Changing Table

• done!Remove the padded topper.

  If it is vinyl, wipe it down with disinfecting wipes or a cloth dampened with water and dishwashing liquid. A cloth pad can go in the washing machine on a gentle cycle with a mild detergent. Toss a disposable pad in the wastebasket and replace it with a new one.

• done!Wipe down all sides of the changing table.

  In addition to cleaning the table itself, wipe down lotion bottles, ointment tubes, and containers of diaper wipes using disinfecting wipes or a cloth dampened with water and dishwashing liquid.

Crib

• done!Wipe down a vinyl or plastic mattress cover with a cloth dampened with water and dishwashing liquid.

  Dry with a clean cloth.

• done!Vacuum both sides of the mattress.

  Use a brush attachment.

• done!Launder all the bedding.

  Wash the sheets, blankets, and bumper in water that is at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit. (Lower temperatures will not kill dust mites, which are a leading asthma-causing allergen in children.)

• done!Clean railings and slats.

  Swipe with disinfecting wipes or a cloth dampened with warm water and mild dishwashing liquid.

• done!Wipe down the legs and the frame.

  Use disinfecting wipes or a cloth.

Diaper Pail

• done!Remove the diaper pail from the room.

  Clean it elsewhere to prevent germs from flying out into the clean nursery.

• done!Take out the liner, if you use one, and throw it away.

  If not, empty the pail into a garbage bag.

• done!Scrub the hinges and the joints.

  Use a toothbrush to remove any residue.

• done!Spray all-purpose cleaner both inside and outside to disinfect the pail.

  Wipe clean with a cloth.

Sports Gear

• done!Wipe down baseballs, basketballs, footballs, and soccer balls with a wet cloth and dishwashing liquid.

  Clean them outdoors so dirt isn’t tracked into the mudroom. Don’t use abrasive cleansers, which could damage the stitching, and don’t spray water directly onto the balls or rinse them under a faucet, since water could seep inside.

• done!Wipe caked-on mud off bats.

  Use a cloth slightly dampened with dishwashing liquid and water. Dry thoroughly with a cloth.

• done!Clean hockey sticks.

  Wipe down with a cloth dampened with water.

Toys

• done!Clean a game board and plastic pieces.

  Wipe the board and plastic tokens with wrung-out disinfecting wipes. Use the same method to clean any plastic toy.

• done!Disinfect stuffed animals.

  Either wash on a gentle cycle in the machine or stow them in resealable plastic bags and place them in the freezer for two days. At zero degrees Fahrenheit, germs can’t survive. Let thaw.

• done!Soak tub toys in a bucket of water.

  Add a splash of bleach. Rinse with water.

• done!Wipe wooden toys with a wet cloth and dishwashing liquid.

  Dry with a cloth.

Toy Storage

• done!Clean a corrugated metal tub.

  Empty it, then wipe with a damp cloth and dishwashing liquid. Buff dry.

• done!Clean a plastic bin.

  Spray all-purpose cleaner both inside and outside an empty bin to disinfect it. Scrub the hinges with a toothbrush. Wipe clean with a cloth.

• done!Clean a wooden chest.

  Apply a small amount of dishwashing liquid to a damp cloth and wipe the inside and the outside. Don’t overdo the moisture, since wood can warp. Wipe dry with a clean cloth.

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