Sustainability and safety, materials, certifications, care
Huske grew out of a mix of my architectural training and the daily reality of raising children.
Architecture teaches you to pay attention to materials and how they age, how they feel under your hand, how they change with use and time. Life with children teaches you a different rhythm. Fast, messy and repetitive.
I wanted something that could handle both worlds.
When I started Huske, I wanted something that felt calm and grounded, that sat quietly in a home rather than shouting for attention, but that could also cope with meals, spills, painting, clay and crumbs.
Sustainability here is not an abstract idea. It shows up in ordinary ways. What the mats are made from, who makes them, how they travel, how they are cleaned and how long they last. It is also about designing something that feels good to live with so it stays in use rather than becoming clutter.
I try to make choices that are clear, documented and practical. The certifications listed below are real. So are the people who pack the orders. The decisions are small, but together they shape how the mats live in your home and how long they stay there. For more of the story you can read the About Huske page.
What most mats are made from
Most play mats and splat mats on the market are made from PVC, vinyl or foam with a plastic coating. That plastic wears away over time. It cracks, peels, off-gases and often arrives with a chemical smell that takes days to fade. The rigid ones protect your floor but scuff your feet. The soft ones feel better but fall apart faster.
I wanted something different. A material that felt good against skin, cleaned without effort, folded into a bag and lasted years without degrading.
The material
The mats are made from a silicone coated textile developed in Korea. A smooth silicone top surface is bonded to a polyester mesh for strength, with a slip-proof textured silicone base. Three layers, 0.7mm thick.
The silicone is derived from natural quartz sand. It is the same grade used in baby pacifiers. It is not vinyl, not PVC. Read more about how silicone leather outperforms vinyl.
- Certified Oeko-Tex Standard 100, Class I. The most stringent level, safe for direct contact with baby skin.
- Free from PVC, phthalates, BPA, VOCs and environmental hormones.
- Naturally flame retardant without additional chemical treatments.
Production
The mats are produced in Korea by a small manufacturer of about 40 people, running for more than 20 years, with established process control including ISO 9001.
For me this is less about certificates and more about knowing that the work is consistent, monitored and carried out by people who understand the material. It affects how the mats feel, how long they last and the predictability of each batch.
Designed in Switzerland. Made in Korea. Packed by hand near Zurich.
Use and longevity
A Huske mat is designed to stay in your home for years. It works under babies, under sketchbooks, under clay, under plates and under many small projects on tables and floors.
Heat stable for everyday home use, including ironing. Avoid direct contact with red-hot items and open flames. One mat supports many stages, reducing the need for multiple single-purpose products.
"Was unsure because of the price. Then finally bought this and what can I say. I am amazed by its versatility and quality. It is daily in use with our baby."
- Germany
Transport and packing
The mats travel from Korea to Switzerland. Most shipments go by sea.
Some go by air when stock needs to be replenished quickly. The intention is to rely more on planned sea freight over time.
Once in Switzerland, the mats are stored and packed by Zueriwerk in Bubikon. Zueriwerk employs people with disabilities in the canton of Zurich. They prepare the parcels, check the mats and send them on to families.
Packaging is simple. Boxes and paper are locally sourced where possible and FSC certified. The aim is to use as little as needed while still protecting the mat.
Cleaning and water
Most maintenance is a cloth and some water. No machine cycle, no detergent, no drying time.
A fabric mat that goes through a weekly wash cycle uses roughly 50 litres of water each time. This one needs a damp cloth. The mats do not shed fibres and do not release microplastics. For detailed cleaning advice, see the textile care page.
Design and longevity
Design matters for how long an object stays in use. Huske mats are meant to sit quietly alongside furniture rather than compete with it.
The colours are chosen to feel calm and the form is simple. When something feels good to live with, it tends to stay around.
End of first life
The silicone coated textile is described as 100 percent recyclable, but the infrastructure for this group of materials is still developing.
For now the focus is on keeping mats in circulation. Many are passed to friends or cousins. Some are sold second hand.
For an honest look at the environmental trade-offs, read silicone sustainability: the honest picture.
"We don't leave the house without it. For travel, for going out for dinner, or just for a single diaper change. It's the best."
- ThailandBuy once, pass it on. That is the most sustainable thing a product can do.
Second life listings
I share pre-loved Huske listings through the newsletter. If you are selling yours, submit the link below.
Common questions
What is silicone leather exactly?
A textile made by bonding food-grade silicone to a polyester mesh. The silicone is derived from quartz sand, not petroleum. It behaves like leather in softness and drape but is fully waterproof and wipes clean. It contains no PVC, no vinyl and no animal products.
Does it smell?
There may be a faint scent when new, which fades within a day or two. The material is VOC-free and certified for safe indoor use.
Will it stain over time?
The non-porous surface resists staining. Paint, food, oil and marker wipe off. If something very pigmented sits for hours it may leave a faint mark on lighter colours, but UV exposure clears it. I once dropped hair dye on a mat and left it outside for a sunny day. Gone.
How long does a mat last?
I have mats from 2021 that still look as good as new with daily use. The material does not crack, peel, shed or lose its shape. Many families use the same mat through multiple children. Avoid pressing sharp objects into the surface.
Where can I find cleaning and care instructions?
The textile information and care page covers daily cleaning, stain removal, machine washing, heat, floors and more. For the science behind the material, read the material story.
Read what other families say on our reviews page.
For daily cleaning, stain removal and care detail, see the textile information and care page. To hear from other families, read our reviews. For activity ideas, read the field guide.
From CHF 39. One mat, years of use, no replacements. Free shipping above CHF 125. Learn more about embracing imperfections as part of our sustainability commitment.
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