Manufacturers designed pack and play mattresses for your baby’s comfort, and you should know for sure about pack and play mattress how to clean for your little ones’ safety.
These pack and play products are a “must-have” for parents because it’s convenient for travelling and home.
You see, pack and play is a foldable crib where your baby can sleep and play.
It’s somewhat similar to a playpen or play yard because of its function; to keep your baby in one place.
Since babies would stay in the crib for hours, there is no doubt it could get dirty, especially the mattress inside, since little kids could puke or pee on it.
That’s why thorough cleaning is needed. But don’t worry because pack and plays are easy to clean and sanitized.
For sure, you wouldn’t have a hard time getting rid of the nasty stuff on the mattress and the crib.
So read on to know how to clean pack and play mattresses.
3 Steps To Clean Pack And Play Mattress
As a parent, cleanliness is essential, especially if you have a baby at home.
Our little ones are pretty susceptible to bacteria and germs that carry diseases.
So, cleaning the pack and play once a month is crucial, mainly if you use it daily, and wiping the mattress before and after your baby is recommended.
Regardless, here’s the list of steps on a pack and play mattress how to clean.
Step #1. Wipe down the stains
Wiping down the stains first will ease your washing process.
Although wiping the mattress alone could get rid of the dirt on the mattress and the crib, it would be best to use vinegar-water solution and spray it on the bed.
Use a clean and dry rag to wipe the excess solution.
It will get rid of the stain efficiently on your mattress as vinegar gets through the foam.
Yet, if you are not a fan of vinegar because it does have an unpleasant smell, try using a natural cleaning solution but make sure it’s safe for your baby.
Step #2. Rinse the solution
To make sure that your pack and play gets a good rinse, you want to place it outside or on your bathtub if you have one.
Some parents would cover the mattress, which my aunt does with her little girl since it’s easier to clean.
You can throw it into the washing machine.
But if you don’t, it’s fine also. After wiping the stains with the vinegar-water solution, it’s time to wash the unit.
Please take out the mattress and take it outside near the water source or on your bathtub.
Add water and a baby-safe laundry detergent; scrub down the mattress, but you want to do it gently, so you don’t damage the bed.
Rinse the soap off the mattress and leave it to drip dry.
It would be best if you leave the mattress under the sun, or you can place it in the bathroom if you have no space left outside or it’s raining.
Step #3. Deep clean
The pack and play mattress is not only the one you need to clean; the crib itself should need a deep clean since kids would put their mouths anywhere the pack and play.
After you take out the mattress to dry, fill your bathtub again with water and add a half cup of baby-friendly detergent.
Submerge the pack and play unit on the solution and let it soak for an hour.
When it’s time, drain the water with soap first, and that’s the time you rinse the pack and play.
Please leave it to drip dry, and you can leave it in the tub or place it outside.
Lucky for you, if you are experiencing a hot day as you can take the pack and play out and let it sit in the sun for 4 hours.
But if you leave it overnight, leave it for 24 hours to dry completely.
Why Cleaning Your Pack And Play Is Crucial?
Having a newborn inside your home will make you a clean freak, seriously!
Everything around your baby must be thoroughly cleaned, as the American Academy of Paediatrics would say.
One can commonly see mould buildup on toys, your babies’ bottle, and their bed space.
And the pack and play mattress is not exempted.
Dirt and spills can cause mildew and mould buildup. That’s why you should clean the crib regularly.
If you purchase a second-hand pack and play, have it deep cleaned before use.
Or if it happens to get caught in the flood, throw it right away because millions of germs and bacteria are found to be swimming in flood.
You don’t want your baby to sleep on a crib with lots of creeping bacteria, would you?
Final Thoughts
Germs and dirt are everywhere and once your baby is exposed to them, expect lots of medical bills coming up.
I know you don’t want that to happen, that’s why cleaning your home every day is essential.
It might be a simple task, but making it a habit will save you from hospital trips.
Regardless, thank you for reading this article, “pack and play mattress how to clean?”
I hope you learned a lot!