posted on October 18, 2012 by
31 Comments

BPA, PVC and Phthalate-free Baby Bathtub and Seat Buying Guide

Baby Bath Shopping GuideUpdated 10/18/2012

We pretty well have the bath toys covered, but what about safe bath tubs and seats?  You’ve probably noticed that most of the options out there are marked with a recycling code, making it difficult to know what type of plastic they’re made from.

It turns out there is good news!  It appears that you can make a pretty safe choice just by looking at the style of the product:

  • It’s probably made from non-leaching plastics (polypropylene or ABS) if it’s hard and formed
  • It’s probably made from safer fabric (polyester material and filling) if it’s a machine washable sling-style bath or stuff pillow-like stuffed ring (see the Leachco products below)
  • You can safely assume that all inflatable baths should be avoided, because they’re most likely made from PVC.

We did compile a good-sized list for you too!  Please note that we didn’t research each and every product made by a particular manufacturer, so don’t assume if one of their products is mentioned here that all of their other bath products are automatically BPA, PVC and phthalate-free too.

FlexiBath

FlexiBath

PUJ Tub

PUJ Tub

Spa Baby Eco Recycled Plastic Tub

Spa Baby Orignial & Eco Recycled Plastic Tub

Prince Lionheart washPOD

Prince Lionheart washPOD

TummyTub with Stool

TummyTub with Stool

Safety 1st Tubside Bath Seat

Safety 1st Tubside Bath Seat

Aquababy Bath Ring

Leachco Safer Bather

Leachco Safer Bather

Leachco Bath n Bumper Tub

Leachco Bath n Bumper Tub

Summer Infant Fold n Store Bath Sling

Thermobaby Daphne Infant Bath Seat

Thermobaby Plastic Bathtub

As always, we’ll be adding to this list as we hear back from more manufacturers :)

P.S.  The Puj Baby Bath from EVA foam that has been third party tested to ensure it’s free of formamide.

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  • amievetter

    Alicia
    I had purchased a blow up bath from Amazon.com made by Safety 1st. It is the Kirby inflatable tub & spout cover. I was weary about it but on Amazon it said it was PVC free, so I ordered it. I got it and it smells!! I contacted the company and they stated that they do not use PVC in any of their products. I read your article today and according to your guidelines all inflatables should be avoided.
    Do you know anything about the Safety 1st Kirby inflatable tub?
    Thanks
    Amie

  • http://thesoftlanding.com Alicia

    Hi Amie – I just checked on the Safety 1st Kirby inflatable tub listed at http://www.amazon.com/Safety-1st-Kirby-Inflatab… on Amazon.com (not sure it's the same one?) and it's listed as “eco friendly, non phthalate vinyl”. Which means it is PVC, just phthalate-free.

    We have yet to run into a single inflatable product that is not made from PVC . . .

  • amievetter

    Oh Gosh! Thank you so much for checking that for me!! I feel SO silly! I just assumed one in the same, i don't know what i was thinking! I'm returning it!!!
    THANK YOU!!!

  • http://thesoftlanding.com Alicia

    You're welcome – but please don't feel silly! This dang stuff is SO overwhelming :)

  • nina1985

    I have a question regarding the Safety First Tub-side Seat. Can you tell me if it's made from ABS or another type of plastic? Specifically, I'd like to know what plastic it's made of? It appears to be the only suitable option I can locate in Canada, either way my son is getting bigger and is almost ready for the big tub, so it should do.

    My other question would be whether or not you are aware about what type of plastic the Elfe Large Bathtub (http://www.tjskids.com/images/elfe/10000372_m.jpg) is made of – it is the cheapest kind in the Greater Toronto Area, so it is a popular product. I called the company in the beginning of the week and am still waiting for their reply – thought maybe you would know.

  • Baby bath seat

    Alicia, you are right to have any concerns of safety issues about baby tubs. Manufacturers have a duty of care to ensure that these products meet all safety requirements without any compromise.

  • Christy

    Does anyone know of a BPA, PVC and phthlate-free bathtub spout cover? I cannot locate one online. Thanks!

  • http://thesoftlanding.com Alicia

    Great question, Christy! I know the Boon Flo is a nice, safe choice.

    http://www.booninc.com/products/Flo/601

    Alicia

  • Baby bath Seat

    You could try to use advanced search engine options.

  • Erin

    I was wondering if it matters that the Leachco Bath n Bumper tub is filled with polystyrene beads?

    • Gen

      I know I am concerned about it, I am very surprised this one was listed for that very reason!

      • Gen
        • http://thesoftlanding.com Alicia

          Hi Gen and Erin – thanks for your comments! The report you linked to is actually discussing the use of polystyrene foam, not resin (or hard plastic). I wouldn’t recommend using styrofoam, but I haven’t been able to find much research on the hard polystyrene at this point (especially when used in products such as bath toys). Of course we’re always on the lookout for new info and will update our lists as we become aware of it!

  • http://www.roundaboutkidsbabyslings.com/ Baby Slings

    Thank you for sharing this very useful guide.

  • Sachi

    I got this little whale spout cover. BPA, PVC, and Pthalate free.

    http://www.amazon.com/Skip-Hop-Moby-Spout-Cover…

  • http://www.roundaboutkidsbabyslings.com/ Baby Slings

    Maybe it only smells like PVC but the product itself is PVC free.

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  • baby slings

    How cool is that Puj seat? I may just have to order that for my sister’s baby shower coming up!

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    Wow! These looks so cute.thanks

  • baby pouches

    The aqua baby bath ring was so handy for us and most importantly, my son loved it. he hated bath time before we started using it so I suppose it made him feel more secure. :)

  • Millerashy

    I’m looking for a non-skid toddler bathmat that is PVC-free and is actually fun. The only ones I’ve come across are plain white, tan or blue. No bright shapes or colors. Our son loves the one we have because it has Elmo on it, but I am sure it’s made of PVC & would like to get away from that.

  • mamato2

    The Primo Eurobath is BPA, Lead, and Phlalate Free! We have one and love it!

  • Noo757

    I read all the comments above and have a question. I just bought the “Summer SuperSeat 3 Stage” from amzon and I was wondering if it’s safe (BPA and/or PVC free) for my 4 months old baby as it smells. Not sure if this baby seat is BPA/PVc free. Do you know anything about this baby seat? Thanks!

  • Miss Grit

    Hi Alicia, 

    You’re right about this stuff being overwhelming. I’m trying to find a newborn bath tub that fits on top of a deep kitchen sink, isn’t as huge as the Primo tub, and is BPA-, PVC-, and Phthalate-free. The Spa Baby tub is intriguing but I feel like it wouldn’t work with our deep sink. Also, we have a Victorian tub with really high sides so bathing baby in the tub isn’t an option. Can you help? I’ve spent hours on the Internet to no avail. 

    • http://thesoftlanding.com Alicia

      Hi Miss Grit – Boy, that is a tough one! I’ll pass it onto my sister Joanie who is a baby planner with Itsabelly. She usually has great recommendations for unique situations like yours.

      • Miss Grit

        Hey Alicia,

        Thanks for your reply! Any advice from your sister? Baby is due in less than three weeks. We actually bought the Primo tub and it’s too huge for our sink. Still searching…

  • green mom

    I purchased the dream baby bath seat and then contacted the company. They informed me that the suction cups are made of PVC.

    • http://thesoftlanding.com/ The Soft Landing Sisters

      Thank you for taking the time to share your findings! I just contacted the Dream Baby bath seat manufacturer (Tee-Zed) directly, and fortunately they confirmed that the suction cups are made from polypropylene, not PVC.

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  • Jessica

    Do you know of one that can go in both the sink and bathtub besides the bucket style ones?

    • http://thesoftlanding.com/ The Soft Landing Sisters

      Well, I guess it all depends on how big your sink is. A number of these options could potentially fit in a large sink. Other than that, we don’t know of any other safe baby bathtubs or seats.