Caring for your Gathre Mat & other FAQs
Care
- Clean the mat promptly after use with wet rag and soapy water.
- Avoid acrylic paints, markers, and pens and scissors.
- Do not machine wash or iron.
- Place in warm sun for an hour or so to remove wrinkles.
- Air out to dry before folding to store.
- See below for more detailed care instructions
FAQS
Top Queries
Bonded leather is a combination of wipeable synthetic material and genuine leather. Gathre’s bonded leather mats are beloved by many, because of the beauty and practicality of how these materials work together. The top is a layer of polyurethane, which makes it wipeable and water-resistant. The backside is a sturdy, textured leather material that works inside your home, and also in your backyard. Our bonded leather contains 72% PU leather and 28% genuine leather fibers.
WHAT IS ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE MAT?
The bottom side of the mat is is a durable, textured leather material that can get wet as well as be cleaned. We like to think of it like the bottom of a shoe. It is understood it will be used, worn, and even get dirty.
IS THERE A WAY TO GET THE WRINKLES OUT?
Yes. Laying the mat out flat in the sun for an hour or so can help release wrinkles. You can also steam the underside of the mat until the wrinkles release. Do not iron.
ARE THE MATS SAFE FOR MY CHILDREN?
Yes. All mats are California Prop 65 compliant and contain no lead or harmful chemicals.
HOW BIG ARE THE MATS? ARE THEY HEAVY?
Mat measurements can be found on the product listing. Also, because of the nature of our cutting and sewing processes, there may be a slight size variance in mats. We promise that mats will be within a 5% variance of the size stated on the product listing*. Printed mats are especially at risk for a little bit of size variance.
We know you’re carrying a lot. If you’re curious, here are some basic weights of our original mats to give you an idea.
Micro:11oz; Mini: 2lbs; Midi:4lbs; Maxi Square:7lbs
Mat Care
IS THERE ANYTHING I SHOULDN’T USE ON MY MAT?
Avoid acrylic or oil paints. Take care that you do not use markers or ball point pens directly on the mat. And be mindful with scissors and other sharp object as they may cut the mat. Avoid using watercolors on printed mats as they are more sensitive to them. Some sunscreens can also stain the mat, particularly mineral sunscreen. Be sure to take caution when using highly pigmented items on your mat including food and beverages as we cannot be held responsible for damage done after the mat has been used.
Spot treat on the top and bottom sides of the mat. Using a paper towel or wet rag, clean off the area until the mess is gone. Always allow the mat to dry completely before putting it away to prevent any unwanted mold. Make sure to use caution at all times on the mats, as we cannot be held responsible for damage done after the mat has been used.
Do not machine wash. Follow the care instructions to clean
Bottom:
We like to think of it like the bottom of a shoe. It is understood it will be used, worn, and even get dirty. The top side is what we play on and see. For muddy, food chunks, or messy areas on the back, you can spot treat it just like the top. Use a soapy wet rag to clean specific areas. It's a sturdy material and can handle cleaning.
Top:
Food and dirt marks: We recommend a simple product like Mrs Meyers cleaning spray (or any other brand equivalent). Spray the mat down, and scrub with a wet washcloth. With dried-on or sticky foods, you may have to scrape or scrub pretty hard. Clorox wipes are great for sanitizing.Stubborn stains: Baby oil is our go-to for a magic cleaning. Rubbing alcohol may also help with certain stains, BUT DO NOT USE on printed portion of the mats (it can take off the ink). Greasy stains/shiny marks: Get a sponge sudsy with dish soap and scrub. Then, wipe it clean with a wet washcloth.
General Mat Care:
Clean the mat promptly after use with wet rag and soapy water. Some highly pigmented foods, such as koolaid, wine, spaghetti sauce, etc. may stain your mat. Avoid acrylic paints, markers, and pens and scissors. We are not responsible for ink stains or cuts.Do not machine wash or iron.Place in warm sun for an hour or so to remove wrinkles. We also recommend using a hand steamer on the back of the mat to get stubborn wrinkles out.Make sure mat is 100% completely dry before folding to store. We are not responsible for moldy mats.
Be cautious of using clamping high chairs on Gathre tablecloths as the pressure can leave permanent indents on Gathre products.