How to Deep Clean and Sanitize Your Baby’s Pack n Play Mattress

A pack n play is the most convenient option for babies and toddlers (check 7 amazing pack n play mattresses). It is a lifesaver for all the parents out there. They are built as a safe environment for a child to play and sleep. The best feature is the portability which allows parents to carry it around.

You should also know how to clean the parts of the Pack N Play. We know babies play and sleep for the whole day. Therefore, cleaning the Pack N play unit and mattress is necessary.

Let’s find out tricks and techniques to effectively clean your entire pack N play mattress effortlessly and efficiently.

What Is a Pack and Play Mat Made Of?

The mat is usually made of a firm mattress pad. It is thin, with a cardboard piece inside to give it shape. You can even order a plush Pack and play mattress online. They are made of softer material and come with matching pillows.

Another benefit of this mattress is that they are dual-sided. One side is firm and designed for an infant and the softer for a toddler. The Pack and plays its mattress grows with your child. They also give you a flat sheet, so you can change it when required.

Can I Wash a Pack and Play Mattress?

Most of the mattress in a Pack and Play unit is not meant to be washed. It is not a good idea to wash these mattresses because they have cardboard. If you are going to wash or submerge it in water, it will become warped. It will be of no use to you or the baby.

You need to be careful while cleaning the Pack and Play mattress. Read the instruction manual carefully that comes with it. Then, you can clean it up using a deep clean method. Still, make sure it is dried properly so that there is no mold formation on the outer or inner surface of the mattress.

Clean A Pack and Play – Step by Step

Cleaning a pack N play requires many steps. Make sure you follow the deep clean method all to ensure proper cleaning.

Wipe it clean

The first step before washing the Pack N Play is cleaning it. It will help remove the stubborn stains. You easily do this with a homemade vinegar solution.

Just mix vinegar, baking soda, and water, put it in a spray bottle, and spray it all over the stains. Wipe off the excess solution and rub it with a rag. It will remove the stains efficiently without causing any harm.

If you dislike the smell of vinegar, buy a cleaner from the market. It will also help you remove all the stains from the mattress. Just make sure they are not a health hazard to your child.

Rinse it properly

The next step is to rinse the vinegar or cleaning solution from the mattress. Take the mattress to a water outlet and put a baby-safe laundry detergent on it.

 Scrub it gently so as not to damage the mattress. Remember to wash it properly and get rid of all the detergent to ensure your baby doesn’t get any allergies.

Dry it out

After washing the mattress, dry it properly from both sides. Ensure it gets proper sunlight, as the direct heat will help eliminate the germs.

It also prevents any mold formation on the mattress. Proper drying will also guarantee that no foul odor comes from the mattress.

What To Do If Your Pack and Play Gets Smelly After Washing?

If there are poop and urine stains on the mattress, it is bound to smell bad. You can clean it with detergent, baking soda, and warm water at least twice. If it still smells after deep cleaning, you can leave it in the sunlight for some hours. If the smells persist, you need to throw this mattress and get a new one.

As for the Pack N play unit, you need to soak it in warm water with detergent for an hour. Simply brush these stains off, and the smell will be gone.

How Do You Get Tough Stains Out of a Pack and Play Mattress?

For tougher stains, repeat the deep clean method two or three times. You can add more vinegar and less water to concentrate the solution. Just keep cleaning it with a rag. Don’t try to use the brush to take out these tough stains. It will rip out or damage the mesh.

One easy way to avoid tough stains on your pack N play mattress is to cover it with a waterproof sheet. In this case, any tough stain on the sheet and you can simply throw it in the washing machine.

How Do You Get Mold Out of a Pack and Play Mattress?

If you find mold in your child’s Pack and play mattress, get rid of it immediately. It can cause serious health issues for your child. The whole process is pretty simple and can be done in five simple steps.

• Take the mattress out of the house to avoid spreading mold in other parts of the house.
• Take vinegar or isopropyl alcohol and water in a spray bottle and spray it on the mold stain.
• Wipe it all off with a clean cloth. Make sure you clean the entire residue from the mattress.
• Pat it dry with a cloth.
• Keep in the sunlight to get rid of the remaining spores.

Do’s and Don’ts of Cleaning A Pack and Play Mattress

Here are some of the Do’s of cleaning a Pack N play mattress

• Always clean your mattress with a clean towel, rag, or cloth.
• Before cleaning, read the instruction manual carefully.
• Use a gentle cleaning agent to wash the mattress.
• Air-dry the mattress properly before placing it in the Pack n Play.

Some of the Don’ts while washing the Pack N play mattress

• Do not submerge the mattress in water, as it will lose its shape.
• Never put the mattress in a washing machine
• Never use harsh bleach to remove stains from the mattress.
• Don’t use a hard brush, and it will break the mesh off.

How Do You Get Spit Up Off the Pack and Play Mattress?

Well, it is not a hard process to remove spit-ups from your pack N play mattress. You can easily do it in three steps. Get two bowls and three rags. Fill one bowl with soapy, warm water while the other with normal water. Follow these steps to get a mattress free of spit-ups.

• First, clean the spit-ups with warm, soapy water using a rag. Make sure you clean the spit-up vigorously.
• Take another rag and clean the soapy water with normal water.
• Take the third rag and clean off the mat’s excess water.

Leave it in a dry place or in front of the sunlight to kill the germs off.

Conclusion

The Pack n play is a wonderful addition to families with kids (also check 10 great mattresses for kids). They are a great option for holding your little ones in a safe place. It also needs to be cleaned every few days. If kept in unhygienic condition, it can cause health issues to your child. Use baby-safe washing detergent to clean it and avoid any chemicals while cleaning it.