Without frequent cleaning, baby equipment can quickly become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria.
Saliva, crumbs, milk spills and other messes accumulate on prams, car seats, cot mattresses and soft toys.
Occasionally, this baby equipment needs professional cleaning, but there are things you can do at home to prevent these items from becoming potentially hazardous.
How to clean a baby mattress
Cot mattresses need to be thoroughly vacuumed and aired about once a month. They may need extra cleaning due to accidents or bottle spills.
If there are no spills, vacuum the mattress first to get rid of any dust, hair, baby powder or skin cells. If there’s a spill, do this at the end.
Step 1
If there’s been a nappy or bottle spill, use paper towel to remove any excess liquid.
Step 2
Clean the spill and any other spots with a sponge and mild baby-safe soap mixture.
Step 3
Rinse thoroughly to remove any soap residue but don’t oversaturate the mattress. Remove any excess moisture with a dry towel.
Step 4
After rinsing, disinfect the mattress with a light mist of rubbing alcohol. This will evaporate without rinsing.
Step 5
Allow the mattress to dry in the sun or a well-ventilated area. Make sure the mattress is 100% dry before putting it back in the cot.
How to clean a cot
Avoid using harsh chemicals when cleaning anything your baby might touch, wear or play with.
Wipe down the frame of the cot with a 50/50 solution of warm water and white vinegar, which is a natural deodoriser and sanitiser.
Vacuum any debris that might have fallen under the mattress and check the cladding and mesh for grime that needs spot cleaning.
How to clean a car seat
Most removable car seat covers are machine washable. If the cover isn’t too dirty, you can spot clean it or wipe it down with a 50/50 water and white vinegar mix.
Use the same solution to wipe the plastic, belts and buckles. Vacuum all the crevices where crumbs and dust may have collected.
Make sure everything is dry before you reassemble and return to the car. Check all the belts and buckles are working.
How to clean a pram
Remove the fabric seat from the frame and shake or vacuum crumbs, hair and debris before machine washing.
If the seat can’t be machine washed, hand wash it with a baby-safe detergent. Use a soft-bristled brush or toothbrush to remove stains and dirty spots.
Wipe down the frame, trays and cup holders with the water and vinegar solution.
Wash the wheels with soapy water, taking extra care to remove any debris that may stop the wheels turning smoothly.
Use Q20 on any folding or rotating parts to keep them moving smoothly and wipe off excess Q20 with a paper towel.
Make sure everything is 100% dry before you reassemble to avoid mould and rust.
How to clean soft toys
Most soft toys can be cleaned in the washing machine.
For those that can’t, hand wash using a baby-safe detergent and a mild white vinegar solution to remove smells and germs.
Toys that have battery compartments must be spot cleaned and lightly misted with rubbing alcohol to sanitise them. Lay the toys in the sun to dry completely.
Professional baby equipment cleaning
It’s normal for baby equipment to accumulate deep-down dirt and grime over time that’s difficult to remove at home.
For peace of mind, professional cleaning services should be used periodically to thoroughly remove this dirt.
At Chelsea Cleaning, we offer professional deep cleaning of babies’ car seats, prams and cot mattresses.
