Simple 6-Step Guide to Clean Infant Car Seats
Dear new and expecting parents, here’s a parenting tip: be prepared to clean them all.
From multiple cycles to wash all your baby’s clothes and blankets to cleaning all baby gear – it never stops.
Now, some baby gear is easier to clean, like bottles or teething toys. But cleaning gets trickier when it comes to your baby’s infant car seat. From diaper blowouts to projectile vomiting, the car seat is a witness to many tragedies!
So, let’s learn how to clean infant car seats, from the straps to the covers.
I will discuss everything from regular, light cleaning to deep and thorough cleaning. I will also include a list of cleaning tips, things you should never use to clean a car seat, and a few maintenance recommendations. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Before You Begin Cleaning
Deep cleaning your infant car seat is not a joke. You must disassemble the seat, remove the covers, and clean the straps. So, it’s best to be prepared.
1. Read The Manual
- Every car seat is different. Your manufacturer’s guide or user manual is best suited to guide you on how to clean your infant car seat properly.
- Pay attention to the disassembly method carefully while cleaning, so you can put it back together afterward.
- When you wash the covers, read the manual to find if it can withstand machine wash, or needs a hand wash.
2. Gather Materials
- Infant car seat cleaning is often almost a 24-hour job. You might not be actively cleaning the whole time, but it’s an extensive process.
- So gather all your cleaning supplies first – a vacuum cleaner, a mild detergent, a soft cloth, a small brush or swabs, and wipes.
Now let’s dive in!
How To Clean Infant Car Seats: 6 Steps
Cleaning your infant car seat is always easier once you remove it from the base and the vehicle. Before you disassemble, take photos to know how to put it all back together again!
- Remove the seat first, and keep the base installed in the vehicle if you have one.
- Now remove as much of the covers and padding as possible. After six kids, I’m a pro, but for new parents – please take photos as you go.
Spot treatments and vacuuming are easier when the pieces are disassembled and removed from the vehicle.
Do you have an upholstery attachment reserved for couches? If you do, get it out for this step.
- A small handheld vacuum can easily clean out the crumbs, lint, and everything else. It also prepares the fabric covers for washing.
- Get in the crevices of the seat with a small brush or cotton swabs.
- Remember, the vacuum will only get the loose crumbs and debris. To remove the more stubborn debris, you’ve got to scrub the seat.
- For particularly tough stains, use a soft cloth, water, and mild detergent or soap. You can also use wipes to clean the metal and plastic parts of the car seat.
- Now, towel-dry the seat as much as possible. It won’t completely dry the seat, but it will accelerate the process.
- Keep it in the sun and fresh air for a couple of days to make it feel brand new.
The straps are the most critical part of your infant car seat. This is what holds your little ones in place and protects them in case of a crash.
- Never put the harness or safety straps in the washing machine. It can stretch and damage the straps.
- I’d also suggest that you avoid submerging them in the water. That can lead to wear and tear faster than usual.
- Spot cleaning and wiping it down with a soft cloth or wipes are best to keep the straps clean.
- For the chest buckle, take some water in a cup, dip the buckle in the water, and swirl it around to remove any stubborn pieces of grime.
- You can also use an old toothbrush or cotton swabs to get at the stubborn pieces of dirt in the chest clip.
- Check the manufacturer’s manual to figure out if the fabric covers and the padding can be machine-washed.
- Most brands use machine-washable covers for the seats. However, if you aren’t sure, gently handwash them or use a soft cloth to wipe them down.
- Never put these gentle covers in the dryer – lay them out in the sun or hang them over a railing to air dry.
- Now that the hard part is over, refer to the photos you clicked earlier to put the car seat back together.
- You can also find instructional videos on your manufacturer’s website to help you through the process.
Cleaning Tips To Remember
- Clean ASAP – It sounds daunting, I know. But quickly cleaning spots and stains make the car seat last that much longer.
- Mild Cleansers – Please only use water, soap, or other mild cleansers to clean your infant car seat. I, personally, prefer using baby shampoo.
- Get the Timing Right – Depending on where you live, your clean car seat can take a few days to dry completely. Unless you have a spare, plan your cleaning day in advance so it doesn’t affect any appointments.
- Corners and Gaps – Don’t forget to clean the crevices with a smaller brush or cotton swab. It’s the best way to clean the hard–to–reach places without compromising the seat.
- Take Photos – If you’re a little (or a lot) forgetful like me, taking pictures at each step will help you assemble the seat again.
Maintenance Tips For Your Infant Car Seat
- Inspect the base, handle, harness straps, and the overall seat regularly for wear and tear.
- Spot cleaning is my best tip – clean out any spills and stains immediately, and don’t let them sit for weeks.
- Try limiting snacking in the car, but, yes I know, it is nearly impossible to manage that with smaller children.
- Don’t take the sun and fresh air for granted. Even if you keep the base locked in, get the seat out for some air to keep it fresh.
- Use baby wipes to quickly wipe down the handles, base, metal and plastic parts.
- Please do not use chemical cleaners or bleach to clean the car seat (very unsafe for your kids).
- If you’re planning to stow it away – clean it, wrap it, and store it in a cool and dry place.
Recommended Reading: How To Store Infant Car Seat
FAQs on Cleaning Infant Car Seats
1. What Are The Best Products To Use While Cleaning A Child’s Car Seat?
Water and mild soap are the best ingredients for cleaning the infant car seat.
Little ones have sensitive skin and want to put everything in their mouth. So, chemical cleaners and bleach can be quite dangerous for them.
Use wipes, water, soap, mild detergents, and even baby shampoo to clean.
Expert Tip: Avoid scrubbing the metal and plastic too hard. Steel, wool, or rough sponges can erode the material, compromising the integrity of the seat.
2. How Often Should I Clean Infant Car Seats?
They should be cleaned thoroughly once a month. However, parents hardly ever get that sort of time. That’s why I prefer spot cleaning to keep my child’s infant car seat clean for a little while longer.
3. What Are The Signs That The Seat Should Be Replaced, Not Cleaned?
Sometimes, the car seats are beyond saving. Even multiple rounds of deep cleaning can’t get them back. Here’s when you should replace them instead of cleaning them:
1. Worn-out or frayed harness straps
2. Flattened car seat cushion (don’t add another cushion on top of it. That can be dangerous).
3. Tiny breaks or cracks in the plastic parts
4. Can I Machine Wash The Infant Car Seat Cover?
Most infant car seat covers are machine washable. However, I’d warn against it if it’s not specifically mentioned in the manufacturer’s guide. Don’t forget to call your manufacturer or refer to their instructional video (if they have any) when you’re in doubt.
Wrapping Up: Cleaning Your Infant Car Seat
Baby gear is expensive. Buying another as soon as one breaks is a luxury, not everyone can afford.
That’s why it’s good to know how to clean infant car seats! Remember, the most important cleaning step is reading the manufacturer’s guide. Follow your brand’s guidelines to the T to keep your car seat looking brand new.
If you can’t clean your infant car seats once every month, don’t worry! Put the car seat through a gentle monthly cleaning – vacuum the crumbs, air it out in the sun, and spot-clean any juice stains.
Set up a cleaning routine that works for you and happy parenting!
