your thoughts!
I really appreciate your honest reviews of products! It’s so tough deciding on what to get! Even when it came to choosing a rug for my daughters room, it was incredibly difficult to find one that is “baby safe.” It’s honestly so frustrating that we have so many dangerous products in the marketplace.
Thank you for your kind words!
Thank you so much for your playmat guide. Could you provide an opinion on this Parklon mat? https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06XJJ6LBN/ref=mp_s_a_1_5_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1528496622&sr=8-5&keywords=parklon+playmat&dpPl=1&dpID=51WCkrOM88L&ref=plSrch
Hi Jen, it looks like the material is PVC, which I talk about extensively in my post!
Hi,
Thank you so much for all of this helpful information. I am curious as to your thoughts on a new brand of play mats.. Little Nomad. They are made of EVA foam, but claim to have gone through much rigorous testing. I believe they are manufactured in Taiwan. Thanks in advance!
https://www.little-nomad.com/collections/play-mats-and-decor/products/silver-lining?variant=41364322125
We are loving our Comfort Design Mat. I just purchased another for my mom’s house so my daughter can roll around care free. Loving the easy clean up and thickness. If I had the $$ I may have tried out one of your other recommendations, but this was a great option and didn’t break the bank. There are so many things to think about as a new Mom, so I really appreciate your research on this topic. My friends have Little Nomad (made of EVA) wondering about this brand as well.
I have been following your blog extensively in my search for a non toxic yet stylish and affordable play mat – thank you for all the information! Do you have an opinion on the Little Bot Ofie playmat? It is made of TPU foam like the comfort designs ones you have reviewed.
https://littlebot.ca/collections/frontpage/products/ofie-mat-little-bot-2nd-generation-play-mat-ultra-soft-and-durable-zen-line-and-triangle
Thanks in advance!
Hi Karen, where did you find information that it is made from TPU foam?
It looks like the original Little Bot is made from XPE foam. However, it wasn’t clear what their new “Ofie” mat is made from. Unfortunately, without knowing more and without being able to look at what type of laboratory tests were performed, it’s impossible for me to draw a conclusion.
Hi! I emailed the company and they also sent me their laboratory reports. Could I email this to you to take a look? Thanks!
I would love to hear thoughts of the laboratory reports as I’m also interested in this mat. Thanks!
Hi Aya, I responded to Karen regarding Little Bot via e-mail:
I don’t see the test for heavy metals. I don’t feel comfortable making a determination one way or another without more thorough testing.
Hi to both Karen and Lotus- I have also been following and reading extensively on this subject in my search for a play mat. Wanted to follow up to see if Little Bot got back in terms of the additional testing, such as the referenced heavy metals mentioned in the reply from Lotus. I would be happy to reach out to them to see if this hadn’t been done, as I am quite interested in their Ofie mat as well if it’s truly safer.
I emailed the company asking if they tested for heavy metals and they replied saying they tested for lead (the result was that there was no lead detected in the mat).
Hi, my understanding after a brief look into TPU is that it is processed with Isocyanates which are very toxic, but if completely processed and bonded correctly the product becomes entirely free of isocyanates and is then non-toxic (so the health risk is essentially only to people in the factory, not the end-users). Can you share whether the testing done on this product confirms no Isocyanates remain? Thanks (reference: https://www.livingnaturaltoday.com/2018/02/tpu-vs-pvc-plastic-air-mattresses/)
Hi Lotus- thank you so much for all the time you have put into your research and for sharing your knowledge with us!
I’m hoping you might help me understand the tests that you feel are missing for the Little Bot Ofie mat, particularly as compared to the comfort design mat which you note as being at least mostly non-toxic. I like the look of the Ofie mats more, but obviously care more about safety for my little. I have a copy of the Little Bot lab reports and planned to compare them to Comfort design; however I emailed Comfort Design and never heard back.
For me, the Cremehaus mats are too thick and I’d like something thinner… but still easy to wipe clean since we do have a dog as well!
Thanks!
Brittany
Hi Brittany, a more thorough report would be to include testing for more heavy metals (as an example, Cream Haus tests for 19 different heavy metals).
The reason why I would be concerned with Ofie is because, at least, with Comfort Design, we know how much barium was found. If Ofie offered similar results, I would not have issues with this mat either.
Thank you for your reply! Did Comfort Design test for some extra heavy metals as well or just barium? They never responded to my email about lab reports unfortunately- so I really appreciate you filling me in! 🙂
I actually ordered a comfort design mat, but just checking to ensure it’s truly a safer option than others.
Thanks!!
Brittany
https://littlebot.ca/blogs/littlebots-story/how-safe-is-our-play-mat As time has passed here Is a link regarding the safety of their mats …. do you have any opinions on if this is equivalent to the comfort design mats as I live in Canada and it would be a more affordable option and it says the comfort design can’t ship to my house which makes it a hassle to drive to style border .
Hi, thanks for the post. Do you know which barium compounds are in the mats (e.g. barium chloride, barium sulfate, etc…)? Some barium compounds that are soluble, such as barium chloride, can enter bloodstream more easily than insoluble barium compounds such as barium sulfate.
I too emailed them twice and messaged them twice through their website about lab results and they haven’t responded. Can you share the lab results? Also wondering about Isocyanates. Thanks!
I received the lab reports today and am happy to share it with anyone who is interested! IT doesn’t specify what formulation of barium. Here is what the response from Little Bot was — 8 heavy metals have been tested according to US ASTM-F963-17 standard. The heavy metal tested are: Lead (Pb), Antimony (Sb), Arsenic (As), Barium (Ba), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Mercury (Hg), Selenium (Se). Test results show ND (None Detected).
I’ve been reading extensively about a safe playmat for my newborn, and still find myself struggling to make a comfortable decision. I was initially leaning toward the Cream Haus brand, but now concerned given updated information.
I’d prefer something that’s easy to clean and with cushion since our flooring is hard. What have recent moms been leaning towards or buying for their little ones? Would it be recommended to buy the LIttleBot cushion instead? The website says “free of heavy metals” but not sure exactly what is tested for. Or the wander & roam mat? Would be so grateful for any guidance, pleaseee!
Has Comfort Design gone out of business? I have only found them on Amazon. What do we know about toxicity of Little Nomad or Copenhagen Kids? EVA Foam but Copenhagen says they have no formamide which I am surprised by. Wander and Roam seems to be a good option.