Baby supplies can be expensive. There are a lot of special furniture and daily use items to collect to make sure your baby is safe and comfortable. With this in mind, many parents and guardians keep baby supplies for future needs. If you plan on having another baby, you should store your baby supplies rather than getting rid of them. Even if you don’t have another child, someone you know might be able to use the supplies later.
Keep in mind that babies have weak immune systems and need properly sanitized supplies. It is important to keep your baby comfortable and healthy. Use these tips from DAK Self Storage in Leesport to keep your baby supplies safe for your baby.
Baby Furniture
If you plan on storing your baby supplies at DAK Self Storage, you should start with the large items. This includes cribs, high chairs, car seats, strollers, and bouncers. These items typically take up the most room and will help you judge what size unit you will need. It is a good idea to take large items apart if possible to save room. If you have the instruction manual, keep it nearby to help with reassembling. If you no longer have the manual, take pictures instead.
For cleaning these items you will want to gather a variety of supplies. You will want, soap, water, buckets, rags, sanitation supplies, a vacuum, etc. Each type of piece will call for a different cleaning method.
Fabric Parts
- Vacuum up crumbs, dirt, and dust.
- Wipe off with a damp rag, then dry.
- Remove stains. You can buy non-toxic stain remover or use an equal mixture of vinegar and lemon juice.
- Remove odors. Sprinkle baking soda on fabric wet or dry and leave for 20 min. Vacuum up remains.
- Clean, Sanitize, and Disinfect. If the item can be put in the washing machine, wash with warm water on a gentle setting. If the item cannot be placed in a washing machine, hand wash with soap and water. If necessary, wipe with nontoxic disinfectant or sanitizing solution.
- Let dry.
- Store in a cool and dry place. If using DAK Self Storage, it is a good idea to use an indoor unit.
Hard Parts
Large hard parts can be wiped off with soap and water or a nontoxic disinfectant. To store, you can wrap each part in a sheet or keep them in the original box. If you choose to store them in the original box, make sure it is sealed to keep dirt out. When it is time to reassemble the parts, be sure to clean again to be sure the baby is safe and healthy.
Small Plastic Toys
Small plastic toys can be washed in the dishwasher on a gentle setting. You can also wipe them off with a nontoxic disinfectant wipe or use a mild soap to soak them in the sink. Store in a BPA free container in a warm, dry place.
Bottles
To clean and sterilize the bottles, boil them for about five minutes. Afterward, dry them thoroughly. Some people keep the tops while others decide to replace them for the new baby. The choice is up to you. If you do decide to keep the tops, inspect each one to make sure it is safe to use. Also, rewash each bottle before using. It is a good idea to buy a BPA free container for storing. Also, make sure that the container is air tight to keep bacteria and allergens out.
Clothing
Kids grow fast and go through clothing quickly. Thus, it makes sense to keep clothing for the next child. It saves both money and time. The first step you want to take when storing clothing is to launder and remove stains. This ensures that the clothing will be in the best condition when you need it again.
For storing, it is important to choose the right container. You don’t want your clothing to yellow over time. Acid-free archival storage boxes are a good choice if you are not stacking too much weight on top of the clothing. If you are worried about the boxes getting crushed, you can buy plastic storage containers. Make sure they are made of cast polypropylene. These types of containers are marked with a #5 inside the recycling triangle or say “PP”.
To further protect the clothing, you will also want to buy archival tissue paper. Make sure it is free of acid or lignin. Place a layer between each garment and use it to stuff hats and puffy sleeves. This will add an extra protective layer and help stop yellowing. You should store the containers in a warm and dry place and inspect your items at least once a year. If you live near Berks County, DAK Self Storage is a convenient and safe place to store your items.
Toys
To begin, you will want to separate the toys into separate categories. A good idea is to separate them by size and material. Most soft toys can be washed in the laundry or washed by hand. Harder toys can be wiped off or gently scrubbed with soap and warm water.
To sanitize them, you can use diluted liquid chlorine bleach. Use 1 tablespoon of bleach per quart of water. As long as the bleach is properly diluted, it is considered safe for cleaning children’s toys. You can also use sanitizing solutions labeled nontoxic. Be sure to wash the toys again before reuse.