How to Clean a Next to Me Crib, Moses Basket & Travel Cot

Your baby spends 12–16 hours a day sleeping — face pressed against these surfaces, breathing in whatever’s lurking in the fabric and padding. Whether it’s a Next to Me crib, Moses basket, cot mattress, or travel cot, keeping sleep items clean isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about creating a safe, hygienic sleep environment.

How to clean a Next to Me crib

The Chicco Next2Me (and similar bedside cribs from Snuzpod, Tutti Bambini, and others) has multiple components that each need different treatment.

The mattress

Most Next to Me crib mattresses have a removable, washable cover. Unzip it and machine wash at 30–40°C depending on the label. The foam core inside should never be submerged in water — it’ll absorb moisture and take days to dry, creating a perfect environment for mould and bacteria.

To clean the foam core: lay it flat, sprinkle bicarbonate of soda liberally over the surface, leave for 30 minutes to absorb odours and moisture, then vacuum it off. For stains on the foam, spot clean with a cloth dampened with mild soapy water and blot dry immediately.

The fabric sides

The mesh sides of a Next to Me crib can usually be wiped with a damp cloth and mild detergent. Don’t soak them — the mesh is attached to a rigid frame and excessive moisture can cause mildew behind the fabric where you can’t see it.

The frame

Wipe the metal or plastic frame with a damp cloth. Check the folding joints for accumulated dust and grime. If the height-adjustment mechanism feels sticky, clean the joints with a dry brush.

How to clean a Moses basket

Moses baskets come in various materials — traditional wicker, fabric-lined, and modern woven designs. The cleaning approach depends on the material.

Wicker Moses baskets

Wicker should never be submerged in water or saturated — it can swell, crack, and lose its shape. Vacuum the wicker with a soft brush attachment to remove dust. For marks, wipe gently with a barely damp cloth and let it air dry immediately. If the wicker smells musty, place it in direct sunlight for a few hours — UV light is a natural deodoriser and kills surface bacteria.

Fabric liner and hood

Most Moses basket liners are removable and machine washable at 30°C. Check the label. The hood (if fabric) can usually be spot cleaned with a damp cloth — removing it for washing risks bending the wire frame inside.

The mattress

Moses basket mattresses are usually thin and firm. Remove the cover and wash it. Clean the mattress core the same way as the Next to Me — bicarbonate of soda, vacuum, spot clean only. Never soak.

How to clean a cot mattress

Cot mattresses take a lot of punishment — nappy leaks, drool, sweat, and the occasional vomit. Most parents only think about cleaning them when they notice a stain or smell, but regular cleaning prevents bacteria and dust mite buildup.

1. Strip and wash the cover if removable. Machine wash per the label — typically 40°C.
2. Vacuum the mattress surface and sides with an upholstery attachment. This removes dust mites, dead skin, and debris.
3. Spot clean stains with a cloth dampened with mild soapy water. For urine stains, a 50/50 white vinegar and water solution is more effective — apply, blot, don’t saturate.
4. Bicarbonate of soda treatment: Sprinkle a generous layer across the entire surface, leave for at least an hour (overnight is better), then vacuum thoroughly. This neutralises odours and absorbs residual moisture.
5. Air it out. Stand the mattress on its side near an open window or in sunlight. UV light kills bacteria and freshens the mattress naturally.

Important: Never steam clean a cot mattress unless the manufacturer specifically says it’s safe. Steam pushes moisture deep into the foam core where it can’t dry, creating ideal conditions for mould.

How to clean a travel cot

Travel cots (like the Joie Kubbie, BabyBjörn Travel Crib, or Graco Pack ’n Play) get dirty fast — they’re used on holidays, at grandparents’ houses, and then folded away damp or sandy.

• Fabric sides: Most travel cot fabric can be wiped with a damp cloth and mild detergent. For the Joie Kubbie and similar models, the fabric panels don’t detach for washing — spot clean in place.
• The mattress: Travel cot mattresses are usually thin foam pads. Clean the same way as a cot mattress — remove cover, wash cover, bicarbonate of soda on the pad, vacuum, air dry.
• The frame: Wipe the metal frame and folding joints. Sand and grime from holidays gets into the hinge mechanisms — a dry brush clears this out.
• After beach holidays: Sand gets everywhere in a travel cot. Shake it out thoroughly first, then vacuum every surface before wiping down.

Cleaning sleep items between babies

If you’re pulling a Next to Me crib, Moses basket, or cot mattress out of storage for a second (or third) baby, a surface clean isn’t enough. Items stored for months accumulate dust mites, potentially mould, and general mustiness that you don’t want next to a newborn’s face.

At minimum: wash all removable covers, bicarbonate of soda the mattress, vacuum everything, and air it all out in sunlight. Check for any mould spots, especially on mattresses and wicker. If you find mould, read our guide on whether mould is dangerous and how to remove it.

For complete peace of mind, a professional clean eliminates everything — bacteria, dust mites, mould, odours — with baby-safe products, so you know the sleep environment is genuinely safe for your newborn.