The Pack N Play is a portable play yard that can act as an extra bed for infants. It is also used by toddlers to sleep in during the night or to keep them occupied when they are awake. It is quite compact and comfortable, your baby will love it! But how can you maintain it and clean the Pack N Play mattress so that it will serve you forever?
When should your child start using the Pack N Play mattress?
When your child is about 3 months old, you can place him on his back in the Pack N Play. By six months he should be able to roll over and by 12 months of age, he can climb out of it on his own.
It includes a bassinet level for infants (with mattress) and a removable toddler level (without mattress). You will need to buy extra sheets for the bassinet mattress as babies are messy at times. The Pack n' Play can also work as a play yard after they reach their first birthday since there is no weight limit.
This portable crib has all sorts of accessories like changing tables, diaper stackers, etc., which make it convenient to use when on go. It is handy because you can move it from one room to another easily. Additionally, you can fold it down when not in use and store it in the closet or under the bed.
You should check whether your Pack N' Play is safe for your child. Some premium models are equipped with soothing vibrations which could be a comfort as he drifts off to sleep. Also, remember that this is an imported product, and safety standards might not be as stringent as those followed for American-made products.
How to clean Pack N Play mattress?
Scrubbing
This scrubbing method works well for latex or memory foam mattresses. You can make a solution of 1 part water to 3 parts white vinegar. Spray the mattress, let it sit for 15 minutes, and scrub thoroughly with a sponge dipped in warm soap suds. For tough stains, use baking soda instead of dishwashing liquid. Rinse with clean water; wipe dry; cover with towels.
Lay your child on the Pack N' Play's floor (without a mat) to see whether he comfortably fits on it before you assemble it. If he does not fit, take out some screws using an Allen wrench and shorten its length so that his legs can bend at the knees while he is lying down inside the Pack n' Play floor level. This should reduce his discomfort by allowing him to lie on his back or side in a comfortable position.
If your child is too small and the floor level of the Pack N' Play seems very high off the ground, you can add a blanket underneath it to make it lower. However, if he is too big for the floor level and his legs hang off when laid down; consider buying a different play yard that has higher sides.
Washing
Another method on how to deep clean a Pack N Play is to remove the mattress and wash it separately.
There are two ways to clean it: By hand or in a washing machine. To do this by hand, mix some mild soap with warm water; dip a sponge into the solution, and wash the mattress thoroughly. Rinse with clean water; wipe dry; cover with towels.
If you want to use a washing machine, place an old towel on top of it for cushioning during washing. Wash the mattress on a gentle cycle using cold water only. Use laundry detergent which is free from bleach or any product that might leave color on your mattress. Hang-dry so that there will be no moisture available when your pack 'n play mattress dries after being washed. Store until next usage before using.
If the Pack N' Play mat still looks stained after washing, try baking soda to scrub away those stubborn marks. Leave it on the stained area for a few minutes before wiping dry with a clean cloth or a sponge dipped in warm soapy water. You can also use lemon juice as another option to remove stains from your pack n play mattress.
Dry cleaning
The final variant on how to clean your baby`s Pack N Play mattress is dry cleaning. This is ideal when you are dealing with a pricey mattress because it affords better protection to the surface where your child rests his head.
Remove the bassinet or changing table from the pack n' play, then take out all screws using an Allen wrench to release the mattresses in both levels so that they can be dried separately. The bottom one does not contain any chemicals so it can either be washed by hand or in a washing machine while the top one contains many types of chemicals which might retain stains if agitated with water.
Place them on separate laundry racks and let them air-dry for at least 48 hours before reassembling your Pack N' Play again after fully drying. Remember to reattach all screws securely to prevent mattress movement and provide better support of the baby`s weight.
How to clean Pack N Play mattress with Clorox wipe?
It is important to keep your Pack N Play clean for your baby's health. You can use a Clorox wipe to clean the mattress. First, remove the mattress from the Pack N Play. Next, unzip the Clorox wipe and take it out. Rub the entire surface of the mattress with the wipe. Be sure to get into all the creases and corners. Allow the mattress to air dry completely before putting it back in the Pack N Play.
Clorox wipes are a quick and easy way to clean your Pack N Play mat. They are safe to use on the mattress and will kill any bacteria that may be present. Clorox wipes are also affordable and can be found at most stores that sell cleaning supplies. These wipes are usually used when cleaning up spills or other messes. Clorox wipes are also safe to use on other surfaces in your home, such as countertops and floors.
If you have any questions about cleaning your Pack N Play mat, please contact the manufacturer.
What if my Pack N Play mattress is soiled?
If there are dirt spots on the Pack N' Play mattresses that came out after washing, you can then try using hydrogen peroxide by applying it directly to the spots of dirt and scrubbing away using an old toothbrush. If there is no improvement, let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing with warm water; wipe the mattress that is only stained, and try using baking soda to remove stubborn marks.
Leave it on the stain for a few minutes before wiping dry with a clean cloth or sponge dipped in warm, soapy water. You can also use lemon juice as an alternate option to get rid of stains from your Pack N Play mat. If there are deep crevices and grooves in your mattress, simply wipe them thoroughly with warm soapy water (without any chemicals) and air-dry on both sides.
Make sure that you fully dry both sides of the mattress before reassembling it into your pack n' play frame because moisture might cause mildew and mold which is unsafe for the baby especially when placed next to his sensitive skin. This could be dangerous if your baby tries to mouth on the mattress, so make sure that it is completely dry and properly sanitized against germs.
How do you remove a stain from a Pack N' Play mat? Depending on the severity of the stain, there are three ways how to clean your pack n play mattress. The first option is to hand wash it using mild soap with warm water, then let it air dry.
The second method is to place an old towel in the washing machine and wash it using cold water and laundry detergent which does not contain bleach or any products that will leave color behind. Lastly, if all else fails, use the dry cleaning services available in your area.
Other tips on how to clean Pack N' Play mattress
Do not use kids' fabric softener or any detergent with fabric softener sheets as it will leave a residue on the material which might cause stains. Use only mild soap without harsh chemicals that might interact with your child`s skin.
Use baking soda if you want more cleansing power for tougher stains, but be sure to wipe it thoroughly and dry everything before reassembling your pack n play mattress and bassinet. Avoid steam cleaning because this method might warp the materials used in its construction and decrease the lifespan of its parts.
Use vinegar as an alternative for bleach-free laundry products so you can remove tough stains that are caused by juice or milk. This is also good at removing the smell of baby poo which might be difficult to remove especially if it has stained due to having contact with other dirty diaper materials. Make sure you rinse everything thoroughly after cleaning but do not use vinegar on your pack n play mattress because this might change its color and texture over time.
Soak your Pack N' Play mattress in a tub filled with warm water mixed with neutral detergent for about half an hour before scrubbing it thoroughly using a small brush or old toothbrush for deep grooves, then let it air dry completely without scrubbing too roughly as this will only cause more damage. Avoid using abrasive scouring powders as they can be dangerous.
How can you clean other parts of Graco Pack N Play?
Well, the mattress is clean now. But what about other parts of your Graco Pack N Play? If the frame is free from rust and it still functions properly, then you can just use soap and water to clean it. This way, you will not only get rid of germs but also remove old stains that might give away the age of your pack n play.
Most manufacturers recommend that you should always wipe down each part once in a while, and cleaning it thoroughly after every use (even when in-between uses) is highly advisable in order to avoid germ accumulation which can make your baby sick or trigger allergies.
The best thing about this product is that all parts are detachable so they will be easy to clean even when stacked together inside a cabinet. For tougher stains, you can turn it over and use a brush with mild soap to scrub it.
You can also clean the bassinet by removing it from the frame and then spot-clean the removable parts including the mattress, changing table, cradle, and side pockets. You can leave all other exterior parts attached in your pack n play because wiping them with a soft damp cloth will be enough for cleaner results which is much easier than having different parts stacked together when you are cleaning them.
How to sanitize Graco Pack N Play with a mattress?
Since this has direct contact with your baby`s skin or even his mouth, having germs crawling on its surface is not only dangerous but also unhealthy. Most parents do not realize that their babies might actually get sick because of bacterial infections caused by the unclean surfaces of their Pack N Play. That`s why it is very important that you sanitize your baby`s bedding once in a while to get rid of germs that can give your child impetigo, early childhood diarrhea, and even pneumonia. So, how do you sanitize this product?
You can sanitize your pack n play by cleaning the removable parts that your baby might have access to, then spot-clean the exterior. You can also leave all other parts attached to avoid having a mess inside your cabinet when you are cleaning them later. For tougher stains, you can use a scrubbing brush but remember not to press too hard because this will only cause more damage.
Since Graco Pack N Play has different surfaces which might be difficult to clean especially if they have many grooves and crevices, it is best for you to use a small handheld steamer instead of wiping it with a wet cloth or paper towel. This will make the process easier and much safer for your child`s health. Place the steamer several inches from the fabric and keep it there for 30 seconds then move it over the surface to kill most germs.
If you notice that your pack n play still has many stain marks even after cleaning the removable parts, the fabric, and wiping down its exterior, then try using a cleaner specifically made for baby items that will not harm their skin in any way. This is also recommended if your mattress is too old because this might cause discoloration and even mold development or harden its surface in time. You can apply baby powder on top of the cloth before steaming it again to make sure all surfaces are evenly covered with a protective layer.
After sanitizing everything inside and outside your Graco Pack N Play, let it dry completely to avoid the growth of bacteria and stains.
Conclusion
There are at least 3 methods of cleaning Graco Pack N Play, depending on the interior and exterior surfaces. To clean the removable parts, you can use a handheld steamer or a cleaner specifically made for baby items while you can wipe down the exterior with a damp cloth. If your mattress has many stains that won`t go away even after cleaning it thoroughly, sanitize it by steam-cleaning its surface then apply some baby powder on top of the fabric to make sure there are no germs crawling around.
When done properly, proper maintenance is enough to keep your pack n play looking brand new for years. Your child will surely love this!