How To Clean Mold From A Wicker Moses Basket

By  Chris Deziel

Things Needed

  • Cloths

  • Respirator

  • Dish soap

  • White vinegar

  • Sponge

  • Toothbrush

  • Bleach

  • Rubber gloves

Tip

Use bleach as a last resort, and be sure to rinse it off thoroughly to remove all traces once the mold is gone. If you leave the basket outside in a protected spot for a day or two to dry, any remaining bleach odor should dissipate.

Warning

Mold is a heath hazard for your baby. To prevent it from growing, store the basket in a dry, well lit and well ventilated area; mold thrives in dark, damp places. Check the stored basket regularly for telltale black spots, even if you don't use it often, and clean it as soon as you notice any.

Baby in wicker basket.g-stockstudio/iStock/Getty Images

As a parent, keeping your infant comfortable is of prime concern, and your little one will stay warm and cozy in a Moses basket. This type of wicker basket — named after the basket in which Moses was found floating in Nile, according to the Old Testament — is easy to carry and can be luxuriously outfitted with a fleece lining. It won't be healthy for your baby if it has mold growing on it, though, and that can happen if you store it in a dark, damp place. It's best to handle mold quickly, before it spreads.

Step 1

Take the basket outside on a dry day and wipe it down with a damp cloth to remove as much loose-clinging mold as possible. Wear a respirator while doing this to avoid breathing in the spores you release into the atmosphere.

Step 2

Mix a cleaning solution containing 1/4 cup of dish soap, 2 cups of warm water and a cup of white vinegar. Wash the basket with this solution, using a sponge. The soap loosens dirt and mold while the vinegar, which is an acid, disinfects. Use a toothbrush to scrub mold from inside the weave of the wicker.

Step 3

Rinse the basket with a garden hose, making sure the water washes out all traces of soap. Wipe off excess water with a clean cloth. Let the basket dry in the sun.

Step 4

Treat areas of mold that remain with a 1-to-1 solution of household bleach and water. Wash them with a sponge, and scrub with a toothbrush as needed while wearing rubber gloves to protect your hands. Rinse the basket with a garden hose, and repeat if necessary. Wipe off the basket, and let it dry in the sun after the final rinse.

References

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