Help! My toddler took off a poop diaper in the pack-n-play. There's no cover to remove that could be thrown in the washer. I did get the surface stuff off, but still feel like it's contaminated! Has anyone ever dealt with this problem? Have you had a pack-n-play mattress dry cleaned? Did you feel like it was really clean? I've considered throwing the thing out, but still need it occasionally.
Thank you Mamas for your responses. I cleaned as some of you suggested and then went one step further. After my initial cleaning, I decided to use Out! Stain and Odor Remover (pet stain remover--now kid stain remover!) Label said it permanently removes feces, urine, and vomit among other things and it's safe to use around children. I cleaned the mattress and the top of the pack-n-play with it and then let it all dry in the sun. After scrubbing, hosing off, and then using Out! I feel like my pack-n-play has been saved! Also informed my hubby of a new house rule, son must have shorts or pants on over his diaper to avoid potential messes!! Thanks again!
If it is a material that you think will dry and won't soak through, I would take it outside and spray it with cleaner and rinse it off. Let it dry in the sun....THEN buy a sheet to put over it that does come off. They do sell them and then you can wash it when needed. If you can't clean it, just get the sheet anyway so at least it is clean on the baby.
We fortunately haven't had that issue with the pack and play but I bought ours used and wanted to make sure it was super clean. I just took it outside and scrubbed the mattress and the whole bed with a disinfectant cleaner and rinsed it very well and let it dry in the sun. I don't have a backyard hose now but we have since cleaned the mattress like that in the tub with a spray wand. We use a mattress pad under the sheet for the pack and play we got at Buy Buy Baby. You have to be careful with the sheets, though. The first set we bought was cheap and the elastic was too tight causing the bed to buckle. We got a better organic sheet that didn't have that issue and was softer, too. I hope that helps!
I have never cleaned a pack n play mattress but if I needed to I would clean the surface like you have and then sprinkle baking soda and let sit then vaccuum off. I would say a vinegar spray or disinfecting wipes would do a good job too. My son sleeps in a pack n play and I use pack n play sheets, like crib sheets but for the pack n play. I got a 2 pack at Walmart for less than $10. Just a suggestion for future messes, that way you do have something to throw in the wash!
For a while my son had to sleep in a pack n play because his crib broke. I bought a pack n play sheet to cover. But of course you can still get those messes. I used a dish soap and vinegar spray to scrub it and it came out slean with no problem. The worst was when he was sick and it did get out the mess and smell. I also used it on the top part since he would have stuff on his hands as well.
I've cleaned many Pack 'N Plays in my home daycare because of the 3 P's (pees, poops and pukes). After cleaning the surface with bleach water, I SOAK the pad with bleach water and scrub it some more. Then I SOAK it with more bleach water and let it dry (outside in the sunshine if possible). Good luck!
When my boys where younger I would clean it in my tub or outside with the hose if it was nice out and clean it with a bleach/water mixture in a spray bottle or mop bucket! That seems to clean it and disinfect it all at the sametime. Good Luck
My daughter is almost 3 and still uses hers as her bed. Loves it. The way I have been cleaning it only when it gets really dirty and usually from her feet from running around barefoot all the time. I have learned wash her well before bed and use blankets and comforters to cover the bottom as we have no sheet for the thing. That away I can wash the blankets and comforters as needed. When I do wash the thing I put it into my garden tub with some dish or laundry soap unless its stained and then disinfectant if needed or stain cleaner and scrub it with a brush or broom thats clean and rinse and put outside to dry. Works for us but I have noticed the more you do this the more the inside hard part of wood starts to bend so don't do that too often. Maybe do the dry cleaning thing or steam clean it even. I didn't think of that until now. But the more water used on it the worst it will get sweetie. Good Luck and God Bless.
I was going to say pretty much the same as what the other moms have said. It happens to us all, though.
Just get it quickly with disinfectant, rinse well, and let it dry in the sunshine.
lysol wipes and lysol spray!!!
If you still feel uncomfortable, spray it down with the clorox anywhere spray or something similar and let it "sun" for a while outside in the bright sunlight. If you prefer to not use clorox, use vinegar.
T. Koyn
