Introduction
From preparing the wood to the finishing touch (varnish), here are the steps to follow to renovate your toddler’s future bed yourself (DIY).
1) Surface Preparation
To facilitate the paint’s adhesion, you will need to sand or strip the crib first. This will also increase the paint’s longevity over time.
Sand or strip?
If the bed has its original paint or varnish and these are not toxic (compliant with the toy standard), you can simply sand with sandpaper. Sand first with a high grit (80 for example) before finishing with a finer grit (180 or 320).
If the wooden bed was painted with glycerine or a varnish not suitable for children, it will be necessary to strip! Indeed, we want a healthy base to apply a quality paint!
Strip with an eco-friendly recipe
In addition to being eco-friendly, this recipe is very economical!
Ingredients:
- Baking soda
- Water
- White vinegar (put it in a spray bottle)
- In a bowl, pour one part baking soda to one part water
- Stir and apply the mixture to the wooden parts of the crib.
- Spray the white vinegar over the entire mixture and let it sit for 15 minutes
- Using a spatula, remove the mixture from the wooden parts
- Rub with iron filings
- Dry with a cloth or tissues.
2) Paint the baby bed
Which paint should I use for a baby crib?
Knowing that a newborn sleeps more than 18 hours a day and therefore spends a good portion of their time in their crib, it’s therefore essential to choose a paint that’s safe and healthy for your baby.
Especially when you consider that one day your baby will sit up and start biting the bars!
So choose a paint made with natural ingredients and certified VOC-free (volatile organic compounds). To do this, look for a paint that complies with the toy standard. These paints don’t give off toxic odors.
3) Varnish, to protect the paint
Once you’ve covered the crib with one or more coats of paint, it’s time to protect the surface to ensure the paint’s longevity!
Just like choosing the paint, you must pay attention to the quality of the varnish and, above all, to ensuring that it’s safe for your baby.
Therefore, choose a varnish that meets toy standards. This is a guarantee of safety.
There are different finishes for cribs on the market: matte, glossy, or satin. The easiest way to apply the varnish is with a flat brush.
Final Word
There are no magic formulas for successfully painting a crib! Above all, you need a high-quality, natural paint. Furthermore, don’t underestimate the steps of preparing the surface (especially if the crib was painted with harmful paint) and finishing. After all, if your renovation is successful, the crib may be used by other children in the family!