So your child made a mess of their car seat. What do you do?
(We’re assuming you DON’T have a car seat cover like the NIKO. We’re sad for you, but we’ve been there.)
First things first—check the manual. They usually have cleaning tips, including some surprising dos and don'ts. If you’ve lost it, or it’s not super helpful, we've got you covered:
It’s messy:
The vacuum is your friend. If it has one of those handy attachments that allows you to really get into the nooks and crannies, that’s even better.
It’s still messy:
If you can get the fabric part off the frame (and you’re confident you can get it back on), do so carefully. Pay attention to how the cushions, straps, and metal parts clips attach for when it’s time to reassemble!
Avoid cleaners made with bleach, or any other harsh chemicals. In addition to being awful for your child’s skin, a lot of these chemicals react badly with the synthetic materials in the car seat. You don’t want your cleaners to damage the car seat’s materials, which can reduce the effectiveness! The fabric, cushioning, and straps are more delicate than they seem.
Gentle cleaners include baby shampoo, gentle laundry detergents, and dish soaps. If the fabric can be removed from the car seat, soak it in a solution of the soap and water, then rinse. Lay it out to dry (the dryer’s heat can shrink the material, and then you won’t be able to fit it back on the car seat!).
You can use a bristle brush or an old toothbrush dipped in the shampoo/water mixture and scrub, but be gentle on the fabric sections.
It’s still really messy:
If the manual says it’s okay, you can put the fabric in the washing machine. But keep the temperature cold, and don’t put the parts in the dryer.
Do not soak the straps—if the fibers that sew them together get too wet, they are more likely to break. Use the shampoo and water mixture sparingly and let them air dry.
Don’t soak the buckles, since you don’t want them to rust! Avoid products like WD40 or any lubricants—the buckles don’t work if they’re too slippery. Just wipe them with a damp rag.
Water hoses are okay, but pressure cleaners can damage your car seat. Also, they can force water into metal areas that should stay dry, causing them to rust.
I’ve tried everything and it’s still too messy:
If all that doesn’t work, you may have to toss the seat and get a new one.
Next time, be sure to use a car seat cover and save yourself all of the hassle.