Taking Care Of Your Mat

KOLO JOURNAL · CARE GUIDE

Taking Care of Your Mat

A simple guide to keeping your Kolo playmat soft, clean, and beautiful for the long haul · 6 min read

A Kolo playmat is built to live in your home for years — through tummy time, first crawls, dropped spoons, and the occasional rogue marker. With a little routine care, it will stay soft, clean and beautiful for the long haul. Here is how to look after it, the simple way.

What your Kolo mat is made from (and why it matters)

Every Kolo playmat is made from non-toxic PVC memory foam, chosen because it is wipe-clean, water-resistant, and gentle on small bodies. The mats are free from BPA, lead, phthalates, latex, EVA and formaldehyde, and tested to EN71 (European toy safety) and CPSIA (US child product safety) standards.

Knowing the material matters because it tells you how to clean it. Unlike a fabric mat, a Kolo mat does not go in the washing machine. Unlike a hard plastic mat, it does not take well to harsh sprays or alcohol-based cleaners. The good news: a soft cloth, warm water and a drop of mild soap will handle most of what life throws at it.

Everyday care: the 60-second wipe-down

Most days, this is all your mat needs.

1. Lift any toys or crumbs off the surface.
2. Wipe gently with a damp soft cloth — warm water, light circular motions.
3. If it needs more, add a small amount of mild dish soap or a baby-safe cleanser to the water.
4. Pat dry with a clean towel.

That is it. No soaking, no scrubbing, no need to flip and air-dry every time. A quick wipe at the end of the day keeps your mat looking new.

Spills and stains: a calm approach to the inevitable

Babies spill. Toddlers paint. Older siblings forget the lid. Here is how to handle the most common situations.

Milk, formula, juice, water. Wipe immediately with a damp cloth. If anything stays sticky, follow with a touch of mild soap and warm water, then pat dry.

Food (purée, yoghurt, sauces). Lift solids off first with a soft cloth, then clean the surface with mild soap and warm water. The wipe-clean surface releases food easily, no scrubbing required.

Tougher stains (banana, ink, tomato). Make a paste of one part bicarbonate of soda to three parts water. Apply gently with a soft cloth, leave for five to ten minutes, then wipe off and pat dry. Test on a small area first if you are nervous.

Pen, marker, crayon. Try the bicarb paste first. If it is a permanent marker, a gentle wipe with a touch of dish soap and warm water often shifts it. The earlier you catch it, the kinder the result.

The single most useful habit: act quickly. The longer a stain sits, the harder it works.

What to keep away from your mat

Some things will degrade or discolour the surface, even when they are marketed as gentle:

• Bleach, ammonia and chlorine-based sprays
• Alcohol-based cleaners and wipes (including most all-purpose surface sprays)
• Citrus and citric acid cleaners — they can dull the print over time
• Hypochlorous acid sprays (often marketed as baby-safe, but harsh on PVC)
• Magic Eraser-style melamine sponges — abrasive, even when they do not feel it
• Solvents: nail polish remover, white spirit, turpentine
• Direct heat — keep the mat away from radiators, fireplaces and long stretches of direct summer sun

Pen, nail varnish, berries (blueberries especially), strong tomato sauces, fake tan and turmeric are all known stainers. They will usually come off, but it is quicker to keep them on a tray.

Storing and rolling your mat

If you want to put the mat away — for travel, for a clean-floor evening, or just to vary the room — roll it gently with the design facing inwards. Do not fold it. Folding can crease the print over time, and creases are hard to undo.

Store it somewhere dry and out of direct sunlight. A cupboard, under a bed, or behind a sofa all work. The mat is light enough to carry one-handed and slim enough to slide into most storage spaces.

If your mat picks up a slight curl from being rolled, lay it flat for a few hours and it will settle.

A simple care calendar

Frequency	What to do
Every day	Quick wipe with a damp cloth. Lift any toys or crumbs off the surface.
Once a week	Mild soap and warm water across the full surface, both sides.
Once a month	Flip the mat, check the underside, wipe and pat dry.
As needed	Treat any spills immediately — speed beats anything else.

There is no need for a deep clean every month. The wipe-clean surface is the deep clean.

Frequently asked questions

Can I put my Kolo mat in the washing machine?

No. The foam is not designed to be machine washed or submerged. A damp cloth is all it needs.

Can I use baby wipes?

Most baby wipes are fine for a quick clean, as long as they are alcohol-free. Check the back of the pack — many "sensitive" wipes still contain alcohol or fragrance, both of which can dull the print over time.

Is the mat waterproof?

The surface is water-resistant and wipe-clean. It will handle spills, drool and the occasional flood from a sippy cup. But do not soak it or leave standing water on it for hours.

Can I vacuum it?

A soft brush or hand-held duster is kinder. The hard plastic edge of a vacuum nozzle can scuff the print. If you do use a vacuum, use the brush attachment and skim — do not press.

How do I get rid of new-mat smell?

Roll it out in a well-ventilated room for a day or two. Any packaging scent fades quickly.

How thick are Kolo mats?

Around 1.3cm — enough to soften a fall, slim enough to roll up and store away neatly.

How long will my Kolo mat last?

With basic care, years. The PVC memory foam holds its bounce, and the wipe-clean surface is built to take daily life. We have heard from families on their second baby still using their original mat.

The last word

A playmat is a piece of your home. Treated kindly, it will quietly do its job — softening falls, framing the room, and giving your little one a beautiful place to play. A damp cloth, a touch of soap and a little patience is really all it asks for.

If you ever have a question we have not answered here, you can reach us at hello@kolokids.ie. We would rather you ask twice than worry once.

— The Kolo Kids team