It is wise to always be ready when parenting, especially for those times when you must answer the diaper duty calls.
Although diaper pads are necessary for an enjoyable change, it is understandable that they might also attract germs and, well, diaper waste.
How Do You Clean The Diaper Changing Pad?
There are several ways to clean your best diaper-changing pad. You can either hand wash or machine wash it.
Hand-Washing The Diaper Changing Pad
Step 1: Use a paper towel to wipe up any visible excrement that may be on the pad. Before sterilizing it, look for any soiling on the changing pad’s surface and ensure that the pad is as clean as possible by trying your best to blot and wipe off any visible feces or pee.
The best changing pads should have a secure grip, use this grip to hold the pad firmly as you clean.
- Hand-washing your pad is simplest when done on a flat surface.
- Consider cleaning your pad after every use to maintain it as clean as possible.
Most changing pads are made of water-resistant materials like canvas, rayon, and polyester, which makes the initial cleaning process much simpler.
Step 2: After the initial wipe down, use a disinfectant wipe to sanitize the pad easily and allow it to air-dry for a few minutes. If you do not have any wipes, think about using paper towels and disinfecting spray instead.
Step 3: If you do not want to use harsh chemicals, you can clean the surface with soap and water. Do this by applying a pea-sized amount of mild detergent to a paper towel or cloth and wiping it down. Pay special attention to the areas where your baby sits to make sure the changing pad is properly sanitized. Before putting any detergent or soap on your pad, always read the care label to ascertain that you are using the right products.
Step 4: Completely unfold the changing pad and fasten it to a clothesline or clothing rack. So that the pad can dry well, leave the item in an outdoor or indoor location that receives a lot of fresh air then fold and store the garment as usual when it is dry to the touch.
Step 5: To thoroughly disinfect the pad, mist it with water and some mild bleach mixed in a spray bottle. Wipe down the pad with a paper towel after allowing the bleach to stay on for 2 minutes to disinfect it. Repeat the entire process on the other side of the pad.
Machine Washing The Diaper Changing Pad
Step 1: Any visible stains should be cleaned from the pad using a paper towel or clean cloth. After that, use a disinfectant wipe to instantly sanitize the pad. Make sure there is no visible fecal matter on the pad before placing it in the washing machine.
To find out how long disinfectant wipes take to sanitize a surface, read the label before using the wipes.
Step 2: Check whether your changing pad has a care label sewn on it and see if the labelling recommends hand washing or machine washing. If it allows machine washing, read the care instructions to see whether a normal, permanent press or delicate cycle is suggested.
Different care requirements will apply depending on the changing pad you use.
There are many waterproof, machine-washable changing pads available, however, if the pad has additional padding built-in, it might be better to hand wash it.
Step 3: Place the pad in the washer using the recommended cycle and water temperature while making sure to reference the care instructions. Once it is cleaned, check again to see if it is to be tumble dried or air dried. Wait until the changing pad is dry before using it again.
It is critical to carry out an extensive deep clean after your baby has had a stomach bug, i.e., following any unusual symptoms of vomiting or diarrhea. This will protect them from perhaps contracting another infection from their own germs and will protect both you and the rest of your family.
Best Diaper Bag Maintenance Technique
One of the dirtiest items in your travel pack is likely going to be the diaper bag. Imagine the mess that will be made in your diaper bag by old, spilled milk, used diapers and burp cloths, dirty wipes and your baby’s changing pad. It can be a bacterial and viral minefield.
As a parent, you carry around your entire existence in your diaper bag. Because your bag serves so many functions, such as being a handbag, a first-aid kit, but mainly, a travel bag for your baby, you will want to keep it clean.
We will explore ways to stay on top of the diaper bag cleaning routine here:
Empty The Bag
The first step is to unzip all of the pockets and take everything out, then to get rid of any crumbs that may have gotten stuck in the crevices, turn the bag inside out.
Remove The Stains
Pick up a fresh dish towel and prepare in a sink, warm water, and some detergent, then use the towel after wringing it out, to gently scrub away the stains. If you have really difficult stains, you may opt to add a teaspoon of baking soda to the soap mixture.
The majority of diaper bags are made of polyester or cotton, which can simply be cleaned with detergent and water. However, if your diaper bag is made of leather, you might require specialized cleaning products to prevent damage. Check the inside of your diaper bag for washing instructions before cleaning it, just in case.
Wipe Down The Inside
Scrub the interior of your diaper bag in a circular motion with a moist dish towel. Turn the bag inside out so you can reach all of those compartments and dig through the lining to reach tight spots in the bag.
Wipe The Exterior
Apply the same method to cleaning the exterior of your diaper bag as you did with the interior. With a quick swipe of the wet kitchen towel, remove any dirt as you move from one end to the other, not forgetting to take good care of the handle. Use one or more sanitizing wipes to finish the process.
Air Dry The Bag
Drain any excess water by hanging your diaper bag upside down outside to dry while leaving the pockets open. Additionally, it will help in preventing the growth of any germs or mold. Last but not least, if even if you are in a rush, take care not to destroy the design of your diaper bag by putting it in the dryer.
Maintain A Clean Changing Pad And Diaper Bag
If you keep to these simple guidelines, maintaining your changing pad and diaper bag clean and germ-free is not that hard. Cleaning your baby pack on a regular basis will help reduce germs that tend to collect over time.