How to Clean a Pack ‘n Play

Whether you are a first-time parent or have many children, chances are high that you own a toy set, travel cot or playground. While they are a very convenient, portable and safe place for your child to nap or play, these handy little inventions can get a little dirty, especially if they are used often or had many children.

Worse still, they’re not always the easiest to clean, especially since most of them aren’t machine washable. For this reason, we’ve put together a guide on how to effectively clean your swarm, travel crib or playground to not only keep them looking good and smelling good, but most importantly, keeping them clean. Give them as germ-free as possible for your little one.

Why is cleaning important?

In addition to keeping your flock looking good, cleaning helps you get rid of dirt, grime, and germs. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends regular cleaning as one way to keep your family healthy.

While there’s no quick and hard rule about how often your baby’s stuff should be cleaned, it’s a good idea to keep it in mind before it turns into a bigger mess. Plus, if your baby frequently spills things, likes to make a mess, or spits a lot, the moisture from these things will have a chance to turn into mold.

Likewise, stains can become permanent if they are not treated immediately. So the best attack plan is to regularly detect your swarm is playing.

Check your owner’s manual

Before cleaning travel cribs, playgrounds, or packing toys, you should check the owner’s manual to determine what type of cleaner is recommended, in addition to any specific instructions. For example, the Graco website says to use household soap and warm water and avoid bleach.

Graco also suggests allowing the pack ‘n play to drip dry but points out that the bag is machine washable. Wash the bag in warm water with no detergent and hang to dry.

If your game has sand during a day at the beach, take extra care when removing it. Sand can easily scratch the top rail and lock. And, if you lose or misplace your particular package’s manual, you can visit the company’s website for cleaning instructions or search for a downloadable copy.

Spot clean your pack ‘N Play

Some parts of your child’s play will be dirtier than others, such as the mat your child sits on or sleeps on as well as the handrail. The most effective way to keep your mattress or mat clean is to use a waterproof mattress pad specifically designed for your game. Then all you have to do is remove the cover and rinse.

For rails or sidewalls, you’ll want to use a baby-safe cleaner. Avoid getting a bottle of commercial disinfectant or cleaner because these solutions can harm your baby.

In fact, the AAP suggests using a homemade cleaner made of vinegar and water, as well as some elbow grease. Baking soda or baby-safe soap also works well.

How to Scrub Your Pack ‘N Play

To effectively clean the playground or swarm playground, you should choose a clear day and take it outdoors if possible. This way, you won’t get soapy water on the floor in your home.

If you don’t have the outside space to mop your playground, place a few towels or thick cloth to protect your floors.

To scrub your toy, remove the mattress or mat and set it aside. Then, take a bucket of warm water mixed with 1/2 cup of child-safe laundry detergent and a soft-bristled brush.

Scrub the entire pack but be careful not to get the material or mesh wet. Then, take a warm, wet rag and wipe off excess soap and water. Again, be careful not to soak the material or mesh.

Once done, let the pack ‘n play air dry completely before using it again. If possible, let it dry in the sun. If you don’t have a place to do it, a sunny spot in your home will also work. It may take longer to air dry.

Deep clean your pack ‘N Play

If your pack hasn’t played in a while, or it’s particularly messy — like smeared with peanut butter and jelly mix — you can give it a deep clean. But remember, this type of cleaning is not usually listed in the manufacturer’s instructions. So you will need to weigh the pros and cons of this approach.

Take special care after using this cleaning method to not only have enough time to dry, but also to check all moving parts and locking mechanisms to make sure they are all working properly.

Follow these steps if you want to deep clean your pack:

Remove the padding and return the playground to its folded position. Then fill your tub with warm water and the following ingredients:

• 1/2 cup baby-safe laundry detergent
• 1/4 cup vinegar
• 1/4 cup baking soda

Once your tub is full and the ingredients are well mixed, carefully place your folded toy pack, travel cot, or playground in the water and let it soak for an hour. Make sure the mat or mattress is not flooded. This part will always need to be cleaned in place. Soaking it in water will damage it and be unsafe for your baby.

After you remove your back from the water, rinse with a warm, wet rag, then pat the towel dry to remove as much excess water as possible. Pay attention to hinges and locks, so that they are as dry as possible. Then, take the instrument outside to play and dry in the sun.

Again, if you don’t have an area where you can sunbathe, find a sunny spot in your home to dry completely. Before using your pack again, be sure to check all the locks and hinges to make sure they are still working properly.

A very good word

Regardless of whether your toy pack is brand new or has had several kids in it, regular cleaning of the play area can help keep it looking nice and fresh and keep germs to a minimum. If, for some reason, your playground gets dirtier than it can handle at the cleaning site once a week, you can scrub or even use a deep cleaning method.

Just make sure you give it plenty of time to dry and that you check all the locks and hinges to make sure they’re still working properly. With regular care and cleaning, you’ll be able to get a lot of use out of your game.