Top tips on how to clean a Baby Stroller. Here we take a look at the tools, strategies, and steps that you should take to clean a dirty stroller. Time to make a pit stop for a deep cleaning.
Baby strollers are useful baby equipment but it also requires proper maintenance for smooth functioning and also to make it look clean and new. Most parents assume their your baby carriage is clean but when you actually step out into the light of day, you will discover that the stroller really needs cleaning.
Since all strollers are used outdoors, and used by babies, its obvious for them to get dirty, kids eat in them, sleep in them, soil their diapers in them, spilled milk, cookie crumbs, mashed fruit, leaky diapers can stain the fabric and also get into the corners and crevices of your baby’s stroller.
Stroller maintenance is about keeping your stroller in great shape, both in terms of functionality and looks. It means fixing the tires as and when needed (especially for joggers) and cleaning it regularly so that it looks nice.
Thankfully, most strollers nowadays come equipped with washable fabric, removable machine-washable layers. So keeping a stroller clean is not as difficult as it seems.
Here we take a look at how to clean a stroller; you will also find useful tips to maintain a stroller; learn how to do basic cleaning and maintenance of your stroller.
Here are signs that will tell you’re its time to clean, and you’re not cleaning your baby’s stroller enough.
Once these signs are clearly visible, you must take time to clean your stroller!
Baby Stroller are meant to be used outdoors, and its the place where you feed your baby (when outdoors).
Over time, its dirt and crumbs (from the snacks) get accumulated in the stroller (which is not visible from a distance). Most medical studies suggest that strollers need to be cleaned and disinfect every week, to ensure good health of your child.
Regular cleaning also helps to keep your baby stroller look spic-and-span.
So in case you had missed out on this aspect, read these suggestions on how to clean your stroller.
Here are a few key things to look for that will help you reduce the time spent on cleaning the stroller.
Here are the tools that will help you do the cleaning:
To prevent spills from spreading all over, it’s best to clean them up immediately.
For wet messes (yogurt, baby food, apple sauce), use a plastic knife or spoon to remove (scoop up) the bulk of the spill. Its better at cleaning than trying to wipe with paper towels, which can spread the spill into the fabric of your stroller.
Its better to use each of the tools (from the cleaning kit) one at a time on the entire stroller, and also avoid cleaning one section at a time. The only exception being the wheels, which you can do towards the end.
Remove Crumbs With a Hand Vac
You may use a dust brush as well, but a hand vacuum (such as this one) is easier to use and effective at sucking up all the miscellaneous crumbs from the stroller; you can even use the upholstery attachment of a full-size vacuum.
Detach the Removable Parts
You should remove & check all the detachable parts (including accessories). There are lots of removable parts, fabric, accessories on every stroller. You should also clean the plastic parts, including the stroller accessories.
Its easier to clean parts like storage trays, cup holders, and even fabric seats when removed from the frame of the stroller.
Check the manual to see which, if any, parts can be put in a washing machine or dishwasher. That’s much easier than cleaning them by hand. If you’re not good at DIY stuff, you can take photos of all the things that you remove, in the right sequence, so that you know how to put them back (re-attach) later.
Use the Toothbrush to Get into Crevices
Once the stroller is free of bigger sized crumbs, its time to use a toothbrush dipped in warm, soapy water to scrub any caked-on messy substance from the various corners of the fabric seats. A toothbrush also works great for spot cleaning any stains.
For fine cracks and creases, like those in the harness buckle, Wooden grilling skewers work better. The points easily get into those tight spots, and skewers are also stronger than toothpicks.
Scrub Fabric With a Terry-Cloth Towel
What if the fabric seat cannot be removed from the stroller? In that case use a terry-cloth towels dipped in warm water with mild soap to scrub the stroller down (beginning at the top of the stroller), wiping away all the debris and gunk.
Use a soap that is recommended by the manufacturer in the manual or that is mentioned on the tag under the fabric seat. If there is no recommendation, use mild dish soap or laundry detergent. Make sure you test the soap first (before beginning the cleaning) on some inconspicuous spot to make sure it doesn’t stain the fabric.
Related: Find more useful information on how to clean stroller fabric and how to use Stain removal kits.
Clean and Lubricate the Wheels
Last is to clean the plastic or rubber wheels. Even if your stroller is quite new, depending on the terrain you use, the wheels of your stroller are likely to get dirty very frequently, which you will need to clean regularly.
Most of the time, you will find them dirtier than the rest of the stroller, obviously because they come in contact with the ground. And you don’t want that dirt coming in contact with the other parts of the stroller, especially where your child sits.
Here is how to clean your dirty stroller wheels.
Let the wheels fully dry. Check if the manual recommends periodically lubricating the wheel bearings. Depending on that, you may need to use the recommended lubricant, or spray liquid lubricant at the point where the wheel attaches to the frame.
Besides washing, you also should check if the wheels are working fine.
Some parents wipe the wheels of the stroller with paper towels, but it’s not completely effective as it leaves a bit of mud inside the door and on the carpet. Besides, if you have a little baby who plays on the same carpet, you better ensure the stroller wheels are clean before it enters the house.
Here are some options (although most of it is time-consuming):
Feel too lazy to learn the wheels of the stroller? Use stroller wheel covers instead.
The following sections go into the detail of some of the steps mentioned above.
Vacuum the Material (Fabric) Used on the Stroller
You will need to put that vacuum cleaner to use.
Vacuum the Seat and Back Support
Remove the Material/Fabric of the Stroller (If Possible)
For better results, remove the fabric from the frame.
If the fabric Cannot be Removed, Clean the stroller Outside
Take it out of the house.
Drying the Stroller
Here’s how to clean a compact, umbrella stroller in a bath-tub. If you’re kind of a clean freak, you will love this method which will make your stroller clean and look like new again. By cleaning it every few months, the stroller looks new.
Here are the steps:
Now your stroller should be as good as new.
A clean stroller is safe to use for the child, it gives a fresh smell, and looks new in appearance.
More Useful Tips
This is what it actually takes to clean a stroller.
The beauty of a BOB stroller is that you can journey off the beaten path with your family. So whether trekking to the top of a mountain, hitting up a cool outdoor festival, or simply strolling through the park – your BOB is bound to get a bit dirty!
But that’s okay, BOB strollers are designed with a stain-resistant fabric to make clean-up as simple as possible. Check out these handy tips for keeping your BOB fresh, clean and in tip-top shape.
Cleaning the Seat
Cleaning the Frame
Cleaning the Fabric
According to the BOB stroller user manual, all of the fabric stroller parts are washable. To clean the fabric, remove any solid debris first. Then, wet a sponge, and add some mild soap to it. Gently scrub the soiled areas with the sponge until the fabric appears clean. Rinse the sponge, and wipe away any leftover soap. Allow the fabric to air dry.
Cleaning Plastic and Metal Parts
The plastic and metal parts of a BOB stroller are also washable. First, brush off any dry, solid debris from the BOB stroller accessories, handles, wheels, and frame using a dry scrub brush or dry cloth. Use a damp cleaning cloth or sponge to wipe down areas with visible dirt and grime. The wheels can be sprayed off with a water hose, but take caution not to get the rest of the BOB stroller wet. Regularly wash the snack or accessory tray with antibacterial detergent or bleach to sterilize it.
Plastic and Metal Cleaning Precautions
Avoid using any corrosive cleaning agents on the plastic parts. This could damage the stroller, according to the BOB stroller user manual. Another thing parents should avoid is getting soap or other cleaning agents on or around the metal bolts and screws on the frame. If this should happen, dry the area immediately.
Source:
Dirt from the sidewalk, spilled food and drinks, and all the other messes from daily life with a baby or small child can end up on your stroller. Maclaren strollers are made with a rugged fabric that allows you to wash it yourself with little chance of damaging it. Although designs vary, most strollers feature a fabric seat and canopy, with a metal frame and plastic components. Although you can vacuum out the seat for a quick clean, periodic deep cleaning of the fabric keeps it like new. The frame and plastic components require daily or weekly cleaning, depending on dirt buildup and frequency of use.
Cleaning Preparation
Most Maclaren strollers feature removable seat covers. Attachment methods vary, but removal begins with detaching the straps from the rear of the stroller frame. The strap attachment ends — which on most models are made of plastic — snap into the frame. Sliding a slotted screwdriver between the attachment end and the stroller frame unsnaps it so you can rotate it and slide it through the slot in the frame. After removing the straps, unsnap the edges of the seat cover from the side arms of the stroller frame (if necessary for your model) and lift off the seat cover. Depending on the model, you can remove the entire seat or just the seat pad. Remove the canopy by either unscrewing it from the frame or by opening the attachment clasps, depending on the model of stroller. Detach any plastic trays attached to the stroller for separate washing.
Seats, Fabric and Canopies
Washing and drying the fabric by hand extends its life and prevents shrinkage. Fill the sink with lukewarm water and add a mild detergent. Shake out or vacuum up loose dirt before submerging the fabric. Scrubbing with a mildly abrasive cloth or brush removes stains. Fabric that isn’t removable must be dampened and washed on the frame using gentle scrubbing. Although the canopy is removable, its internal frame isn’t, so it requires washing on the frame with a damp sponge. After washing, rinse away detergent with clear water and hang any removable fabrics up to dry. Fabric must dry completely before you reattach it to the frame. Otherwise the moisture may produce mildew. Make sure the seat strap attachment ends lock securely in place with an audible click before placing your child in the stroller.
Stroller Frame
Salt can cause rust and compromise the integrity of the frame. Rinsing the frame with clear water after using it in snow, near salt water, or in any other conditions that can cause salt buildup protects it against rust. For normal cleaning, use a damp cloth or an all-purpose cleaner to remove dirt, mud and food from the frame and wheels. Avoid abrasive cleaners, stiff brushes or scouring pads. You can wipe down the frame with mild disinfectant after cleaning.
Plastic Pieces
Maclaren strollers have various plastic clips that hold the seat and canopy in place, and some models have plastic trays, cup holders and other accessories. Wash these components in hot water as you would any dish, using a liquid dish soap and a mildly abrasive dish sponge or cloth. The plastic components require rinsing after washing, and then you can air dry or wipe them dry as desired. You can also quickly clean these components on the stroller after each use by wiping them down with an all-purpose cleaner and a disinfectant.
Source: howtoadult.com
Here in the video, you will see how acid grease is used to remove rust, and how different sorts of metal will react to it. It also talks about other useful products that you can use for cleaning the chassis of your stroller.
In general, you should stay away from harsh household cleaners when it comes to cleaning your stroller. Also, you should never use bleach to clean any parts of the stroller.
Watch: How to Clean a Stroller | Consumer Reports
Useful Links:
Cleaning your stroller is a great time to inspect it and perform regular maintenance for optimum performance. There are a few things you should keep an eye out for while looking at your stroller:
In case you do not have the time or inclination to clean your stroller, you can opt for stroller cleaning and repair services.
Its only when you get down to clean your baby stroller, you realize how much dirt and crumbs were hidden in your baby stroller. So do make it a point to regularly clean (and even disinfect) your stroller so that your baby stays away from all the germs. It also gives you the opportunity to take a closer look at your stroller, in case certain parts have worn out (and in the process is compromising the safety) and needs to be replaced. This way you will have peace of mind and your child will continue enjoying the stroller.
StrollerBoards is a family managed website with me (Ben) and my wife doing most of the work. We are proud parents of two wonderful kids and love reviewing baby travel gear. We have a firm but friendly “democratic parenting” style and offer several practical solutions backed by extensive research. Our own experience with raising two children prompted us to share our knowledge. Read more.
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If your pram gets dirty, you easily wash it with a washcloth and mild soap. The hard surface can be cleaned using a wet cloth or even a disinfectant wipe. You can even use a toothbrush or any gentle scrubber to clean heavily soiled spots.