The box that arrives on your doorstep is surprisingly small for a play mat, and the mat inside looks flatter than the photos. That is normal. Memory foam play mats are compressed for shipping and need a few days to recover once they are out of the packaging.
This guide covers exactly what to expect with the GRHomera Playmat in the first 3 to 5 days after unpacking: how to set it up, what is normal along the way, what not to do, and when to get in touch with us. The care and unpacking instructions supplied with your mat always come first, so keep them handy.
Two different "3 to 5 days"
You may see "3-5 days" in two places on our site, and they mean different things:
- Shipping: estimated standard delivery within the United States is 3-5 business days, including order processing. That is an estimate, not a guarantee. Our shipping policy has the details.
- Expanding: after you unpack the mat, allow 3-5 days for it to fully expand.
So from the day you order to the day the mat is at its full size, plan for roughly a week or more. If the mat is a gift or you want it ready for a particular day, order with that in mind.
Before you open the box
A mat that is still expanding is best left where it is, so pick its home first.
- Choose the spot. Use the clear floor area where you plan to keep the mat, away from doorways and walkways. If you have not measured yet, the tape-outline method takes ten minutes.
- Know the final footprint. The mat comes in 50 × 50 in (about 127 × 127 cm), 79 × 59 in (about 201 × 150 cm) and 118 × 79 in (about 300 × 201 cm). Our size guide compares all three.
- Clean the floor. Vacuum or sweep the spot so the mat goes down onto a clean, flat surface.
- Be careful with blades. If you cut packaging open, cut shallowly and away from the mat so you do not nick the fabric.
Day 0: unpack and lay it flat
Take the mat out of its packaging and unroll it in its final spot, coral fleece side up and non-slip backing against the floor. Follow any unpacking notes in the box.
Then leave it alone. On day 0 it is normal for the mat to:
- look thinner than its finished thickness,
- show fold lines or creases from packing,
- have edges or corners that do not sit fully flat yet.
None of that is the final state. Once the mat has recovered, it is about 1.3 in (3.3 cm) thick in total, the same for every size.
What not to do while it expands
It is tempting to try to speed things up. Please do not.
- No heat or steam. Do not iron, steam, use a hair dryer on or otherwise heat-treat the mat unless your supplied instructions say you can. If your instructions are missing, ask us first.
- No stacking. Keep laundry baskets, boxes, furniture and other heavy things off the mat so the whole surface can recover evenly.
- No re-rolling or folding. Leave the mat flat in one place until it has finished expanding, rather than rolling it up or moving it between rooms.
- No washing. Do not assume a fabric-covered foam mat is waterproof or machine washable. Follow the care label.
Days 1 to 3: let it recover
This is the quiet part. Check the mat once a day. You should see it gradually look fuller, with creases softening and edges settling. Give it the full 3-5 days before judging the result.
A few practical tips while you wait:
- Keep pets off it if you can. The idea is the same as with boxes and baskets: leave the whole surface free while it recovers.
- Take a "before" photo. A quick photo on day 0 or day 1 is useful if you need to contact us later. It also makes the day-5 result more satisfying.
- Use the time to set up the area. Do a sweep at baby height for small objects, sort out a toy basket and think about where you will sit. Our guide to setting up a play area in a small living room has ideas.
Days 3 to 5: check the finished mat
By the end of this window the mat should be fully expanded. Run through a quick check:
- Thickness: it should feel evenly cushioned across the surface, about 1.3 in (3.3 cm) thick in total.
- Edges and corners: they should lie flat, without curling up where a foot could catch.
- Grip: give the mat a gentle push with your foot. The mat has a non-slip backing.
- Placement: make sure the mat is clear of furniture edges, cords and doorways. Now is the easiest time to shift it a few inches.
If you have hardwood floors, our guide to play mats on hardwood floors covers what to ask your flooring manufacturer.
Day 5 onward: start using it
Once the mat is fully expanded and lies flat, it is ready for everyday floor play: tummy time, rolling, sitting, crawling and plain old lying around together. Start with short, relaxed sessions and get down there with your baby. Our guides to tummy time by age and what to try when your baby hates tummy time are good next reads.
Use the mat for awake, supervised play. It is not a sleep surface and should not be used as a mattress or extra padding in a crib, bassinet or play yard. If your baby falls asleep during play, move them onto their back in their own sleep space.
When to contact us
Most mats simply need time. Get in touch if:
- the mat has not fully expanded after 5 days,
- something looks damaged, defective or different from what you ordered,
- your unpacking or care instructions are missing,
- the mat does not lie as expected and you are not sure why.
Please include your order number, the email used at checkout and a few photos. It helps us understand what is going on quickly. You can reach us through our Playmat Support page or at grhomera@gmail.com. Please contact us before trying any fix yourself, and before sending anything back. Our return and refund policy explains how returns work.
Looking after it from here
Day-to-day care is about the label. Follow the care instructions supplied with your mat, deal with spills soon in the way the label allows, and let anything damp dry fully before baby goes back on it. Our care guide explains how to read the instructions and when to ask us.
FAQ
How long does a memory foam play mat take to expand?
Allow 3-5 days after unpacking for the GRHomera Playmat to fully expand. Lay it flat in its final spot and keep things off it while it recovers.
Can I use a hair dryer or steamer to speed it up?
Please do not heat-treat the mat unless your supplied instructions say you can. If you are unsure, or your instructions are missing, contact us first.
Why does my new play mat look thin?
It is compressed for shipping. Once fully expanded, the mat is about 1.3 in (3.3 cm) thick in total. If it still looks thin after 5 days, send us photos and your order number.
Will the creases go away?
Fold lines from packing are expected when you first unroll the mat. Give it the full 3-5 days to expand. If a crease is still clearly visible after that, contact us with a photo before trying anything yourself.
— The GRHomera team