Can you machine wash crib bumpers?

Preparing a newborn's bed is one of the most important tasks for a new mother. Many special items need to be purchased: bed linens, soft crib bumpers, pockets, pillows, and more. Before making the baby's bed, mothers need to wash the items, and this procedure raises some questions. After all, not everyone understands how to properly wash crib bumpers without damaging them or ruining the item's appearance. Let's figure out whether they can be washed in the washing machine, which wash cycle is best, and how to dry them.

How are we going to wash?

Crib bumpers are typically filled with foam rubber. To prevent them from deforming, it's important to machine wash them properly. Before cleaning, prepare the bumpers. If the product was purchased in a store, it is worth inspecting whether the seams are well stitched and how strong the fabric material is. If you purchased foam bumpers secondhand, inspect them for any surface stains. If any are found, pre-treat the stains with baby soap.

The housewife's algorithm of actions for gentle washing of foam-lined sides will be as follows:

• carefully load the items into the washing machine drum;
• Add special detergents in the required quantity to the powder dispenser;
• close the hatch door, push the tray in and turn on the machine;
• Choose one of the special modes that will clean your items as gently as possible. Delicate or hand wash are ideal;
• select the water heating temperature, it should not exceed 40 degrees;
• set the “Extra Rinse” function, if your machine has one;
• The sides should be spun at a speed of no more than 800 rpm; the optimal number of drum rotations during spinning is 400 per minute.

Washing foam sides is recommended no more than twice every three months, otherwise the product will quickly lose its properties.

After the program has finished, remove the items from the washing machine and lay them out on a flat horizontal surface for further drying. The sides need to be dried in a well-ventilated room; a balcony is an ideal place for this.

How will we wash the product?

When washing baby clothes in a washing machine or by hand, pay special attention to the selection of household cleaning products. They should contain a minimum of substances that could cause discomfort to the baby. Furthermore, detergents should be absolutely free of hazardous additives. It's impossible to completely rinse detergents out of the material; particles will remain on clothes and bedding after drying. That's why, when choosing a washing powder, gel, or conditioner for baby clothes, be sure to study the product's ingredients.

Household chemicals used for washing children's bedding should not contain:

• Phosphates. They negatively affect the baby's skin, and when they enter the baby's bloodstream, they can alter the blood formula;
• chlorine. The element will dry out the skin, causing irritation and itching;
• Optical brighteners. Particles of the substance, remaining in the fabric, can cause allergies in children.

Anionic surfactants should ideally not be included in baby laundry detergents, but a small amount of them is still perfectly acceptable.

The most popular and frequently purchased detergents for washing children's items are the powders "Ushasty Nyan" (contains A-surfactants, phosphate additives and bleaches), "Tide Children's" (unlike the previous option, does not contain phosphates), "Aistenok" (phosphate-free detergent made with a soap solution).

Based on numerous reviews from parents, it can be concluded that Tide and Eared Nanny powders often provoke allergic reactions in newborns.

You can wash the items by hand

In some cases, it is better to avoid washing the sides in the washing machine. If they don't fit into the drum of the washing machine, don't try to force the items into the washing machine to start the washing cycle. It will no longer be possible to thoroughly clean the accessories, and there is also a risk of damaging the product. Therefore, in this situation, it is better to hand-wash the foam sides.

The algorithm of actions will be as follows:

• Fill a bathtub or a large basin with water no hotter than 40 degrees;
• dissolve a little laundry detergent in the liquid;
• soak the sides so that they are completely immersed in water;
• leave them in this state for 10 minutes;
• lightly run your palm over the surface of the sides;
• gently squeeze the items without twisting them;
• Rinse the accessories several times;
• Spin again.

When hand washing bumpers, it's important to follow three basic rules: the water temperature should not be too high, the items should not be rubbed vigorously, and the spinning should be done very gently, without twisting. By following these guidelines, you can maintain the quality of your baby bumpers for a long time.

Is it worth ironing?

It is not advisable to iron or steam-treat crib bumpers due to their filling. If you really want to iron the fabric, you need to remove the foam rubber from the product. Some bumpers are designed so that the user can easily remove the filling by simply unfastening a special clasp. However, some bumpers don't have this feature, so it's best not to iron them.

If the expectant mother wants to iron the material to disinfect it, a quartz lamp can be used. It won't damage the garment and will simultaneously kill bacteria.

   

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