Between food stains, markers, crumbs, and spills among other things, baby car seats can get pretty dirty.
How to clean it up?
Well, with kids, that’s possibly a question you ask yourself constantly. But don’t worry because we’re here to help you understand what to do. There are several ways you can get the car seat looking brand new again, so read on to find out.
Be fast
If you let stains and spills sit for a long time, removing them successfully will be next to impossible. Dry messes can sometimes wait, but wet messes can’t. You are probably going to take care of the baby first and ensure they are alright. But remember to wipe off anything you can with a rag or wipes as soon as possible. If you don’t have the time, at least clean the seat cover. This will prevent the spill from drying up and setting in.
Check the baby car seat manual
Before searching for “household items cleaning” or “house cleaning items” on the internet, read the seat manual carefully. Trust us you don’t want to miss any specific cleaning instructions from the manufacturer. The car seat manual should come with some helpful leads for all the cleaning methods you can use.
This is the most important step because you can mess things up if you do something wrong. You might render it unusable by using the wrong cleaning products or method. For example, it’s tempting to get the pressure washer out and blast away all that gunk, but this can actually damage parts of your car seat. With correct instructions, it will be easier to get the job done safely.
Wipe off everything
Before you get down to cleaning out the nooks and crannies, pick up as much solid debris as you can, just like you are cleaning any household item. While it may seem you’re picking away for hours, it’s going to be much easier to clean the seat when you do this. You can use baby wipes or a simple cleaning towel for this step. If you have a handheld vacuum, even better.
Remove the cover and padding
Take off the cover and any removable padding from the seat for easier cleaning. Most car seats come with covers that can easily be removed. Start from the top and remove any clips or buttons used to fasten it in place. Many fabric covers can be washed on the delicate cycle of the washer with cold water. Double-check your manual to be sure this is permitted. Use a mild detergent and ensure it is thoroughly rinsed. If you use the washing machine, avoid using the dryer. Putting any car seat parts in the dryer can compromise their integrity.
If the cover can’t go in the machine, use warm water to clean yours by hand. Use the sponge to clean the spots and stains till they fade. Imagine you are cleaning your sofa or any other soft household item. Use the mild soap on visible stains, then rub gently using a circular motion.
Clean the frame carefully
The base and frame are the easiest parts of the car seat to clean. If you are dealing with a dry mess, a vacuum cleaner is your best bet here. Then use soap and warm water to clean the entire frame, wiping it down with a clean cloth afterward to remove any soap residue.
Air-dry the car seat before assembly
Once you are done cleaning, place the car seat where it can air dry completely. Air drying in the sun will help get rid of any odor left behind and leave it smelling fresh. If you have a removable cover, hang it to dry and leave it be. If the cover does not come off, leave the entire car seat in the sun to dry out. It’ll probably take more time than it would if it was disassembled, but better than leaving it to collect mold or mildew. It’s advisable to leave the car seat for a few hours or up to a whole day to allow it to dry fully.
Finally, reassemble the car seat
Once everything is completely dry, reassemble the car seat and put it back where it belongs. If you took note of everything while disassembling, reassembly should be a breeze. You can easily refer to your manual if you are unsure about how you did it. You must ensure the cover fits right.
In case you want a professional cleaning service you can always come to us – O’Dry Cleaners. We provide lots of services, from dry cleaning to household item cleaning.