Say No To Dirty Jumpers! How To Clean Baby Jumpers?

Hey, my lovely parents, isn’t it exciting to watch our little ones having their best time in their jumpers? On that topic, do you remember when was the last time you cleaned your little one’s baby jumper?

Babies are prone to illness and infections, so, ensuring the maintenance of their play tools is very necessary. And just like other toys, a jumper is also exposed to dirt, spills, etc. that are likely to affect your child’s health. 

So, let’s discuss the essentials of how to clean baby jumpers, why you should clean them now and then, how to store them properly, and more baby jumper maintenance. Let’s get to it!

Why It’s Good to Clean and Maintain Baby Jumpers

Our babies are truly unpredictable – one moment they are bouncing with a smile, and the next they become the messiest kids ever. Many a time I was left wondering, “What on Earth even happened?” 

However, we, as parents, can ensure that they are safe from any potential hazard or illness when they are jumping and bouncing away. And that’s done by cleaning and regularly maintaining their baby jumper. 

And why is it important? Take a look below at the reasons:

1. Avoids Illness 

Babies clearly get excited when they are in their jumper. 

• And out of that excitement, they often spill or puke what they’ve been eating or drinking. This can make a jumper dirty.
• After making sure your baby is all cleaned up, you must also immediately clean the jumper with disinfectant to ensure that your baby is kept away from potential illnesses. 

Your baby might fall ill if the jumper is left with dirt or half-eaten food.

2. Reduces Wear and Tear

Cleaning baby jumpers helps us parents notice breaks or wear and tear in them.

• At times, a jumper may have tears that we don’t see when we don’t pay close attention to it. And we might never see it unless we clean it.
• Also, checking on the jumper regularly will keep your child safe from bruises, cuts, etc.

3. Avoids Accidental Falls

So, when your baby accidentally (or sometimes intentionally!) spills something, that could get on their clothes, the baby jumper, their toys, and on the floor.

• If spills or food gets on the floor, your child could slip on the wet floor and fall off with the jumper. And that’s not good. 
• If they’ve fallen with the jumper, those straps can even pull at their limbs and cause bruises! They can also get tangled up if you are using a particular type of baby jumper, like a doorway jumper.

4. Longer Lifespan

If jumpers are left unwashed for longer, the play tool may start getting weak with time. 

• When you don’t pay attention to maintenance, it will impact the product’s longevity to a great extent, leading to fast breakage, unwanted tearing, and weakening.

I got the jumper maybe a year back, and I have made sure that I maintain it well. And guess what – my child’s jumper is doing quite well – without any wear and tear. Also, my child is bouncing safely within it. 

How to Clean Baby Jumpers?

Often, parents get concerned about their babies putting every toy or jumper attachment in their mouth. They also have plenty of questions about cleaning a jumper, sanitizing the toys, maintaining the seats, and a lot more.

So, parents, here I am with a step-by-step guide on how to clean baby jumpers:

Step 1: Wash the Seats and Fabric Inserts

Most jumpers come with detachable seats or if not, the fabric is always detachable.

• Wash the fabric with mild soap or detergent. Parents, do not overuse a detergent because post drying, it may irritate your child’s skin.
• Pay attention to the washing instructions in the manual that comes with a jumper.

Step 2: Clean the Toys and Attachments

Most jumpers today come with fancy toys and other entertainment attached.

• And so, I ensure that the toys and other attachments on my child’s jumper are first cleaned with a damp cloth.
• After that, I spray them with a disinfectant to reduce bacteria, which thereby reduces infections. Oh, and do not machine wash a baby jumper!

Step 3:  Clean the Frame and Straps

Children are messy; they are always going to spill food or make their play tools dirty. Trust me, parents, I have been disinfecting Theo’s jumper quite often.

• Clean the frame with a damp cloth. Do not machine wash any of it. 
• Similarly, you must clean the straps using mild disinfectant, since those straps are closely attached to your little one’s body.

And that’s about it!

I know it takes a lot to create a germ-free environment for your little one. Being a mother, I am constantly on my toes maintaining my little one’s play tools, cleaning the floor, and disinfecting any other object he touches. 

I would suggest that you look for jumpers that come with detachable seats and fabrics – this way your cleaning process becomes convenient and easy.

Baby Jumper Maintenance: Crucial Steps

When children get exposed to new things and new surroundings, they can sometimes fall ill because they are still in the process of developing a strong immunity. So, here arises the need to maintain hygiene and cleanliness, especially with their play tools like baby jumpers. 

I have summed up a few pointers to help you maintain a baby jumper. Take a look:

1. Regular Checks

• Your baby will jump, bounce, and create a mess, but it is our responsibility to ensure that everything gets cleaned up now and then.
• Check on the jumper regularly, and inspect if it has any wear and tear, and if the screws still fit well. If not, resolve the issues immediately and watch your child bounce happily.

2. Toy Attachments

• Our little ones, often, out of excitement, tend to overuse the attached toys to the point where they can break.
• Or the toys may lose their elasticity and become weak with time. So, keep an eye on the toys attached to a jumper. Try fitting them tight if any of them are loose-hanging.

3. Maintain Straps

• The straps play a major role in securing your little one on their jumper.
• Consistent checks on straps are a must. They must not be left torn, as this may expose your child to the risk of falling off or hurting themselves on a jumper.

Keeping our children safe is the only thing that we, as parents, do not compromise at all. And introducing them to a jumper may be an easy task but maintaining it is a big one.

I try not to leave Theo’s jumper dirty. I would also suggest that you check the manufacturer’s guidelines for cleaning a jumper and what potential issues the product may face.

The Right Way to Store Your Baby Jumper

After all the fun and bouncing, we’ve got to store the jumper in a safe place. Storing it safely is as important as maintaining it. 

Our babies have the luxury to step out of the jumper and carry on with their playtime without a care in the world. But as parents, we’ve got to make sure we keep their play tools safe. Once I take Theo out of his jumper, I make sure that his favorite jumper is out of his sight but, stored in a safe space. 

Regular maintenance enhances the longevity of a jumper, and so does proper storage. Here’s how you can go about it:

1. Fold and Detach the Pieces

First, fold a jumper using the given buttons. Once that’s done, the entire jumper can be set down. 

• Now, once the jumper is down, press the button to detach the base tubes and other attached toys. 
• Separating the parts of a baby jumper will help you better store it without occupying much space.
  

2. Find a Place to Store it Well

• So, now, it’s time to make sure the jumper is out of your child’s reach, and stored away from direct sunlight and moisture.
• I keep Theo’s jumper right under my bed. We have an optimum space wherein a jumper easily fits in. Other spaces like closets, sofas, etc. work well too. 

My dear friend (also a mother) stores her baby’s jumper this way:

3. Use Bags or Containers

• Keeping them in separate bags or containers can protect the jumper from collecting dust and more.
• As mentioned above, parents, you can use oversized containers or bags that will save space for you. Storing a jumper in them will keep it safe from any wear and tear, too.

Takeaway on Cleaning Jumpers

As we get to witness our little ones giggling with excitement on their jumper, we also know how significant it is to maintain one. Because the only way to keep it clean is through regular maintenance. In my article, have listed down the prime factors and maintenance tips that I follow to ensure my child’s favorite play tool is safe and running smoothly.

To summarize, and I am emphasizing this – Keep a jumper clean, regularly monitor straps, check for loose screws, and keep a close watch on other attachments. If by any chance you feel a jumper is nearly breaking down, I would suggest you retire it immediately. 

Also, a highly durable and quality jumper is straightforward to maintain and store.

Until then, take the time to maintain it, make memories, and have the best experience with your child bouncing their heart out on their jumper.