The most important piece of baby furniture is the baby crib, which your baby will use from birth until around 15 months. And as babies sleep most of the time during this age and, hence, use the crib most of the time, it is only logical that it must be kept clean at all times. After all, you want to keep your baby as safe as possible from grime, germs and dust mites.
Fortunately, keeping your baby's crib clean is a very easy task to do. This is good news since you can spend more time with your baby instead of worrying about a difficult task ahead.
Crib Beddings
Your baby will need crib beddings like mattresses, blankets, sheets, bumper and quilts. These are necessary to keep your baby warm, provide a firm sleeping surface and just generally make him look cute. (A word of caution: You must ensure that unnecessary beddings are taken out of the crib when your baby is sleeping or is left alone lest SIDS becomes a frightening possibility)
To clean crib beddings, you must follow the manufacturers' washing instructions. If the instructions say hand wash them, then never place them into the washing machine. If it says use warm water and mild detergent, then do so. Besides, you do not want your baby's skin to be exposed to strong detergents, which may cause severe allergies on his sensitive skin.
It is also very important to separate them from other clothes since you want to avoid contamination especially from underwear. Keep in mind that underwear bears traces of the E.coli bacteria from residual feces.
As for the mattress, always air them at least once a week under the sun. This should kill the dust mites that have been gathering in it, with a hand vacuum sucking out the dirt.
Crib Pillows
Your baby may also have need of baby pillows. If this is the case, you must ensure that said pillows are washed in a mild detergent and water solution on a monthly basis. To do so, just fill a large basin with warm water and mix in a mild detergent solution. Soak the pillow one small section at a time and rub gently until the entire pillow becomes clean. Now, gently pat the excess detergent and rinse a few times in clean water. Place under the sun to dry and turn it frequently to allow for even drying.
You may also use the dryer for this purpose although you may have to fluff the pillow more because of the twists. Also, if your baby is allergic to feather pillows, a foam pillow is a good option although you must remember not to let him sleep with it since suffocation is a risk.
Crib Components
As for the metal, plastic and wood components of the crib itself, you must wipe it with a clean cloth and a mild disinfectant. You also need to vacuum the crib at least once a week just so dust and dust mites living in the spaces between slants and railing can be removed.
Cleaning the crib is also an opportunity to check for any defect, loose part and missing components that may pose safety risks to your baby. You want to make sure that not only is your baby sleeping on a clean crib but he is also sleeping on a safe one.
