7-Step Guide to Clean a Bassinet and Mattress

I have a bedside bassinet and a separate portable bassinet at home. I dust and clean them as regularly as I can to keep my baby’s sleep sanctuary tidy and free from germs.

Sometimes, the bassinet needs a deep clean to remove stains and spit-ups, but often, a thorough wipe-down and some spot cleaning can do wonders too.

So, here’s my 7–step process to clean a bassinet. I’ll also discuss how you can clean a bassinet without washing it, including spot cleaning and more.

Don’t Skip the Cleaning, Please!

Some days, I clean the jumpers, other days it’s all about car seats, and some days it’s their teething toys, cribs, or bassinets.

And you can’t skip cleaning any of them, especially your baby’s sleep sanctuary like bassinets and cribs!

A dirty bassinet can trigger potential allergic reactions and compromise your baby’s immunity (especially if you are caring for a preemie).

So, let’s get cleaning!

How to Clean a Bassinet: 7-Step Guide

Here’s your 7-step guide to deep-clean your bassinet completely.

Step 1: Gather Cleaning Essentials

You’ll need

• a dust cloth or brush
• clean washcloths
• a mild baby-friendly soap 
• baby-safe soap or detergent solution in a spray bottle,
• a mild disinfectant (or disinfectant wipes) or sanitizer

Please ensure you use gentle cleaning products that are safe for your baby’s skin.

Step 2: Understand Cleaning Instructions

Now, it’s time to get your bassinet’s manual out and read the cleaning instructions given by your manufacturer. 

1. Read Care Guidelines – If you haven’t got your manual, don’t worry. Just search for your product’s manual on Google, or look for the product’s cleaning instructions directly.
2. Removable vs. Fixed – Understand the different parts of your bassinet, know what can be removed (covers, inserts, mesh, etc.), and how each part should be cleaned. 
3. Hand-wash vs. Machine-wash – Know if some parts can be machine-washed (fitted sheets, mattress pads) and specifically, what should NEVER be machine-washed. Split them into two categories.

Step 3: Remove the Detachable Parts

• Slowly remove the bassinet’s mattress and keep it aside for some vacuuming and spot cleaning (if necessary).
• Depending on the type of bassinet you have, you may have detachable parts like the fitted sheet, bassinet cover, and more. Make sure you remove all those parts one by one.

Step 4: Surface and Spot Cleaning

Spot Cleaning –

Spot cleaning is more effective when you deal with the stains as soon as you can. So, spot-clean first before you proceed with anything else.  

Rule number 1 for spots and stains – don’t scrub it! Scrubbing just settles the stains deeper into the cloth or mattress.

• Soap up the spots and stains using a detergent solution (the foamier, the better) and leave it in for 10–15 minutes. You can also use a soap solution with vinegar, detergent, and cold water for tougher stains.
• Then, gently blot at the spots with a clean washcloth to reduce spots and stains. 

Surface Cleaning –

• Now, you’ve got to deal with the spit-ups, drool, or diaper leaks (or full-on diaper explosions!) on the mattress covers or fitted sheets before you can machine-wash them. 
• Get the residue out by cleaning the surface using some wipes or a wet towel and detergent.

Step 5: Machine-Wash

Once you’ve wiped the surface and cleaned the stains (as best as you can), let the washing machine take over!

• For parts that can be machine-washed, put it all in and start a cycle based on the manufacturer’s instructions. 
• Sometimes, your manufacturer’s instructions won’t mention the type of wash cycle to use, or it can have different instructions for different parts. In those cases, just put it in a delicate cycle and air-dry later.

Step 6: Manual Cleaning and Sanitizing

While the machine wash is happening, let’s get at the portions that need manual cleaning. 

• Use a dusting brush or cloth to wipe away the dust from all sections of the bassinet.
• Use the soap spray on the mesh, the stand, and other major parts of the bassinet that can only be cleaned manually.
• Clean and wipe the portions with a washcloth.
• Then, use another clean cloth to wipe away the excess and dry the parts.
• If your mattress has no stains, you can vacuum it too!

Once it’s all done, give it a good sanitize using a mild, baby-safe sanitizing spray or wipes to disinfect the space properly.

Step 7: Air-dry and Re-assemble

• Make sure you place all the cleaned parts in a tidy, dry place.
• Also, please give it time to dry completely. Don’t rush to assemble the bassinet with partially dry parts.
• The same goes for the mattress too. If you place it back in when it’s partially dry, it can cause mold or mildew to build up. This can be unsafe for your child.

Once it’s all dry, reassemble it (follow the manufacturer’s instructions) and that’s about it!

Can You Clean a Bassinet Without Washing It?

Yes! I call that maintenance cleaning. And it does not require washing the entire thing.

Here’s how I clean my bassinet without washing it:

1. Spot Cleaning: Usually, I spot-clean my bassinet’s mattress if there are pee stains, spit-ups, food residue, or more. I use a cleaning spray solution on the stains and blot it out after 10–15 minutes. I then let it air-dry separately.
2. Dusting and Vacuuming: If you’ve got no stains to remove, simply vacuuming your bassinet mattress can go a long way to keeping it clean. After that, I use a dry cloth or brush to wipe away all the dust clinging to the bassinet.
3. Sanitizing: Finally, I use a mild sanitizing spray or disinfectant wipes to clean the bassinet, from the center to the edges, and top to bottom.

If you’ve spot-cleaned and are letting your mattress air dry, keep it on a clean surface in a ventilated room. Make sure it’s completely dry before you place it back in the bassinet.

Kelleigh’s Tips to Maintain Hygiene

• I prefer maintenance cleaning myself, focusing more on spot cleaning and vacuuming every few weeks.
• If you’ve got multiple kids like I do, maintenance cleaning can help improve the longevity of the bassinet, helping you use it for your next child too.
• I usually use my 7–step routine for major blowouts or accidents, or if I’m getting the bassinet out from storage after not using it for a while.
• I also prefer my 7–step cleaning routine for when I need to pack the bassinet for storage or travel.

FAQs on Cleaning a Baby’s Bassinet

In Conclusion: Cleaning a Bassinet

If you need to clean your bassinet thoroughly, the 7–step deep cleaning routine can help you out. Personally, I prefer deep cleaning before stowing it away for storage or packing it for travel. The same goes for if my bassinet has been sitting in storage for a while, and I need to use it again.

For most other instances, I do minimal maintenance cleaning regularly to keep it durable for longer. I do this by vacuuming it now and then, and spot cleaning the stains.

Please let me know if this helps you. Happy parenting.