Kmart fans scrambling to grab $59 dupe of $279 item: 'I am obsessed'

If you’ve been eyeing a plush, comfy play area for your little one but wincing at the sky-high prices of premium mats, we’ve got some good news for you. Kmart’s super soft, slip-resistant play mat is causing a stir among shoppers at just $59—an incredible $150 less than the popular Neptune Mellow Mat. And the buzz is all positive!

Michelle Hooper, a satisfied Kmart customer and parent, shared with Yahoo Lifestyle that she found the mat to be a “great alternative” to more expensive options, especially in areas where you might worry about damaging a costly rug. “It’s especially practical for a high-traffic area,” Michelle shared. She did notice a slight smell upon unboxing, similar to PVA glue, but it dissipated by the evening after airing out.

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The enthusiasm extended to the Kmart Mums Australia Facebook group, where parents are raving about this affordable find.

One excited mum said, “I’ve been putting off getting one of the more expensive brands but I wanted this for my toddler’s room. The price point is great.”

“It’s really, really good. I am obsessed and will be purchasing a second.”

How long does the play mat take to flatten?

When it comes to dealing with creases from the mat’s initial packaging, patience is essential. Michelle noted her mat took about four days to fully flatten after unboxing.

“I used my Kmart steamer to help with some of the deeper creases, but it’s completely flat now,” she said.

Parents have also shared various tips online for smoothing out the mat. One mum left hers in the sun for three hours and then vacuumed it, saying, “It was fine.” Others recommend using a hand steamer or a damp tea towel with an iron on steam.

While some reviewers noted the Kmart mat isn’t as thick as the Neptune Mellow Mat—“The top layer is thin and doesn’t look as plush,” said one—many still feel it offers excellent value.

“Considering the price difference, and if it’s for a toddler, I’d go for the Kmart one,” another commented.

When speaking to Yahoo Lifestyle, Michelle reflected, “I do feel like it’s slightly thinner than the original mats as I have 2 of the patterned Neptune mats to compare, but I do have it on tiles. I probably wouldn’t notice a difference on carpet and the kids certainly don’t notice.”

How to clean the sensory play mat

In terms of maintenance, Michelle found the mat easy to clean, sharing, “We’ve had a few Vegemite fingerprints, but it’s been a breeze to wipe off with a baby wipe.”

Hailey McNicol, Director of Proper Cleaning Group, told Yahoo Lifestyle that these mats are actually surprisingly simple to care for.

They are one of the easiest mats to manage if I am honest,” she said. “You have to leave them out flat for 12-24 hours so the foam settles. You can then iron them out to get a smooth finish.”

For cleaning, McNicol advises using a warm, damp soapy cloth and regularly vacuuming the mat.

Kmart confirms more stock to come

If you've been struggling to find the mat online or in-store due to low or no stock, there's good news. Kmart has confirmed to Yahoo Lifestyle that they are addressing the issue.

A spokesperson shared, "Yes, this one has quickly become a customer favourite and the team are working hard in the background to restock soon."

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"We’ll also be releasing the mat in an additional colourway in a few weeks time."

In the meantime, if you can't wait, word on the street is that Coles also offers a similar soft foam floor mat for $69.

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