What should I know before I wash a sleepyhead?

[KimchiLaLa]

Sorry but not sure where else to put this and am guessing some people in this section have a sleepyhead!

Bought one in good condition second hand and want to wash the cover. I've heard it's sometimes hard to put on again and iron. Is there anything I should be aware of before removing it?

Sorry if it sounds like a dumb question, but I don't want to buy one just to ruin the cover on the first wash...

You need to wash the whole thing if its second hand.

Also, you don't need to iron the cover, it's stretchy. The washing instructions are on the label. I never found it too difficult to put the cover back on. But the flat bit in first bed then stuff the sausage in!

How do I wash the whole thing? It's basically foam...not sure that washes well...??

Have a further Google OP. I'd be nervous of a 2nd hand one just because that's basically their mattress isn't it and that's one thing they always say should be new even between siblings?

Not trying to scaremonger or anything. Obviously your choice. Hopefully someone can give more concrete advice

I've taken the cover off to wash and it's gone back on ok - like previous poster said the sausage bits a faff but not impossible. I wouldn't wash the whole thing - I'm pretty sure the base is just cardboard!

The whole thing is washable, the instructions are on it. It's not foam it's more of a polyester wadding, like a pillow. The cardboard in the base is supposed to be removed!

That's interesting. I'd always wondered why it was apparently ok to buy a secondhand Sleepyhead but not a mattress. Given that you can use waterproof bedding on it.

*cannot use

I think it's 'OK' because it's fully washable. I wouldn't buy one second hand though.

I can't imagine you can wash the internal mattress pad. Be warned - I approached the manufacturer as I wanted to buy a new mattress pad and the greedy motherfuckers tried to charge me £65 for one.

If you are just washing the cover - DO NOT wash at 60. It shrinks it slightly and it will be even more bloody annoying to get back on. I would just wash at 40 with some Dettol laundry stuff thrown in.

WRT to putting the cover back on, lay the cover flat on the floor. Put the mattress pad back in and make sure it goes all the way to the top. Zip up bottom zip. Then shove the round sausage part in by inserting one end and zipping it up but by bit, stuffing more sausage in as you go. Does that make sense

With the smaller one (the deluxe?) the ends of the sausage fold back on themselves in the bits that bend when you do the clip up. At least, that was the only way I could get mine back in after washing the cover. Perhaps I have sub-standard stuffing skills?

I'd always wondered why it was apparently ok to buy a secondhand Sleepyhead but not a mattress

Strictly speaking, SIDS guidelines do not recommend the sleepyhead. They recommend a 'firm, flat mattress', which the sleepyhead is not. And additionally advise against pillow use, which a sleepyhead could be considered.

So the Lullaby Trust can't go recommending against the use of second hand sleepyheads because that would be indirectly suggesting new ones are ok with in the guidelines. And they are not.

So there's actually no public health guidelines at all on second hand sleepyhead safety, or not. Only that which derives from the manufacturer themself, which will clearly be biased.

Thanks @FATEdestiny that makes sense. I researched them to death before deciding against it, never know if it was the right decision or not!

Hmm this thread has got me thinking

There are plenty for sale on eBay and Facebook marketplace and they are all selling fast.

I'll try and wash the whole thing then consider whether it's worth using it at all.

I always thought the reason they say second hand ones are ok is because the filling is antibacterial.

Cover can be washed easily and put back on but you're mad if you iron bedding

Washing instructions at sleepyheadgcc.com/en/FAQ-i10.html

Mattress is to be washed by hand, tube can be machine washed but gently, in a bag

I'm pretty sure the base is just cardboard!

Just to reiterate that the cardboard is meant to be removed!

OP, a friend of mine washes the mattress in the machine and says she's not had any problems doing that.