Tatami Mat vs Crawling Mat: A Comprehensive Comparison

When trying to find the best possible floor covering for your home, it’s best to first figure out which space are you trying to fill. When it comes to covering the area where your children play, there are two very popular options which come to mind. You can put either a crawl mat or a tatami mat. Both options are a good choice, especially for the little ones, and that is why we will do a comprehensive comparison for both these mats where we will cover their benefits, features and suitability. We want you to make an informed decision based on practical advice so if you were searching for the perfect floor solution, a comparison between tatami mats and a crawling mat is a good place to start.

Can I put a tatami mat on the bed frame?

Tatami mats were originally used as a type of flooring in most Japanese homes. They were able to provide a firm and supportive surface for all areas in the home. Even though it’s not considered to be conventional, you can put a tatami mat directly on a bed frame which will provide for a firmer sleeping surface. Before doing that, please make sure that the bed frame can evenly support the mat, which will prevent any sagging or damage. If you do decide to put one on your bed frame, keep in mind that it won’t provide much comfort or fit as a mattress would since the mat was originally designed to be put on the floor, whereas a mattress was made to be put on a bed frame.

How to clean a tatami mat?

Tatami mats are considered the easiest thing to clean, especially if you got a quality one like Relax Mat – Soft Touch Tatami Mat. You should regularly clean it if you want to maintain its integrity and longevity. Here are a couple of steps on how you can get started:

• Vacuuming: You can use a vacuum cleaner that has a brush attachment which can remove dust and debris. If your vacuum cleaner has a power setting, make sure you’re not using it on max in order to avoid damaging the fibres, and to avoid any damage you should vacuum along the grain of the mat.
• Clean any spots: Once you or someone else spills something on the mat, it’s advised you immediately blot the area with a dry, clean cloth which can absorb the liquid. Unless the mat is spill proof, make sure you’re lightly tapping instead of rubbing because rubbing will usually spread the stain.   
• Deep Clean: It’s advices that once in a while you perform a deeper clean on the mat. Do this by using a small amount of gentle detergent mixed with some water to wipe away any stubborn stain. Make sure that the cloth is well wrung out to prevent excess moisture.
• Drying: After you clean your mat, make sure that you dry it out completely. Some mats do not like direct sunlight so avoid putting it in the sun since it might cause fading.  
• Health and prevention: If you want to prevent mould and mildew from appearing, make sure that there is adequate circulation around the mat and never place it in damp areas. Also, some mats are naturally resistant to these so consider getting that instead.

Is tatami hard to maintain?

Now that we covered how to clean them, let’s cover how to maintain them. With regular maintenance tatami mats are not really hard to maintain. They have natural fibres which do need proper care if you want them to stay in good condition, but as we said before, other than regular cleaning tatami mats don’t require anything special in terms of care. Just make sure you don’t put anything heavy on them since the foam might not be able to return to its original shape. By focusing on regular cleaning along with periodic airing you can keep tatami mats in excellent shape and condition. If you compare them to synthetic mats, they do need a bit more attention, but the comfort and added aesthetics make it worth it.

Do babies need a mat to crawl?

It should go without saying that babies will benefit greatly if they have a dedicated mat just for crawling. A crawling mat should be able to provide a soft and cushioned surface which can help protect babies from hard floors which will greatly reduce any risk of injuries from falling. Here are just a few reasons why having a crawling mat is important:

• Hygiene: Most crawl mats are very easy to clean and do not require much effort to keep your baby’s play area clean.
• Safety: A crawl mat should be able to provide a safe and padded are where babies and toddlers can play and explore while also minimising the risk of bruises, falls and bumps.
• Comfort: Crawl mats are usually quite soft which make them an excellent choice for babies to crawl on.
• Development: A crawl mat usually encourages exploration, especially if the mat has colourful art on it. Babies are usually very curious and this way they are able to move around which aids in motor skill development.

Overview of the Relax Mat - Soft Touch Tatami Mat

Our Relax Mat – Soft Touch Tatami Mat is a highly rated product which currently has a 4.8 star rating and over 2000 reviews. It has a super soft and comfortable 35mm thickness and it has memory foam. Our mat is also designed to be stain and spill-resistant which makes it very easy to clean. Additionally, our mat has an anti-slip bottom which ensures that once you place it, it won’t move around. This way it can ensure safety, especially around children. The mat has a non-toxic material design which is also very lightweight and foldable. It comes in several different colours and several different sizes. Our relax mat is quite versatile and it’s suitable for a variety of uses::

• Kids Play Areas:
• Pet Sleeping Areas:
• Living Rooms and Bedrooms:
• Yoga and Stretching:

Conclusion

Choosing between a crawling mat and a tatami mat might come down to your specific needs and preferences. We’re covered as much as we can on both mats and it now coms down on what you need. Tatami mats offer a much more traditional and firm surface which offers an aesthetic appeal. They can be used in pretty much any room and have a variety of different uses. On the other hand crawling mats provide a softer and cushioned option and is usually ideals for families which have babies. Both options fill a role but the tatami mat seems to be much more versatile and much more ideal for families with children and pets. We hope you were able to understand these benefits and if your choice is a tatami mat, make sure you grab our Relax Mat - Soft Touch Tatami Mat TODAY!