Rachel Sopak

Do you have a pack n’ play that needs a good deep cleaning but you can’t just throw it in the washing machine?

In this simple step-by-step guide, I used a Graco pack n’ play. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Bathtub
• 1/2 cup detergent (whatever you use to clean your baby clothing)
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1/4 cup baking soda
• Gloves
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Sponge or scrub brush
• Rubber gloves (for dish washing)

How to clean pack n’ play: step by step guide

Step 1

Fill your bathtub with hot water, as hot as you can get it. Be sure to check the cleaning instructions on your specific pack n’ play to see if there is a maximum temperature when washing the material. This process may need to be repeated if it has a cold water recommendation.

Step 2

Add the 1/2 cup of baby safe detergent, 1/2 cup of white vinegar, and 1/4 cup of baking soda into the tub of hot water. Using a spatula or wooden spoon (make sure it can hold high temperatures) mix the solution, making sure it is dissolved. BE CAREFUL not to burn your hands or arms while mixing the hot water. I recommend wearing gloves – cheap dish washing gloves from the dollar store will do.

Step 3

Soak the pack ‘n play for 1-hour. If you can’t fully submerge it, turn it over after soaking for 30-mins (see photo below). You can wait until the full hour is up, or you can begin scrubbing the stains on the side that was first submerged while the other side continues to soak.

Step 4

Don’t be surprised if the water is filthy after soaking (see photo below). Empty the tub and get scrubbing! Any remaining stains should scrub off easily.

Step 5

Rinse with cold water using a detachable shower head. If you don’t have one, you can take it outside and rinse with a garden hose.

If you feel like the water isn’t running clear or the material has some heavy stains, you may want to repeat the soaking process one more time for good measure.

Step 6

Air-dry for 1-2 days. Open the pack n’ play frame and let it sit in direct sunlight for a day. Make sure to air-dry the mattress separately from the frame in the sun as well. You may need to set it on its side and rotate it every few hours to allow both sides to dry. This may take 1-2 days for the water to completely evaporate depending on the material of the mattress – mine took a solid 2-days to air dry in direct sunlight.

If you gave this a try, let me know in the comments how it worked for you!