How to Disassemble a Crib

After you bring your bundle of joy home from the hospital, your child's baby crib is essential. Before you know it, it's time to disassemble that crib and make way for a toddler bed. Disassembling is a fairly easy task, requiring a few tools and some organization. If you have your crib manufacturer's assembly instructions, you can simply follow those in reverse order 1. If not, most cribs can be disassembled in a few easy steps.

Identify the main parts of your child's crib. Verify whether there are just the main pieces -- sides and bottom -- or other smaller pieces fitting together. Look at where the pieces join together and identify the type of bolt, screw, spring or bracket that is securing the crib together.

Begin on one side of the crib. Depending on what type of bolt or screw is securing your child's crib, take a standard or phillips screwdriver and carefully begin to remove. To disassemble some cribs, you may need an allen wrench instead. Once all of the bolts or screws are loosened, carefully remove them and place them in a plastic bag or container. Mark on the bag or container the location of the bolts or screws.

Remove the side of the crib and place it outside of your work area. Look at the mattress support and determine whether it is being held on by fasteners. If it is, use your screwdriver to gently loosen your fasteners. Place any fasteners in a plastic bag or container and label it. Carefully pull the mattress support out and place it outside of your work area.

Move to the remaining crib side and begin to remove the bolts or screws. Be cautious while doing this. These are the items that are keeping the remaining main three pieces of the crib together. If possible, have a helper stabilize the crib while you unscrew. After the bolts or screws are loosened, begin on the side of the crib that is attached to the crib's back. Carefully remove the bolts or screws and detach the crib's back. Move the back of the crib outside of your work area. Repeat this process with the crib's front. You can reverse the order here if you would like. Place these bolts or screws in a plastic bag or container and label.

Examine your child's disassembled crib. Look to see whether there are any smaller pieces attached to the front, back or sides that require further disassembling. These items may include wheels or springs that you may want to remove. Place any further disassembled smaller items in a plastic bag or container and label.

Tips

You may want to wrap your disassembled crib in some foam or padding to prevent scratching and keep the pieces together.

Remember to secure your bags of small bolts or screws to the larger pieces of the disassembled crib. You can use tape that will not cause paint removal to do this.

Store the crib in a dry space to prevent wood warping.