How To Clean A Bassinet Quickly, Easily, and Naturally!

/ Last Updated on February 12, 2021

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When you have a little one in the house, germs are something you think about often. Anything the baby touches needs to be cleaned after every spill or diaper blowout. Those of you wondering how to clean a bassinet should follow this guide to ensure that you don’t waste time or end up with poor results once you have finished the job.

Cleaning a bassinet is easy if you follow these 8 basic steps. Start with looking at the manufacturer’s instructions, remove any machine-washable parts, gather your cleaning supplies, spot treat fabrics, clean the fabrics, clean the canopy and mesh, wipe down the base, and then put everything back together.

We’ve provided a complete cleaning guide that you can apply to any bassinet, as well as some specific instructions for the most popular models. Keep reading to find out the best way to clean your bassinet quickly, easily, and naturally.

Table of Contents

How to clean a bassinet (step-by-step)

Much like any piece of baby furniture, the difficult part of cleaning a bassinet is figuring out which pieces can be thrown in the washing machine.

The cleaning process involves taking apart the pieces that do come off and finding out how each piece needs to be washed. Some pieces may be machine washable and some will be hand washed. Others may be spot-clean only, so you will need to wipe down and do a spot treatment on those parts.

The first step to cleaning any bassinet is finding the instruction manual. Since each model and brand is different, it’s important to find out how your specific bassinet needs to be cleaned. The manual should break down each piece and show you how to disassemble and reassemble the bassinet.

Find the manufacturer’s instructions for your bassinet

The kind of bassinet you have is going to affect how you clean it.

Some brands have machine washable parts, some have parts that all need to be hand-washed. Depending on the brand you have, you’ll need to check the manufacturer requirements to see if there are any special considerations.

When it comes to removable parts, there may be a tag that says how to clean it properly. Be sure to check for a tag before you throw any of the parts in the washing machine. If it doesn’t have instructions, check online to see if there are any special requirements since you don’t want to rip or destroy any of the parts by cleaning them improperly.

Reading the instructional manual on your bassinet is a great way to find the best way to clean it and remove all the proper parts. If you don’t have the manual handy, most instruction manuals can be found online.

Here are some of the questions you may look for in the instruction manual:

What’s the best way to take apart the bassinet?
Are any of the parts machine washable? If so, which ones?
How often should you clean the bassinet?
Are they any other special considerations when cleaning this specific brand?
What’s the best way to put the bassinet back together?

Remove any machine-washable parts

The first step to washing your bassinet is removing any machine-washable parts since those will be the easiest to clean. Some of the parts that may be machine-washable are the sheets, the mattress insert, and any other padding or lining in the bassinet. Be sure to check all tags and instruction manuals before washing any of the pieces.

Here are some simple steps to clean any of the machine-washable parts:

Remove any residue off of the part before washing it. Use a wet paper towel or wipe to clean any visible residue off the surface.
If there are any stains on the part, do a spot treatment before washing by wetting the area where the stain is and soaking it in baby-safe detergent.
If the parts are stained from a diaper blowout or have spit up on them, do a pre-wash cycle before running the full wash cycle. You don’t necessarily need to use detergent to the pre-cycle.
Gather your baby-friendly detergent and choose the delicate cycle on the washing machine.

Gather cleaning materials

The most important part of cleaning your baby’s bassinet naturally is finding the right cleaning supplies. This natural cleaning solution by Puracy was created by doctors and can be used on any surface. It’s non-toxic, hypoallergenic, cleans well without leaving any residue, and it’s a brand that I personally trust.

Puracy also sells an enzyme-based spot cleaner designed specifically for laundry. It safely removes tough stains from clothing, sheets, carpets, and plenty of other surfaces.

Here are some materials you may need before cleaning your bassinet:

Be sure to spot treat fabrics first (if necessary)

The Puracy spot treatment cleaner is a great product to use for any stains you may have. If there aren’t any specific stains that need spot treatment, you can move on to the next step.

No matter what type of cleaner you’re using, be sure to test it on the fabric first. To do a spot treatment on a stain, remove any solid residue first. Then, use a white or light-colored cloth or paper towel to blot the stain and try to absorb any moisture that you can.

Try to avoid rubbing the stain with the towel because that can cause you to push the stain further into the material. You can also add a bit of detergent to the stained area and let it soak before washing the entire sheet or bedding material.

Clean bassinet fabrics

After spot treating the fabrics, it’s time to put them in the wash. Most of the bedding and fabrics will be machine-washable, but be sure to check the instructions before washing.

If there is any fabric that is not removable, such as padding in the bassinet or any kind of lining, you may want to wipe it down with a cloth and be sure all the fabrics are free from dirt, dust, or any residue.

The fabric of the bassinet is the most important part to wash because these are the parts that will have the most contact with your baby. There may be zippers or ties on parts of the fabric that will allow you to remove them.

Clean any mesh or canopy material

The mesh or canopy material on your bassinet may not be machine-washable, but it should still be cleaned. Here’s the best way to clean any part that can’t be removed or put in the washing machine:

Fill a spray bottle with warm water and a little bit of baby-friendly detergent
Shake or swirl the spray bottle the detergent mixes with the water
After spraying the parts with the water, wipe them down with a cloth or towel

Wipe down and sanitize the rest of the bassinet

Any part that can’t necessarily be washed should be wiped down and sanitized. Honest Company makes a natural sanitizer spray that comes in both fragrance-free and grapefruit scented. This stuff is absolutely our favorite sanitizer spray!!

If you want the 12-pack just click on the picture above – you know you need 12!

Be aware of the material you are cleaning before you wipe it down or use any cleaner on it though. If you are wiping down something that is made of wood or metal, it may be safe but be sure to dry it off immediately to avoid any rust or damage.

Put the bassinet back to together

Before you put the bassinet back together, you need to dry all the parts first to avoid getting mold or mildew. For most of the parts, you can put them out in the sun to dry. This allows for a quick-drying process and can also help remove the appearance of any stains.

Reassembling the bassinet is a crucial step and should be done with care. If you don’t reassemble it correctly, it may not be safe for your baby to sleep in. Before you put together any of the parts, be sure to check your instruction manual for specific instructions.

How often should you clean your bassinet?

How often you clean your baby’s bassinet depends on several factors. You should clean the sheets at least once a week even if there are no stains on them. The sheets will also need to be cleaned any time there is a spill, leak, or diaper blowout.

As far as removing all the parts, it’s not necessary to do this every week, but you definitely want to clean the bassinet more thoroughly if there is a diaper leak or another spill.

Your baby doesn’t come into direct contact with some of the parts such as the frame of the bassinet, so they mainly need to be wiped down when there is visible dirt, dust, or other residues on them. It’s best to use your own judgment to decide how often you need to clean the entire bassinet and remember that it should be cleaned any time your baby is sick.

How to clean a Halo bassinet

The mattress that comes with the Halo bassinet is water-resistant but is not machine washable. Since the sides are made from 100% polyester material, they can easily be wiped clean. Here are some general tips for cleaning the Halo bassinet:

Do not use bleach or any harsh cleaners
Do not machine wash the mattress
The sheets are machine washable and should be cleaned frequently
Wipe down the mattress with water after any spills
Wipe down the sides of the bassinet with a mild cleaning solution when necessary

How to clean an Uppababy bassinet

There are several different parts to consider when cleaning the Uppababy bassinet, including the mattress pad and wall liner. Here are some tips for cleaning the Uppababy bassinet in a way that is quick and natural:

Unzip the mattress pad and remove when washing
Unzip the wall liner and remove when washing
Both the mattress pad and the wall liner are machine washable
Wash both parts on a gentle cycle with a mild, baby-friendly detergent

How to wash a Delta bassinet

The Delta bassinet is another one with many different parts to consider while washing. As an example, the Delta Children Beginnings Bassinet has a removable canopy, a mattress pad, a skirt, and a liner. Many of these parts are machine washable, making it pretty simple to clean. Here are some special considerations when cleaning the Delta bassinet:

Since the frame is metal, be sure to completely dry it after wiping it down
The fabric parts including the basket, skirt, and liner are machine washable
All other parts can be wiped down with a damp cloth

How to clean a Fisher-Price bassinet

The Fisher-Price bassinet is another model that is simple to clean and break down. There are several different styles to choose from, but they all have similar parts. Here are some tips for cleaning the Fisher-Price bassinet:

Most of the parts including the mattress pad, frame, storage basket, and canopy should be wiped down with a wet cloth and mild cleaner
Do not use bleach on any part of the bassinet or any harsh cleaners
The frame should only be wiped down and not immersed in water
The sheet is machine washable and should be washed on a gentle cycle with a mild detergent

How to clean a Graco bassinet

Graco offers many different styles of bassinets for their customers. One of the most popular models, the Dream Suite Bassinet, also functions as a changing table for babies. There are a few special considerations for cleaning a Graco bassinet:

If the model comes with a changing table, wipe down the changing surface with a clean cloth
All of the fabrics on the bassinet can also be wiped down with a cloth or towel
When cleaning the bassinet frame, only use soap and water
No bleach or detergent should be used when cleaning the frame
Mattress cover can be removed and is machine washable