How To Clean A Baby Crib Mattress (Step By Step Guide)

Keeping your baby healthy is important, and knowing how to keep their crib mattress clean can help ensure that your baby is happy and healthy.

Are you wondering how to clean a baby crib mattress? Do not worry we’ve got you.

Since newborn spends so much time sleeping in their crib, you must keep it safe and clean.

However, it’s not always easy to figure out how to do it properly! After all, crib mattresses don’t come with instructions.

In this article, we will be sharing with you a step-by-step guide on how to clean a crib mattress so you and your baby can sleep safely and soundly. Read On.

Crib Mattress Contamination

Whether used by babies or toddlers, a crib mattress is particularly susceptible to contamination from several sources:

Leaky diapers or nappies
Babies being sick
Dribbling when sleeping
Spilled drinks
Debris from snacks, biscuits, or other bedtime treats
Family pets, such as small cats may pay a visit, but the baby won’t complain!
Dust mites, and shredded skin cells lead to potentially allergenic dust mites
General household dust and dirt

There are many ways in which a crib can get dirty, and you must keep it clean to protect your child. So what is the best way to do that? Here is how to clean a crib mattress effectively to keep your child safe.

Read Also: How To Prevent Diaper Blowouts

How To Clean A Crib Mattress

What You’ll Need:

Sponge Or Cloth
Mild soap
Vacuum
Baking Soda
Rubbing Alcohol
Spray Bottle
Warm Water
Scrubbing Brush
Vinegar Or Lemon Juice
Disinfecting Wipes (optional)

Step By Step Guide On How To Clean A Baby Crib Mattress

1. Remove The Crib Mattress

Begin by removing the crib mattress cover or any bedding. These can usually be thrown in the laundry and safely washed with soap.

Always check the care label on the mattress or find the manufacturer’s site to know if it’s okay to use cold/hot water or mild detergents on the mattress.

2. Vacuum

Vacuum the mattress; this will help to get rid of dirt and dust that can cause irritation and allergies for your baby. Make sure you vacuum both sides of the mattress and along the crevices. Use an upholstery attachment on your vacuum to remove as much dust as possible.

3. Scrub

Scrub the crib mattress all over with a gentle detergent and warm water. Combine 1/4 cup of baby-mild laundry detergent in a bucket with one gallon of warm water.

Then with a gentle scrubbing brush, scrub the mattress fabric with the detergent mixture. Do not pour water or detergent directly onto your mattress. Make sure you scrub all sides and along seams carefully.

4. Rinse

Refill your bucket with warm water. Then use a clean damp cloth to wipe down each surface of the crib mattress.

By rinsing and wringing the cloth frequently helps remove all detergent and residue from the cloth. Do these properly, as the leftover detergent can cause irritation and sickness to your baby.

5. Disinfect

Disinfect the mattress surface if you’re worried about germs and bacteria from leaky diapers or any other source.

Then, with a spray bottle, spray it lightly with rubbing alcohol, paying close attention to stains. There is no need for rinsing after disinfecting since alcohol will quickly evaporate.

6. Removing Stains and Odors

If discoloration or odor refuses to go off after disinfecting the crib mattress, extra work will be required to clean it properly.

Mix equal water, lemon juice, or vinegar in a spray bottle, and spray lightly on stains.

Then, sprinkle baking soda on a wet or dry mattress and allow it to sit for 20 minutes to remove odors. The baking soda can be vacuumed out after the crib mattress is dry.

7. Drying

Using dry towels, press dry towels into the surface to take away excess water off the mattress, and then allow it to air dry in the sun before placing it back in the crib.

This method helps prevent the growth of illness-causing mold and mildew.

Why You Shouldn’t Use Someone Else’s Crib Mattress

If your baby’s crib mattress becomes soiled beyond repair, it is best advised to go buy a new one instead of using someone else’s.

Some parents may consider a second-hand crib mattress to save money, thinking they can perfectly clean it. Unfortunately, that’s almost impossible as using a secondhand mattress comes with risks.
A secondhand used mattress is likely exposed to bodily fluids such as poop, pee, and spit-up, which can cause infections.
They may be hosting dust mites, molds, and bacteria you may not see.
They can be broken, which you might not know, risking your baby’s health.

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Conclusion

Was this article “How To Clean A Baby Crib Mattress” useful? Having read through our step-by-step guide, We hope you’ll be a pro and be able to keep your baby’s crib mattress clean and free from germs.

Remember, every parent is responsible for keeping their baby safe, especially when they’re in their crib. Whether sleeping or playing, they trust us to keep them safe.

Feel free to comment if you have any questions or any other trick of your own. If you enjoyed this article, share it with your other mommy friends!