You rely on your baby swing (check them out here) to soothe and calm your child when they are not in your arms so it’s important to keep it clean and germ-free. If you own one, you already know how messy it can get and that it’s not always easy to clean. Infants make a lot of mess, from their sticky fingers and spilled milk to nasty leaks.
Aside from regular cleaning, it’s important to give your infant swing a good deep clean every once in a while. Here is the best way to do it.
Take Note of Manufacturer Instructions
First, make sure that you have read the instruction manual, specifically the maintenance section. You need to know if the seat and the covers are machine-washable and the recommended machine wash settings. If you no longer have the manual, you can usually find a digital copy online.
Disassembly
To deep clean a baby swing, you need to dismantle it so you can reach into nooks and crannies where food, liquids, and dirt are often stuck. Before you do so, make sure to make a mental note of where each part goes so you can put it back together without a hassle. Better yet, take a photo with all the parts laid out on a surface.
Wipe the Frames
Most baby swing frames are easy to clean. Simply apply a small amount of mild liquid soap on a non-abrasive cloth and wipe it on the frames. If there are a lot of dried spills and stains, you can also wash the frames in warm water. Wipe the frames again with a clean dry cloth.
Wash and Dry the Covers
Depending on the material of the baby swing’s seat cover, you can either machine-wash or hand-wash it.
Most new models are machine washable but make sure to check the label and the manual. Use the recommended cycle and setting. Usually, it is on gentle cool cycle but if you’re not sure, it’s best to set it on delicate wash setting. Make sure to use a mild detergent because harsh chemicals can irritate your baby’s skin or trigger allergies.
Let the cover dry completely. Only toss it in the dryer if the care instructions say that it is safe to do so.
Using a Vacuum Cleaner
If your baby swing’s seat cover is non-detachable, you can still give it a deep clean by using a vacuum cleaner. It’s important to make sure there is no dust in the crevices. You can use a curtain attachment or a brush attachment to clean the fabric.
Spot Cleaning
Remove persistent stains that were left after washing by spot cleaning them. A small amount of baking soda can do wonders on stains. Rub it onto the stain and let it stand for 30 minutes before brushing it off then wash the cover again with mild soap and warm water.
Steam Cleaning
Steam cleaning is a great alternative to clean a baby swing. It also kills germs and bacteria that may otherwise survive regular washing. Remove stains on the seat cover using the upholstery attachment of the steam cleaner.
Don’t forget to clean children toys too.