I am expecting my second child and just took our co-sleeper out of the garage to set up for baby's arrival. As my husband opened it up, we noticed some mildew on the outside plastic carrier. This is actually the mattress for the co-sleeper and we can easily replace this one part, but we also noticed that the co-sleeper itself smells like mildew. There is absolutely no visible sign of mildew on the actual co-sleeper. Are there any recommendations on how to get the smell out? It is a cloth material that cannot be taken off and thrown in the washing machine. Is the co-sleeper salvagable? We'd really like to figure out how to clean it and keep it since it was not in our budget to purchase a new one. Thanks for your help!
I'd take it outside and soak it with a vinegar and hot water mixture. Let it sit for 15 minutes or so and rinse with your hose. Leave it outside to dry in the sun. It's worth a shot if your alternative is to replace it!
Sunshine can do wonders!! (in addition to the vinegar and lemon juice)
I don't have a co-sleeper but I do have a bassinet that I have to clean. It has been in the basement and has that basement smell. You can try scrubbing it with a mix of vinegar and dish soap or laundry soap. You don't want to mix anything strong since there could be a reaction. I did this so far with the bassinet hood and it worked well. Just a lot to work to do and harder since I could not take it off the frame.
Through some website somewhere there was a very technical explanation of what mildew is, how it forms, yadda, yadda, yadda - and it was recommended to use Listerine. I did it with clothes , just addedd it to the washing machine, and it worked WONDERFULLY.
Maybe some on a sponge will help?
Good luck!
Try lemon juice and put it out in the sun. I would squeeze some lemons and put the juice in a spray bottle and then lightly spray it down with the lemon juice and let it sit out in the sun for an afternoon or 2. Don't use too much as it may bleach out the color.
I would try plain sunshine for a few days. them maybe a diluted white vinegar.
Anything you use to clean it or get the smell out, may potentially leave a residue or not be washed off completely. Especially if it cannot get wet, to be washed off with a hose.
A newborn is very sensitive... to topical things and smells.
I would not use it.
Maybe if you have a baby-shower & someone throws you one, you can put this in your 'registry.'
