clean playpenThe playpen is a great way to keep your child safe, entertained, and yes, out of the way. If you’ve been a parent for longer than five minutes, then you know any place a kid spends time is going to need some serious cleaning. We have several methods you can use to clean your child’s playpen. Check them out and then go get a clean playpen!

Safety

Here are a few general safety tips for playpens:

  • Never put pillows and blankets inside the playpen if the baby is not old enough to sit up or walk unaided.
  • Never place the playpen near the top of a staircase.
  • Never place the playpen on uneven ground.

Bathtub Method

Fill the bathtub with the hottest water possible, 1 cup of vinegar, and 1/2 cup of baking soda. If the playpen has a removable bottom, remove it and set it aside. Take the rest of the playpen and place it inside the bathtub. Let it soak for 30-45 minutes then flip it and let the other side soak. Don’t be surprised if your water looks very dirty! You can give your playpen a few swishes through the water, but just letting it soak is fine, too.

If you removed the bottom of your playpen, you can clean that while the rest of the playpen soaks in the tub. Just create a solution of hot soapy water and wipe down the playpen bottom with a sponge or rag.

After the playpen has soaked, take it outside. Bring along the bottom if it was removed. Rinse these items off with the garden hose and then prop them up somewhere to air dry.

Sponge Method

Open the playpen and remove the bottom if possible. Create a solution of warm soapy water in a container. With the soapy water and a clean sponge or cloth, scrub the outside of the playpen: legs, netting, fabric, everything. Rinse with clean water (quickest way is to take it outside, if it’s not there already, and hose it off, but you can also wipe it down with a wet rag). Then do the inside and, if you removed it, the bottom. Rinse everything again and you’re finished!

A Clean Playpen for Your Kids

You don’t want your child to spend a lot of time in a place full of dirt and germs. The playpen is no different! Keep your playpen safe and sanitary with a good cleaning every so often.