How to Clean Baby Gear Safely at Home in India [DIY]

Baby gear is essential, especially for babies and young parents. Every new parent needs to have some good baby gear, especially to help manage the day. But it is simply not about using the items. Babies drool and tend to spill food and drinks all over themselves.

Now, if you will not leave your baby in dirty clothes, why should you let them use dirty gear? You also need to clean and disinfect them; otherwise, using them for a long period will collect germs and make your baby sick. So, let us understand how to disinfect baby gear so that your little ones can be happy and safe.

Which Baby Gears Need to be Cleaned Regularly?

When understanding how to disinfect baby gear at home, you need to clean some items regularly. These are products that your baby can use on a daily basis:

1. High chairs, strollers, baby carriers and ride-ons

Any stroller, high chair, or baby carrier that you use for your baby's daily needs must be thoroughly disinfected. Your baby will soon learn to sit in a high chair and eat, or eat sitting in a stroller when you go out. That means food is spilled everywhere. So, you need to take care when cleaning these items; otherwise, they may lead to cockroach infestations.

2. Bottles, teethers and rattles

Any items that your baby uses daily or puts in their mouth should be disinfected regularly. These items are left out in the open and are exposed to millions of germs, and those germs go into your baby’s mouth.

What are Some Safe Cleaning Products for Baby Gear?

When trying to find out ‘how to disinfect baby gear,’ there are some that are great for babies, but some that are not safe. Here are some options you can and cannot use:

1. Soaps and disinfectants that are baby-safe

You can use any soap or disinfectant that is EPA-registered. You can try a safe option by using natural cleaning for baby gear, such as mixing white vinegar and water or even using a mild soap and water. Anything that is not too fragrant and does not contain toxins is great to use for baby products.

2. Ingredients to avoid for infant safety

When choosing certain disinfectant brands, take care to avoid any items that contain harsh chemicals. Try to avoid any items that have bleach, sulphates, phthalates, parabens, and synthetic fragrances. These can irritate the skin of your baby or even lead to poisoning when ingested.

How to Disinfect Without Damaging a Baby Gear?

You can use disinfectants to clean or wash the baby gear. However, it is crucial to understand how to disinfect baby gear at home without damaging anything. You can better use a precise solution of bleach, vinegar, and water, or sprays that are baby-safe.

1. Surface-specific cleaning methods

If you want to clean the surface, it is best to use soap and water, followed by a diluted EPA-registered solution to remove any dirt or food. If it is a food or water stain, then you can use child-friendly disinfectants, but make sure to check the labels about the materials used to make the product.

2. Machine-washable vs hand-cleaned items

When cleaning fabrics, you can machine wash with a gentle detergent. But always rinse the materials thoroughly. In case of any delicate fabrics, hand wash them with warm water and soap.

Cleaning Schedule Based on Baby Gear Type

When planning to clean baby gear, you can always use a cleaning schedule for baby items, depending on the items. You can always clean some items daily, such as bottles and teething toys. For items such as bedding and mattresses, you can wash weekly, but deep clean once a month. For strollers, carriers, and car seats, wash them every 1 to 2 weeks.

Cleaning of products will depend on their utility. If, for example, your baby stroller has been deep cleaned and stored correctly, then all you need to do is wipe it down before using it. However, items such as teething rings, toys, and bottles should be washed and sanitised daily.

These are items your baby uses every single day, and comes in contact with everything around them. So, wash them out more thoroughly.

For those parents in India, this was our checklist that you can use to monitor when and how to disinfect baby gear and what products to use.

Tips for Cleaning Outdoor Baby Gear Like Strollers & Ride-Ons

Want to know 'how to clean a stroller' or a ride-on without using any toxic or harmful products? Here is our simple three-step method for cleaning baby gear:

• Start by dusting or brushing off any dirt or dust using a clean brush or a damp cloth. Wipe down the handles, wheels, and any other part that your baby can touch.
• Sanitise the entire stroller or ride-on by using non-toxic disinfectants or a mixture of white vinegar with water. Pour the complete mixture into a spray bottle and use it over every part of the gear.
• Deep clean the stroller or ride-on every month or as required so that any clothing items are washed in the machine, and any other internal part is washed out thoroughly.

R for Rabbit Baby Gear: Cleaning Made Simple

Our R for Rabbit Baby Gear is designed to make life simpler for parents and happier for their little ones. Each item comes with its very own ‘how to disinfect baby gear at home’ labels that will let parents know what can and cannot be used.

Our designs are easily manageable, and all our gears, such as strollers and ride-ons, can be dismantled for cleaning. We also have write-ups about how to clean a stroller that will guide you with products, maintenance, and inspection tips to follow.

Storage Tips After Cleaning Baby Items

Always remember to clean your baby’s gear using mild detergent and soap. But that is not the end, you need to air dry the products as well. Depending on where you live in India, it is best to dry the items naturally, but not in direct sunlight. Try to wipe off the excess water by using a clean cloth or towel.

But try not to use a drying rack unless you are sure that the rack is clean as well. Once all the items are completely dry, you can store them in a cabinet or a dresser drawer. But make sure that wherever you store it is dry and free of mold, otherwise your main reason for cleaning and disinfecting the products will be wasted.

Key Takeaways

No matter what baby gear you use for your little one, it is important to clean and maintain it at home. You need to make sure that there is no wear and tear; otherwise, that could adversely affect your baby.

If you want to buy any gear for your child, then you can check out our long list of items that can help keep your child safe, healthy, and happy. While all our items come with cleaning labels, the actual cleaning part is up to you.