How to Clean Baby Car Seats with Simple & Easy Steps

Keeping your baby’s car seat in good shape can be a challenge, but here are some tips to help.

Children tend to be messy, don’t they? All of us can agree on that, I think. A baby car seat can get pretty dirty with food stains, markers, crumbs, and spills.

There are times when they have epic accidents and before you have a chance to pull over, they are so gross you cannot help but cringe. Immediately following that, a question arises in my mind: “How can I even start cleaning this up? ”

You may ask yourself that question constantly when you have children. We are available to assist you in the event that the latest crime scene is your car seat. In order to restore its original appearance, there are several methods you can use, so read on for more information.

What’s the first step?

The ideal world would allow some of these messes to happen at home, where things can be handled more easily. Most people hear the ominous sound of retching when they’re well on their way.

It won’t matter how messy things get, one day you will be able to laugh about it. Well, perhaps not now, since it will happen again, but there is no doubt that your time will come. The first two steps are as follows:

1. Improve your results by moving fast

Stains and spills will be nearly impossible to remove if you let them sit for a long time. It is sometimes possible to wait for dry messes, but it is not always possible for wet messes. Your first priority will probably be to ensure that the baby is well.

Next, make sure you wipe off everything you can as soon as you can with a rag or wipes. In the event you do not have the time, you should at least presoak the seat covers. By doing this, the spill will not be able to dry out and become permanent.

2. Consult the manual for your baby’s car seat

First, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the manual before you clean the baby’s car seat. In spite of the fact that most car seats are manufactured with similar materials, it is important to be aware of any specific cleaning instructions provided by the manufacturer.

There should be some helpful information in the car seat manual about all the different methods for cleaning the seat. Are you having trouble finding the manual for your car seat? Online versions are available from most manufacturers.

Find your car seat’s model on the company’s website (it’s usually on the bottom of the seat), and the manual should be linked there.

If you miss anything, you can mess everything up. Use the wrong cleaning product or method and you may render it unusable. It’s tempting to blast away that gunk with the pressure washer, but this can actually cause damage to your car seat. Getting the job done safely is easier with the right instructions.

I tell my husband and I not to eat food in the car after every time we have to clean a car seat. However, this does not last long and it is not an option since you might change your mind at any time. Snacks will keep your children off your back when you have road rage when you have children.

Follow these simple steps to wash your baby or child’s car seat

1. Get the car seat vacuumed 

In order to prevent the mess from spreading throughout your vehicle, you should do this before removing the fabric covers.

2. Take off the fabric covers

Whenever possible, try to reinstall the car seat without taking it out of the vehicle, since reinstalling it incorrectly can result in many safety issues. 

You may wish to refer to your instruction manual for specific instructions on how to remove the covers. Take photos while you work so you can reference the appearance as you go. You may forget exactly where each piece of fabric goes once you have washed and dried the fabric covers.

The polystyrene foam component of some car seats is a choice tip. You will need to replace the whole unit if you can see that it has been damaged as a result of normal wear and tear.

3. Fabric covers need to be cleaned

Some car seat covers can be washed in a washing machine, but others must be hand-washed, so make sure to check the manual for detailed instructions. In addition, you should check if any inserts need to be removed before washing. 

Avoid damaging your fabric by using mild detergents (don’t use bleach) and following the temperature guidelines.

Covers can be tumble dried according to some manufacturers, otherwise, they should be air dried.

4. Ensure that the harnesses and straps are clean

Wash the spot with warm water and a non-abrasive cloth. In case of a collision, you might not be able to use them effectively if you wash them in the washing machine.

5. Buckles should be clean

Some manufacturers suggest using soap to spot clean buckles, but it is usually best to use warm water.

6. Plastic frame needs to be cleaned

Water, mild soap, and a damp cloth should be used to wipe it down. Clean, and dampen the cloth to remove any soap residue.

7. The car seat should be reassembled

Putting everything back together can be done once everything is clean and dry. If you took any photos or read the instruction manual, refer to them. 

Using an authorized fitter is recommended if you are not confident about reinstalling the car seat. It is important that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions and pay attention to details if you plan to do it yourself.

Do you have any recommendations for Baby Car seat cleaning?

The best way to clean surfaces is with mild detergent, rather than bleach or other strong chemicals, which can damage or weaken some surfaces. Any abrasive material, such as steel wool, should also be avoided when cleaning the seat. 

Do not use harsh chemicals

According to CHOICE household goods expert Kim Gilmour, the best car seat covers can be easily wiped down for cleaning or removed without removing the entire seat. 

Always follow the directions of the manufacturer when cleaning, as harsh chemicals may affect things such as flame retardant properties in the material.

Clean your car seat with these tips

Don’t want to clean your house all the time? We asked Choice parents for their advice on how to prevent messy car seats. 

Cloth nappies made of Terry

Carsickness has been a major problem for us. Rather than using these nappies as nappies after our twins were born, we have been using them as general-purpose cloths for cleaning up after kids.

On car trips, we still pack a couple and lay them over the kids’ laps or keep them handy. The crumbs can be caught, too, since they’re a convenient size. It’s great for cleaning up vomit because they’re super absorbent.

Spew bags

In my glove box, I keep spewing bags I purchase at the chemist. Once you notice vomiting, act immediately. In my new car, there is a ‘no food’ rule. Food that is easy to clean can sometimes break it. Yogurt is forbidden!”

Clean up after them

Any food mess older kids make should be cleaned up by them. Make them responsible for emptying the bin and washing used clothes and keep wipes and bin bags in the back seat for wiping sticky hands and wrappers.

Yogurt is no longer available

If you try to fight the mess, you will lose. To prevent rats from moving in, I just cleaned and vacuumed behind them once a month to give into the daily mess. The day after my son vomited up yoghurt on the way back from the shops, I swear off yogurt as well. There are still phantom smells even after cleaning it so many times.

Food that doesn’t crumble

Car seats should only be used for dry, non-crumbly food. Keeping a sick bag close at hand is always a good idea!

It’s impossible to live without Nilodor

When it comes to getting rid of bad odors, my number one must-have is Nilodor (a concentrated deodorizer). In truth, I found it too much hassle to give kids snacks in plastic caddies and containers, a popular internet hack. As far as yogurt and sultanas are concerned, I stick to my rule of no yogurt and no sultanas. Anything else I can handle, I can handle pretty well.

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