How To Make Playpen Mattress Cover? Comprehensive Guide

Helen Skeates
Helen Skeates
21 min read

This tutorial will show you how to sew a mattress cover for a playpen. The mattress should be protected from spills, stains, and general wear and tear with a mattress protector, especially at childcare centers and during family vacations.

An old sheet (it doesn’t have to be very big), scissors, a measuring tape, a sewing machine (but it’s not required), and thread are all you need. If you don’t have any elastic straps on hand, a sturdy ribbon would suffice in a pinch for this craft.

What is a playpen?

A playpen is a tiny, portable enclosure with bars or a net on the walls and an opening on top, where a baby or toddler can play and be occupied, typically while the parents are busy or out of sight.

Playpens are typically constructed out of wood furniture because of their portability and versatility.

Wood is also favoured because it is lighter in weight, more adaptable in design, and safer.

It’s an artificial-free zone where kids may utilize their imaginations and have fun without adult supervision.

A playpen is not the same thing as a crib since a playpen is often made of lighter material and can be moved around more easily.

DIY/ EASY: PLAYPEN MEMORY FOAM MATTRESS - YouTube

Various ages that are suitable for playpen;

  1. At around four months of age, your baby should be introduced to the playpen so that she can grow up knowing that it is a safe place for her to play. The baby may feel unsafe in an enclosed setting, which could lead to anxiety in the event of a later introduction.
  2. Between the ages of six and eight months, a baby is learning important developmental milestones, and a playpen is an excellent environment in which to do so because it is safe and secure. Children can learn to sit and stand on their own by introducing new toys when they are in it.
  3. Around eight to ten months, infants can pull themselves up to a standing position or begin to crawl. It could be argued that confining them would dampen their spirit of exploration. The playpen might not be the ideal choice if you want to encourage exploration.

Many Playpen Functions

  • Napping

When it’s sleep time for the little one, the playpen comes in handy.

The benefit here is that a kid isn’t tied down to his or her bed and can learn to fall asleep pretty much anywhere.

  • Playtime

When it’s time for the kid to play independently, parents and caregivers can leave toys in the playpen.

  • Travel

A playpen is useful for travel because it frees up your hands from carrying the infant.

When the baby is content in the playpen, the parent is free to attend to other matters, or even take a break themselves.

When space is at a premium, playpens can “double” as beds for babies so that parents can get some rest.

A playpen should be used in areas of the home where children are at risk, such as near outlets and cables, and in areas where pets are kept to protect them from potential injury or illness (infections).

When looking to buy or acquire a playpen, it’s important to take into account a number of criteria, including the baby’s weight.

It is important to select a playpen that won’t topple over while the baby is playing inside or taking a sleep.

Baby size is another factor to consider.

Playpens for infants and toddlers should be roomy enough to allow for safe, uninhibited play.

The playpen needs to be lightweight and easy to transport, thus its design should reflect that.

The playpen should be easy to fold up or hang up when not in use.

One more crucial consideration is the size of the specified space in which the playpen will be installed.

If your home is already cramped, buying a huge playpen is not a good idea.

The playpen’s additional features, such as wheels for easy mobility, a place to stack diapers, and storage for baby gear, are also important to consider.

In case you need to rock a baby to sleep, a rocking attachment is also quite helpful.

Since a playpen isn’t intended for permanent installation, it’s important to think about how much money you can afford to spend when shopping for one.

There are some different types of playpens

1) Standard playpen

This has an elevated floor and open sides for indoor child entertainment, and it allows the youngster to engage with its supervisor.

2) Playpens Gates

Some playpens, also known as playpens gates, do not have floors and are designed to be placed on a lawn or in a corner of a home.

It’s roomier, yet it’s useless for transportation.

3) Travel playpens

These may be folded up and stored easily.

Primarily, they are used for napping infants in transit.

Above six months, when a baby begins to crawl, is the optimum time to introduce a playpen.

If you want your baby to feel comfortable and free to explore its surroundings, it’s best to have one before it begins to crawl.

If a playpen is unclean, has holes, or is otherwise in poor condition, it should not be utilized.

To prevent injuries, do not hang anything from the ceiling that a baby could pull on, such as a rope or ribbon.

Playpen has its pros and cons;

Advantages.

It provides a secure environment in which a child can stay when adults are not there.

It frees up the parent or guardian’s schedule so that they can get everything done around the house without interruptions.

When the youngster is done playing and needs a place to rest and sleep, the playpen can serve double duty as a crib.

The playpen’s walls provide necessary back support for the infant, making it an ideal tool for teaching the baby to sit up on their own.

Since the infant may walk with the aid of the hand-holds, his or her balance and coordination are greatly enhanced, allowing the baby to begin learning to walk at an early age.

Disadvantages.

Leaving a baby in a playpen for extended periods of time might cause parents to feel distant from their kid, leading them to be less attentive and less likely to provide the nurturing environment the baby needs to thrive.

Some worry that a child’s physical development would suffer if they are confined to a playpen for too long, although this is an issue that has yet to be proven.

Making Playpen Mattress Cover

Your child’s playpen mattress should be kept clean and in a safe place. You can simply take matters into your own hands with some basic sewing equipment, even while the safest solution might seem to be just buying a replacement playpen mattress cover that matches your current one.

Pack N Play Mattress 101: The Evidence-Based Safety Guide

How to construct a mattress cover for a playpen in three easy steps

First, fold each sheet in half lengthwise so that the resulting pieces are 18 inches wide.

Step 2: Now, using the folded edges as guides, cut out two circles with a 20-inch diameter. For each circle, make a series of four cuts along the perimeter.

Third, bring the two sets of cuts together in the middle of the circle’s backside, and secure them there with a string or ribbon. It’s important to do this for each of the four corners.

Finally, step four is to tuck in the fabric that is hanging around your mattress.

Is Dream On Me Mattress Safe?

The Dream On Me mattress is currently one of the most sought after mattresses available. In addition, they are well-known for making high-quality, kid-friendly inflatable beds with features suitable for children aged roughly five and up.

However, GREENGUARD® Laboratories, Inc., which verifies the safety of green materials used in children’s sleeping environments, has evaluated and approved their goods, which is a major selling point.

This implies it has been tested and found to have low chemical emissions into interior environments where infants play and spend time on a regular basis, meeting all applicable safety regulations for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including formaldehyde limitations. Therefore, you can be assured that Dream On Me items are risk-free for your kid.

Is Hiccapop Pack And Play Mattress Safe?

The Hiccapop is an inflatable mattress pad that offers additional support and luxury. It is fully reliable for use with youngsters since it is constructed of soft memory foam; it is also waterproof; it is hypoallergenic; and it satisfies all applicable safety regulations.

It’s compact enough to toss in the back of the car, so your little one can sleep soundly at the cottage in the summer or on the road.

Can You Put Mattress Pads In Pack N Play?

Never pad the bottom of a Pack N Play to make it a more pleasant sleeping environment for your child. In addition, most producers do not advise using any additional mattresses or mattress toppers.

A snug sheet like this one is the only risk-free option to boost the coziness of a pack n’ play, giving a newborn or child a clean, comfortable place to sleep without adding too much heft.

How Do I Get My Baby To Nap In A Pack N Play?

Children do not automatically learn to sleep through the night. They need to pick it up quickly! Your infant will grow used to sleeping in the pack n play in due time.

How to get your newborn baby adjusted to sleeping in their new bed

Place them on the mattress inside the pack n play to keep them safe and comfortable.

Until they feel comfortable napping alone, some infants may find comfort in having mom or dad nearby. When things are going well, you can slowly start to pull apart and let go.

When a baby is having problems falling asleep in a pack n play, some parents turn to white noise or other calming sounds to see if it may help.

Swaddling your baby during naps can help them feel safe and secure, allowing them to sleep through the night without waking up too often.

Do You Need A Waterproof Cover For Pack N Play?

If you don’t want fluids from a wet diaper, for example, to seep into or damage your main mattress, a waterproof pad placed underneath the pack n play mattress pad/protector should do the trick.

If you anticipate that your baby will be sick during nap time, you may wish to use a waterproof pad.

How Do You Clean A Playpen Mesh?

To begin, remove all packaging from the playpen. Set up the playpen either outside on a hard surface or on a watertight mat. Set it up in a spot that won’t be ruined if water leaks out of the playpen while you’re cleaning it.

Combine the soapy water with the water in the bucket. If you use too much soap, you won’t be able to get the residue out of the mesh, and it will just attract more dirt and stains.

Saturate the sponges in the cleaning solution and compress gently to eliminate surplus liquid.

Put two sponges, one on each side of the mesh netting, back to back to start cleaning it. Move the sponges in unison to clean both sides at once.

Why It’s Important To Clean Your Pack n Play

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends routinely washing infant toys to eliminate bacteria and grime. Cleaning your child’s toys as frequently as you would a high chair is not a requirement that must be adhered to religiously. Although, it seems safe to assume that this is also the case for a pack and play.

Use at least one of these methods on a regular basis to ensure that your child’s pack and play is free of harmful mold and mildew.

If your diaper bag and playard aren’t cleaned regularly, mold can grow inside of them. If you don’t keep up with common infant messes like spills, it could also develop discolored. Maintaining a clean playpen will extend its useful life.

Even though it’s a pain to keep up with frequent spot cleaning, doing so can help you prevent the kind of serious issues that could force you to throw out your pack and play altogether and start over.

How Often Should I Clean My Graco Pack N Play Mattress?

Your kid needs to know that he or she can feel secure when playing on the play mattress you bought. How often should the Pack N Play mattress be cleaned? Baby’s crib sheets need to be washed every other week.

Keep in mind that this is a congregating spot for bodily fluids. Blankets and comforters should be laundered every two years at the very least. I would suggest machine washing them in hypoallergenic detergent.

Baby’s pillowcase should be changed out at least once a week. Additionally, their cushions may be washed once each month to keep dirt and grime at bay.

Check Your Owner’s Manual

Before cleaning a portable crib, play yard, or pack ‘n play, check the manufacturer’s instructions to see if any specific cleaners are recommended. Cleaning with dish soap and hot water, rather than bleach, is what the Graco website suggests.

Even though the included carrying bag can be washed in the washing machine, Graco suggests air drying the pack ‘n play instead. Wash the bag in lukewarm water without detergent, and then hang it to dry.

After a day at the beach, the sand in the pack ‘n play might be difficult to remove. Sand easily scratches the top rail and the lock. If you have a pack ‘n play and have misplaced or forgotten the manual, you can find cleaning instructions and possibly even a downloadable copy of the manual on the manufacturer’s website.

Most mattresses found in pack ‘n’ plays, travel cribs, and play yards are not waterproof; therefore, it is important to keep these items out of water. You can use a damp towel to wipe them, or you can invest in a waterproof mattress protector designed specifically for your brand and model.

How To Clean A Pack And Play Mattress: A Complete Guide

Here are the three simple actions you need to take to clean and disinfect your pack and play. Whether you want to stick with a single strategy or switch back and forth between them is up to you, but options are always welcome.

Wipe Down

A wipe-down procedure is helpful for keeping your pack n play free of spit-up messes and stains. Clean the mattress using a vinegar and water solution sprayed on it, then wipe it down with a dry cloth. Vinegar may not be your preferred cleaning choice, but any baby-safe natural cleaner will suffice. The Better Life Natural All-Purpose Cleaner is my go-to for cleaning situations like these.

First, fill a spray bottle with a solution of one part white vinegar to one part water. Having little children means constantly having to deal with stains, and this can help.

Then, when your baby gets older, you should check the Pack ‘n Play for stains.
For best results, let it sit for a few minutes before applying more pressure with a cotton swab. You could also use a baby-safe cleaning product. Permit ample time for air drying.

Rinse

If you want to clean the unit thoroughly, it’s best to do so in a setting where you can give it a full rinsing, such as outside or in a bathtub. Most playpen beds have removable coverings, making them easy to toss in the wash. The best way to clean the rest of the unit is to remove the mattress and wash it in the bathtub. Clean the mattress using a mix of water and laundry detergent that is suitable for infants, using a brush. Make sure you give it a good rinsing and let it air dry. Leaving it out in the sun to dry is ideal, but the bathroom will suffice in a pinch.

Deep Clean

If you’ve had your pack ‘n play for a while or if it’s really dirty—like if your baby left a trail of peanut butter and jelly—you may give it a good scrub down. Just remember that this cleaning technique isn’t covered in the manual. Because of this, you should think carefully about the method’s advantages and disadvantages.

If you’ve just finished cleaning anything, make sure to check the locks and other moving parts to make sure they’re all secure and that they’ve dried properly.

To thoroughly clean your pack ‘n play, do the following:

Fold the play yard up and take out the mattress. The following should be added to half a tub of warm water and soaked in:

  • This nontoxic, 12-cup baby laundry detergent is your go-to.
  • An eighth of a cup of vinegar
  • half a teaspoon of salt

Carefully immerse your folded pack ‘n play, travel crib, or play yard in the prepared water for one hour after filling the tub with the necessary ingredients. Make sure the mattress or mat is not getting wet. It will always need to be spot cleaned. Do not put it in water, since this can cause it to decay and become unsafe for your infant.

With your back out of the water, wipe it down with a warm, damp rag, and then dry it thoroughly with a towel. Make sure the locks and hinges are completely dry before proceeding. The pack ‘n play can then be taken outside and dried in the sun.

Find a sunny spot indoors if you don’t have a place for it to dry in the sun outside your home. Before utilizing your pack ‘n play, double-check the locks and hinges to make sure they are in good working order.

Extra Tips

  • First, you should examine the mattress to find out what it is constructed of. Wood and cardboard may distort if submerged in water, so don’t do it.
  • The best way to assure proper drying and prevent mold formation is to lay everything down flat.
  • The mattress can be swished or scrubbed with a towel or gentle brush, but excessive scrubbing could cause the material or mesh to tear.
  • If there are any bacteria after a thorough cleaning, the sun will kill them.
  • There should be no need to use bleach on the mattress in the nursery, as this is where your baby will be sleeping.

Why You Need To Clean Your Pack N Play

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you clean everything your infant comes into contact with on a frequent basis. It’s crucial to keep your infant clean and safe from harmful bacteria and dirt on a daily basis. This is crucial not only for playthings and feeding utensils, but also for places where babies sleep, such as a pack n play. Using the aforementioned strategies, you can ensure that your child’s safe sleep place remains mold- and mildew-free.

Mold can grow in a pack ‘n play, so it’s important to regularly clean and sterilize it to prevent the spread of illness to your kid. Vinegar is an effective and chemical-free way to achieve this. Keep an eye out for spills and spit-up so you can clean the pack n play as soon as possible.

You can’t tell what kind of unpleasant bacteria can persist on your playpen even if you give it a deep scrub, so if your pack n play gets caught in a flood while it’s being packed away, I would throw it out immediately.

If you must buy a used pack ‘n play, make sure you thoroughly clean it before using it for your infant.

Your Pack and Play may get dirty faster in some spots than others. The bed and its accompanying mattress is an example of this. Even while I take the health of your children very seriously, I know that there are some germs and debris that I simply cannot keep out.

Toys and infant equipment, like a pack and play mattress, can be protected from the spread of germs by being cleaned on a regular basis.

Newton Crib Mattress Review (2020)

FAQS

Can washing make the pack n play warp or change shape

It is possible to destroy and warp the unit depending on how you pack n play. Before putting your pack-and-play in water, make sure to read the included maintenance guidelines. Because of the cardboard lining, some pack n plays should not be washed in the washing machine but rather spot cleaned.

How do I get the stains out of the pack n play mattress?

Mix 1/4 cup of baby laundry detergent with 2 tablespoons of baking soda and a tiny amount of water, then rub the solution over the stain on the pack n play mattress. Wait a few minutes (ten is ideal), and then use a damp cloth and some water to remove the stain.

What if I do not have a bathtub and cannot wash your playard outside?

The unit may be cleaned easily using a shower’s water pressure. Even if you can’t soak it, you may still scrub it and rinse off the soap in the shower.

How often should I wash the pack n play?

Whether or not you utilize a pack-and-play on a regular basis will determine how often you will need to wash it. A pack ‘n play should be washed more frequently if it is used daily, but a once-in-a-while wipe down will suffice if it is rarely used.

How to clean a pack n play in winter?

Don’t clean your pack n play outside in the cold weather; instead, use the bathtub. Take advantage of the deep cleaning procedure by letting the unit soak in the tub for an hour before rinsing it off under the shower.

Helen Skeates

Helen Skeates

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.