Clean and Healthy Tips for a Germ-Free Nursery

By Germ Expert Dr. Benjamin Tanner

Maintaining a clean and healthy nursery for your little one can seem like a never ending task. A recent Playtex survey revealed that having a clean and healthy nursery environment is a key priority for 65% of moms, underscoring the importance of keeping this special room as sanitary as possible. Germ expert Dr. Benjamin Tanner offers five simple and easy tips to help parents do just that.

Learn the ABCs of disinfectants vs. cleaners: Cleaners remove soils, but may still spread germs around, while disinfectants kill germs when used correctly. To use a disinfectant correctly in a nursery, remove your baby from the spray or wipe zone and apply the product liberally. After the label-specified time elapses, wipe off the surface with a wet cloth to get rid of any residual chemicals so your baby’s delicate skin doesn’t touch these chemicals. It’s also wise to disinfect hard floors and vacuum carpets routinely to keep germ levels low.

Know the nursery hot spots: Germ “hot spots” in the nursery are the areas that come in contact with waste in diapers and other body fluids, directly or indirectly. Areas where most bacteria typically gather include the floor, changing table, toys and toy chest, and laundry hamper – these spots should be disinfected at least once a day to kill these bacteria. Make sure to focus on these key areas more than others when disinfecting in the nursery, and use a proper disinfectant, not just a cleaner.  

Eliminate germs and messes during change time: The changing table is one of the key hot spots, and the place where diaper messes and germs are transferred from the diaper to baby’s skin. Establish a quick, mess-free diaper changing routine to help keep these germs at bay, keeping supplies handy and close by in a dedicated changing area. Get rid of diapers in a hygienic fashion that keeps germs sealed away – the Diaper Genie II Elite® Pail seals odor into the pail and out of your nursery unlike an ordinary trash can. Diapers only touch the disposable film, not the pail, so there is one less thing to clean. It also offers a convenient foot pedal, allowing you to hold your child and dispose of a diaper at the same time, and has Antimicrobial Protection built into the plastic to inhibit odor-causing bacteria.

Keep it clean after a change: Keep soap and warm water, or where not available, antibacterial hand wipes nearby to use after changing your baby. This will help stop the spread of germs within the nursery. And place a special, separate hamper inside the nursery to use specifically for heavily soiled baby laundry, which will help prevent bacteria on this laundry from spreading. Studies have shown that laundry, especially if it has come in contact with bodily fluids, can harbor great quantities of bacteria and even spread them to clean clothes through normal washing cycles.

Be mindful of germs when sickness creeps in: Take special precautions within the nursery when you or the baby is sick to prevent spread of illness to other children and throughout the rest of the nursery. Disinfect nursery hot spots even more frequently than normal, including the floor, changing table and laundry hamper, and cover all coughs and sneezes and wash hands before contact with baby and when entering the nursery.

Guest Post: The Insider’s Guide to Creating a Stylish Nursery

By Celebrity Nursery Designer Mary Bauer

Moms seem to instinctively understand the importance of creating a special nursery space where they can bond and interact with their baby. According to a recent Playtex survey, an overwhelming majority of moms (87%) agree that it’s important to put time into making the nursery a great area for their baby.  Maybe that’s because it’s not all about baby: on an average day, about two thirds of moms (67%) spend (or expect to spend) three or more hours a day in the nursery.  Since the nursery is a place where moms spend a great deal of time, ensuring the right care in preparing the nursery is essential.

Creating a nursery can be a daunting task, however, as moms strive to ensure that this special room provides style along with the necessary functionality. Mary Bauer, celebrity nursery designer and owner of Bratt Décor, offers simple tips on how to create the stylish, healthy, beautiful nursery of your dreams.

Ease up on Themes and Colors: Bright colors and busy patterns are loads of fun, but use these elements sparingly. Too much can overload the senses and make the room feel crowded. And don’t go overboard on the themes – look for less obvious elements that speak to your theme, and keep them to a minimum.

Make the Most of Your Room Size: If you have a small space, avoid using small scale furniture; instead, use a few normal-sized pieces, and choose furniture that can do double duty – like a changer that's a dresser, or an ottoman with a storage compartment. Also, use soft cool tones to make your room feel larger. Make a large room feel intimate by using low light when appropriate and taking advantage of fabulous floor coverings to minimize sound. And dark walls feel cozier – think navy, ochre and browns.

Create a Convenient Changing Space: Ensure that your changing table is well-stocked with baby wipes, diapers and an extra set of clothes right at your finger tips, so you never have a reason to leave your baby unattended. Position your diaper pail right next to the changing table and choose a pail that makes the whole process as easy as possible. The Diaper Genie II Elite® Pail offers a convenient foot pedal, allowing you to hold your child and dispose of a diaper at the same time.






Secure your Sleep Haven: Whatever your budget is, don’t scrimp on the crib – it’s the place where your baby spends the most time without you and should be a safe and comfortable space. Check out new crib regulations released by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission before making your purchase.

Keep the Whole Room in Mind:  Moms often focus on one element, be it the furnishings, wall treatments or bedding.  Consider your floors, ceilings and trim too, finding unexpected ways to make the room pop, like layering a zebra skin rug over your wall-to-wall carpet, or painting a high ceiling navy blue.  

Make It Personal: Adding personality to your decor doesn’t have to be super expensive – create your own personal touches in your nursery to make it meaningful to you. Include vintage photographs, your baby’s silver cup, framed family heirloom christening gowns, or anything else that means a lot to you. This gives heritage to a brand new space, and makes it all your own.
   
Create a Timeless Feel: No one wants to redo their rooms every year with the changing trends.  Keep furnishings, which are the big ticket items, timeless in design, and add trend with more affordable accent items like bedding and paint.

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