Car seats go through a lot – from crushed crackers, spilt milk, sand and the occasional nappy blowout. While we can’t prevent the mess, we can help you keep your child’s car seat clean, safe, and fresh.
This guide outlines how to properly clean your car seat while protecting its materials, safety features, and warranty.
Before You Start: A Few Quick Tips
- Avoid food and drink in the car seat when possible. Realistically, that’s not always doable, so regular cleaning is key.
- We recommend a full clean once a month. This prevents mould, staining, odours, and build-up that could interfere with the seat’s performance.
- Always check your car seat manual. Every model has specific cleaning instructions that must be followed to maintain safety and warranty.
Prep the Seat
- Remove loose debris. Shake out crumbs first, then vacuum to remove anything dry.
- Take photos before disassembly. This helps make reassembly easier, trust us, future-you will be grateful!
- Keep the area clear. Avoid leaving food or objects near the seat, they can become dangerous projectiles in a crash.
Remove & Clean the Covers
- Check your manual first. Some covers can go in the washing machine, while others must be hand washed.
- Use mild detergent or Dew Car Seat Cleaner only. Harsh chemicals like bleach can damage materials and affect flame-retardant properties.
- Don’t tumble dry unless specified. We recommend air drying in the sun, which also helps eliminate odours naturally.
- Never submerge parts unless the manual says it’s okay.
Clean the Harness & Straps
- Harnesses must be hand-cleaned. Use warm water and a soft, non-abrasive cloth to spot clean only.
- Never machine wash or soak. Doing so can weaken the straps and reduce their effectiveness in a crash.
- Sticky fingers happen! Gently wipe away any mess using manual-approved methods.
Buckle & Clip Cleaning
- Use warm water only. Avoid soap or sprays on the crotch buckle and chest clip.
- Remove trapped crumbs carefully. Use a soft toothbrush, cotton buds or toothpicks to get into crevices.
- Don’t lubricate or oil any buckle parts. This can interfere with their locking mechanism.
Clean the Shell
- Wipe down with mild soap and water.
- Use a soft, damp cloth to rinse off residue.
- Get into tight spots with cotton buds, toothbrushes, or toothpicks for a thorough clean.
Reassemble with Confidence
- Refer to the photos you took before disassembly.
- If you’re stuck, pop into your local Baby On The Move store, one of our trained Car Seat Technicians can help you reassemble and reinstall the seat correctly. (Fees apply. Please contact your local store for availability.)
Want Us to Clean It For You?
If the mess feels too much or you’d just rather not deal with it, we can take care of the full clean for you.
- Professional car seat cleaning available
- Reassembly and reinstallation service (Fees apply. Please check with your local store.)
Tips to Keep the Car Seat Cleaner for Longer
- Use cloth nappies or muslins overlaps during snack time or to catch spills.
- Choose car-friendly snacks. Dry, non-crumbly foods are easier to manage than yoghurts or juice.
- Keep brown paper bags in the car for rubbish, spills, or even emergency vomit catchers!
- Freshen up with care. Use an eco-friendly deodoriser on the car’s carpet, but never on the car seat itself.
- Watch out for sand and salt water. After beach trips, vacuum your car seat and buggy. Sand can jam seat mechanisms and reduce function.
Remember: Safety First
A clean car seat isn’t just about hygiene, it’s about safety. Following your car seat’s care instructions keeps it in top condition and ensures it performs properly when you need it most.
