How to Clean and Sanitize Children’s Car Seats

Let’s face it – as much as we love them, kids leave messes almost everywhere they go. This includes in their car seats. Maybe your child’s sippy cup leaked juice last week, and the sticky remnants are now capturing dust and dirt.

Perhaps leftovers from your child’s afternoon snacks linger in the crevices of the car seat, or your child brought mud, finger paint or something else into the car.

Of course, there are also diaper leaks, spit-up and more to contend with. Bacteria, mold and other yucky things can grow on the car seat as well as underneath the cushion if you don’t clean it regularly. Let’s take a closer look at how to clean a car seat.

When and How Often Should You Clean a Car Seat?

At minimum, you should vacuum the car seat on a weekly basis. If your child had a snack in it and you spot crumbs, don’t let the crumbs sit and get ground into the fabric.

Investing in a car vacuum makes it far easier and more convenient to keep the car seat clean. If you notice a spot or stain, treat it right away. Avoid letting it sit until your next cleaning session.

In addition to vacuuming on a weekly basis, deep clean the car seat every few months. This involves laundering the cover and cleaning all of the straps, latches and crevices by hand.

Step By Step Cleaning Guide

Keep your child’s car seat clean, safe, and fresh with this simple, no-fuss guide.

Read Instructions First

Before cleaning your car seat, read the care instructions carefully. Pay attention to disassembly and reassembly instructions. Also, only use the cleaning supplies and products recommended.

Gather Your Supplies

Pull together all of the cleaning supplies you need. These include a clean towel, a bucket with warm water, a toothbrush and cotton swabs. Use baby shampoo or a natural cleaning product. Avoid using bleach or other harsh chemicals that can be harmful to your child.

Remove and Disassemble the Seat

Remove the car seat from the vehicle. Disassemble the cover per the care instructions.

Machine Wash the Cover (If Applicable)

If the cover is machine washable, shake off the crumbs. Then, toss it in the washing machine. While covers are typically machine washable, they are not usually safe to dry in a dryer.

Hand Wash Non-Machine Safe Covers

If the cover isn’t machine washable, use a clean rag and your choice of cleaning solution to gently wipe down the cover. Avoid getting it too wet as colors may bleed or the fabric may be damaged. Consider lightly spritzing the cleaning product on the material rather than saturating the cleaning rag.

Pre-Treat Stains

If the car seat is stained, pre-treat the stains. Some pre-treatment products require an hour or longer to work.

Give yourself enough time to complete the cleaning process before your next outing.

Clean Straps and Buckles Separately

Then, use a toothbrush, water and your choice of safe cleaning products to clean the straps and buckles. These should not be washed in the machine. Avoid oversaturating them.

If possible, hang them up to air dry. Use the rag to wipe down plastic components. To reach small crevices, use a toothbrush. Ensure that all of the parts are completely dry before re-assembling it.

How to Sanitize Without Damaging the Car Seat

While bleach is a go-to cleaning agent for sanitization, it should never be used on a child’s car seat.

Tips to Keep Car Seats Clean Longer

Car seats are expensive, so you understandably want to make yours last.

Keeping it clean plays a key role in car seat longevity. What can you do to keep the car seat clean longer?

• Apply a child-safe fabric protection product after cleaning the car seat.
• Keep a hand-held auto vacuum in your car.
• Avoid letting your child eat or drink in the car seat.
• Take off your child’s shoes before placing him or her in the car seat.
• Keep your entire car cleaner. After all, dirt spreads throughout the vehicle.

With kids in your house, the car seat is only of the many messes you’ll contend with. Unfortunately, it’s hard to stay on top of housecleaning as a busy parent. With professional cleaning services from our experts at Cleanzen, you can lighten your load. Schedule housecleaning service with us today.