In short: PVC and EVA mats are safe for homes and children when you choose mats with little or no smell and air them for a day before use. EVA foam tiles cost KSh 649 each and PVC S mats for wet areas KSh 2,499 per metre at Excel Deco, Summit House, Moi Avenue, Nairobi.

What makes a mat safe

• Low smell. A strong plastic smell means heavy plasticisers. Our EVA tiles are low odour.
• Non slip base. So the mat does not slide on tiles.
• Closed cell foam. It does not soak up spills or harbour germs.
• Firm edges. Interlocking edges that stay locked and do not become loose pieces.

Safe use with children

Air new mats outside for a day. Wipe them weekly with mild soap. Check that edge pieces are locked, because small pieces can be chewed. Replace a tile once it tears.

PVC mats in kitchens and bathrooms

S mats and coil mats drain water through the loops, so floors stay dry and slips drop. Hose them down weekly.

Setting up a safe play corner at home

A play corner does not need to fill the room. Take a corner of 2.4 x 2.4 metres in a living room. EVA tiles are 600 x 600mm, so you need 4 tiles by 4 tiles.

• 16 tiles x KSh 649 = KSh 10,384.
• For a smaller space, an EVA play set costs KSh 2,599 to 3,499.

Set it up the safe way:

1. Lay the mats on a clean, dry, flat floor.
2. Keep the play area away from the jiko, gas cooker and sockets.
3. Keep it clear of sharp table corners.
4. Press every joint closed so small fingers cannot pick pieces out.

A play corner on a tiled floor also protects your tiles from dropped toys. When the children outgrow it, the tiles lift up and can go into a home gym or store room.

Check these when the mats arrive

• Smell: a light smell that fades in a day is normal. A strong chemical smell that stays is a reason to call us.
• Edges: they should be clean, with no loose crumbs of foam.
• Thickness: every tile should be the same. A thin tile makes a trip step.
• Flat: tiles that were rolled may curl at first. Lay them flat and they settle.
• Air them: leave new mats in an open room for a day before children use them.

If a mat smells strong when it arrives, do not give up on it at once. Leave it standing on its edge in a room with the windows open for a day. Most of the smell from packing fades this way.

Cleaning mats in a Nairobi home

Dust blows in through windows. Children bring in soil from outside. Mats need a quick clean often more than a deep clean rarely.

• Sweep or vacuum every day.
• Wipe with warm water and a little mild soap.
• Skip strong chemicals. Plain soapy water is enough.
• Lift the tiles once a week and sweep under them. Dust and crumbs collect in the joints.
• Dry the mats fully before you lay them back, more so in the cold June and July months.

Running a daycare? See daycare floor mats for bigger areas.

Slips and trips in wet areas

Most falls at home happen on wet tiles. A PVC S mat at KSh 2,499 per metre lets water drain through and gives bare feet a grip.

• Put one at the shower step out and by the bath.
• Use one at the kitchen sink where water drips.
• Rinse it each week so soap does not build up.
• Lay it flat, with no edge curled up to trip over.

For pools and wet decks, see pool anti slip mats. For all options and prices, see anti slip mat prices and our EVA foam mats.

Older parents and grandparents benefit too. A mat at the bathroom door and by the bed gives a safer step in the night.

On stairs or steps, do not lay loose mats. A loose mat on a step is a common cause of falls. Use mats only on flat floors.

Shop the products on this page

EVA Interlocking Foam Mats 600 x 600mmKSh 649PVC S MatKSh 2,499PVC Coil MatKSh 2,599

Questions buyers ask

Are EVA foam mats safe for babies?

Yes when they are low odour and kept clean. Ours are the type used in daycares in Nairobi.

Do PVC mats smell?

Cheap ones do. Ours have a light smell that goes within a day of airing.

Can PVC mats be washed?

Yes. Soap and water, then dry in the shade.

Are they fire safe?

They are not fire proof. Keep them away from open flames and heaters.

How often should I replace a child’s play mat?

Replace a tile when it tears, crumbles at the edges or stays dented. Single EVA tiles can be swapped without buying a whole set.

Are PVC S mats safe for bare feet?

Yes, they are made for wet areas like showers and pools where people walk barefoot. Rinse them weekly so soap does not make them slippery.

Which mat is best for a daycare?

EVA interlocking tiles at KSh 649 each are the usual choice for play rooms. Add PVC S mats near the wash area.

Shop and read next

• EVA foam mats
• Daycare floor mats
• PVC S mat
• EVA mat prices