How To Clean an Infant Car Seat

When was the last time you gave your baby’s car seat a deep clean? 

As car detailing professionals, we see infant car seats not being cleaned for months! 

And, when we talk to new parents and car owners about the cleaning process of their infant’s car seat, many of them admit that they are unsure how to clean their child’s car seat properly. 

So, if you are a new parent who owns a car, here’s our helpful guide on cleaning an infant car seat.

Why Clean Baby Car Seats?

Baby car seats are made from soft materials like high-density sponges, and foams. While these kind of materials are comfortable and breathable for babies, they also tend to absorb moisture quickly. This makes them one of the dirtiest parts of your car.

When your baby spills any food or drink on their seat, it gets absorbed deep into the seat, creating the perfect environment for mold growth. Mold can create countless health risks for your baby, ranging from chronic respiratory issues such as asthma to allergies. 

New parents can relate to how it exactly feels to find such messes in their car after every trip with their baby.

Types of Stain in Baby Car Seats

Understanding the different types of stains in baby seats can help you choose the best cleaning method. These are some of the most common kinds of stains found in child’s car seats:

• Food Stains
• Greasy Stains 
  •  Oils, Lotions, Makeup
• Non-Greasy Stains
  • Juice, coffee, dirt
• Bodily Fluid Stains
  • Urine
  • Feces
  • Vomit
    

How to Clean Stains from an Infant Car Seat

Every baby car seat is unique. To clean the seat without damaging anything, it is essential to first read the seat’s manual for any specific cleaning instructions. If you lost the baby car seat manual, you can find it online by searching for the brand and model of the seat.

Note: Soaking or machine-cleaning a baby car seat straps can damage and weaken the fibers. So, laundering or cleaning the straps with heavy chemicals should be avoided.

1. Food Spills

It is best to act quickly in case of any kind of spills. While dry spills can wait longer, liquid or moist spills rapidly get absorbed into the seat.

To prevent any permanent stains,

• The first step is to use any rags or baby wipes to get as much of the mess off as possible. 
• Next, gently blot the area with a clean dry cloth to soak up the remaining moisture. Make sure that you don’t rub the affected area as it can push the spill deeper into the fabric. 
• Finish by drying the area thoroughly with a microfiber cloth to prevent any lingering moisture from setting into the fabric or causing odors.

2. Non-Greasy Stains

For non-greasy stains like juice or dirt,

• Gently scrub the affected area with a damp towel and a mild soap solution. It is important not to soak the seat directly since we don’t want excess moisture in the fabric. 
• Rinse the area with a damp clean towel to get rid of excess cleaners and dry the seat under sunlight.

3. Greasy Stains

To remove greasy stains from baby car seats,

• Use a towel to blot the grease. 
• Sprinkle baking soda on the stain and let it sit for 10-15 minutes for more absorption.
• Using a vacuum, clean the baking soda off.  
• Apply dish soap with warm water on a cloth, and gently rub the seat with it.
• Rinse the area with a damp towel and let it dry in the sunlight. 

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4. Food Stains

• Use a mild detergent, a fabric cleaner, or an enzyme-based cleaner to clean the food stains. 
• Take the padding off and rub it in with a towel or a brush, or wash the padding in a washer using cold water on the delicate setting if the manual allows. If possible, dry under proper sunlight.

Steaming the cover and the plastic shell of the seat next eliminates any bacteria that might be left. After you are done cleaning, scrub the area with a damp cloth to get rid of any cleaning solution residue.

Lastly, drying the baby car seat is ideally done with direct sunlight. If that is not an option, put the seat cover in a room with good air circulation or speed up the process by applying heat with a hair dryer on a low, cool setting. 

5. Bodily Fluid Stains

For stains caused by bodily fluids such as urine, feces, or vomit, a different approach is needed to remove odors and prevent bacteria.

Removing Urine From Baby Car Seats

Start by removing the seat cover and use a towel or a rag to absorb as much of the urine in the seat as possible. Scrubbing should be avoided since it can push urine deeper into the seat. 

Apply an enzyme cleaner and let it sit for 10-15 minutes.

Finally, rinse the area by gently scrubbing it with a damp towel and allow the seat to dry in sunlight.

Removing Feces From Baby Car Seats

For feces, you want to remove solids first without spreading them further. Remove the seat cover and pre-treat it with a mild soap solution rubbed gently into the stain area with a towel.

Continue applying an enzyme cleaner and letting it sit for 10-15 minutes.

Lastly, rinse the area by gently scrubbing it with a damp towel and dry it with sunlight.

Removing Vomit From Baby Car Seats

If vomit is not cleaned promptly, it can affect the smell of the entire car and even cause potential damage to the seat materials.

Start by removing the solids and taking off the seat cover for easier cleaning. First, neutralize the acidity by sprinkling baking soda onto the stains and letting it sit for 5-10 minutes. Next, use a vinegar solution of equal parts white vinegar and water to remove any odor and help disinfect. Apply an enzyme cleaner, leave it for 10-15 minutes, and blot with a towel. 

Lastly, rinse with a damp towel and dry it under proper sunlight.

An optional step to ensure the cleanliness of your baby’s seat is to use baby-safe disinfectant. But first, test this on a small and unnoticeable part of the fabric to see if it causes any damage.

For more detailed instructions, check out our blog on how to clean puke from your car.

Recommended Baby Car Seat Cleaning Products

You can always use mild products like baby shampoo to clean the baby car seats, however, if you want a dedicated product, here are some of our top choices: 

Dapple Baby - All-Purpose Cleaning Spray

Attitude Toys and Surface Cleaner

Clek Fabric Cleaning Plus Stain Remover Kit

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Tips For Maintaining a Clean Baby Car Seat

1. Spot Clean Regularly: Wipe up spills and food crumbs as soon as they happen to prevent stains and odors from setting in.
2. Use a Car Seat Cover: Invest in high-quality removable car seat covers to make the cleaning process easier. 
3. Vacuum Weekly: Use a regular vacuum to remove crumbs and debris from the seats, especially from the hard-to-reach areas. 

Conclusion

With regular cleaning you can keep your baby’s seat fresh and safe from harmful bacteria and allergens. Whether it’s an occasional deep clean or just tackling a quick spill, you now have the exact idea of cleaning a baby car seat.

And if you are short on time or not sure about cleaning your infant’s car seat by yourself, a professional car detailing service can be your go-to solution.

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New Parents Also Ask

Can I Wash The Baby Car Seat?

Yes, you can wash the baby's car seat but it’s important to do it in the right way to maintain safety and quality. The key point in cleaning a baby’s car seat is to avoid using harsh chemicals or soaking the seat’s components as this can degrade the materials and affect the seat’s protective layer. 

Can You Pressure Wash a Baby Car Seat?

No, pressure washing a baby car seat is not recommended. The high-pressure water from a hose can damage the fabric and structural components of the seat which compromises safety. 

You can use gentle methods like hand-washing or spot-cleaning to keep the baby seat in good condition.