A car seat for kids and infants is a necessary thing in attempts to protect your child against potential accidents. But when the time comes for you to use the car seat, it's inevitable that some parts will get dirty and smelly with repeated usage.
Cleaning these parts of the car seat isn't easy, but there are ways to do so if your child gets into them frequently.
How often should you clean a Graco car seat?
You should clean these things every month. Cleaning the entire car seat every couple of months is also a good idea, especially if you spend a lot of time in your vehicle.
Can you wash Graco car seat covers?
Yes, you can! It's not advisable to do so with most types of car seats, but it's possible and safe to wash them with the right kind and methods.
How do you clean my Graco infant car seat cover?
The safest way to go about washing your baby's car seat is by following manufacturer instructions on how they recommend that you do so. But if those aren't readily available, here are some steps for cleaning
- Empty the padding from its car seat and remove the harness straps. Also un-attach any buckles and un-clip latches to fully clean them as well
- Wash this after this has been done with a very mild detergent, cold water, and delicate cycle settings on your washing machine. You can also use hand soap if you don't own a washing machine. Be sure not to use bleach or fabric softener as it will damage the car seat further.
How can you clean car set straps?
Here are easy steps on how to clean car seat straps:
- Remove the car seat cushion and wash it with a mild detergent, cold water, and delicate cycle settings on your washing machine or hand soap. You can also use bleach or fabric softener as it will damage the car seat further.
- While you're at it, un-clip any buckles and un-attach latches so that you can properly clean them as well.
- Use baby wipes or wet wipes for cleaning detachable straps to remove stubborn dirt marks
How do you wash your Graco infant car seat belts?
If your infant car seat has detachable belts, do not attempt to machine wash them. Instead, wipe them with a wet towel or baby wipes and use a toothbrush for scrubbing dirty areas. You should also remove any buckles and un-attach latches for thorough cleaning of these parts.
How do you clean Graco car seat fabric?
Take off the frame of the car seat so that you can thoroughly wipe down any fabric or leather on it with a mild detergent, cold water, and delicate cycle settings on your washing machine. You can also use baby wipes instead of water if needed.
Be sure to not use bleach or fabric softener as this will damage the cover further. If there are stains that won't come out no matter what you do, then you might want to consider replacing it with a new one, preferably before using it all over again especially if this is used for very young children who get into everything.
Do not machine wash your car seat headrest, pad, or body support. These are all supposed to be hand-washed only. If you've already done so by accident, then lay them outside in the sun for a few hours before putting them back into use.
How can you cleanse it from gums and food spots?
Use a mild detergent and cold water to clean the cover. Be sure not to use bleach or fabric softener as it will damage the car seat further.
If there are stains that won't come out no matter what you do, then you might want to consider replacing it with a new one, preferably before using it all over again especially if this is used for very young children who get into everything.
To remove gum from an infant car seat cover follow these steps:
- Remove the car seat from its frame
- Use a cloth to rub a bit of ice on the gum until it hardens. Don't leave this for too long as you don't want the gum to melt again and get harder
- Scrape off any excess gum with a dull knife or toothbrush
- Cleanse this thoroughly with cold water and mild detergent. Be sure not to use bleach or fabric softener as it will damage the cover further.
How can you remove odors from the Graco car seat?
To avoid your car seat smelling like anything besides fresh air and baby powder, make sure that you purchase chemical-free and dye-free detergents instead of those with heavy perfumes when washing them.
Also be sure to regularly check for mold after every time you leave it out in the sun or in an enclosed, warm area. To keep odors at bay even more so than with the detergents, wipe your car seat cover down with essential oils on a damp cloth.
To alleviate smells caused by food stains, wash the car seat using a mix of 1 cup water, 4 teaspoons baking soda, and 2 tablespoons vinegar. You can also use essential oils instead of or in addition to the baking soda and vinegar mixture.
If there are stains that won't come out no matter what you do, then you might want to consider replacing it with a new one, preferably before using it all over again especially if this is used for very young children who get into everything.
What about cleansing poo and pee spots?
Wipe these off with a wet cloth and a bit of gentle detergent. If any stains remain, use a cloth dipped in a bit of peroxide to wipe it off before washing the car seat according to the manufacturer's instructions.
If there are stains that won't come out no matter what you do, then you might want to consider replacing it with a new one, preferably before using it all over again especially if this is used for very young children who get into everything.
How is mold prevented?
Minimize your infant from playing in places where he or she may be exposed to moisture as much as possible such as near puddles, sprinklers, and on beaches with lots of sand. When leaving the car seat out in the sun, be sure to check for any mold once you get back home.
Be sure to also wipe down your infant's car seat with disinfectant wipes every so often. After using the car seat cover on toys, wipe it clean with disinfectant wipes before putting it back on the frame of the car seat again.
What is the better way to dry an infant car seat?
Instead of using a towel or paper towels, use a dryer to thoroughly dry the cover on your infant's car seat. Dryers are not just quick but also more thorough in drying out the car seat cover. Make sure that you do not over-dry it though as this can damage some types of covers.
If there are stains that won't come out no matter what you do, then you might want to consider replacing it with a new one, preferably before using it all over again especially if this is used for very young children who get into everything.
What precautions must be taken when purchasing new covers?
Before buying another replacement cover for your Graco car seat, check its warranty first to see if defects caused by wear and tear are covered by the warranty. If it isn't, then just buy another one without worrying too much about what you'll do if the new one gets ruined.
If there are stains that won't come out no matter what you do, then you might want to consider replacing it with a new one, preferably before using it all over again especially if this is used for very young children who get into everything.
Where can you buy replacement covers?
You may go online or call Graco's customer service hotline to know where you can buy replacement car seat covers for your infant's car seat frame. They generally cost between $150 USD and $200 USD.
What isn't safe while cleaning?
Do not use bleach on your infant's car seat cover as this can cause some chemical reactions that may damage the material of the cover.
If there are stains that won't come out no matter what you do, then you might want to consider replacing it with a new one, preferably before using it all over again especially if this is used for very young children who get into everything.
How do you maintain the Graco car seat?
Keep in mind that even though washing an infant car seat is easy enough to do, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to clean them so you don't void its warranty. Also, make sure not to store it near any source of heat such as by leaving it under direct sunlight or next to fires so overheating doesn't damage it.
What is the best detergent to use?
Keep in mind that normal laundry detergents are safe enough to use as long as you rinse them completely so there won't be any leftover residues inside. You can also call Graco's customer service hotline to know what specific types of detergents they recommend for their car seat covers.
If there are stains that won't come out no matter what you do, then you might want to consider replacing it with a new one, preferably before using it all over again especially if this is used for very young children who get into everything.
FAQs
Can I use bleach on my Graco infant carriers?
Do not use bleach on your infant's car seat cover as this can cause some chemical reactions that may damage the material of the cover.
Are regular laundry detergents safe when washing Graco baby carrier covers?
Normal laundry detergents are safe enough to use as long as you rinse them completely so there won't be any leftover residues inside.
Will Graco cover replacements void their warranty?
Before buying another replacement cover for your Graco car seat, check its warranty first to see if defects caused by wear and tear are covered by the warranty. If it isn't, then just buy another one without worrying too much about what you'll do if the new one gets ruined.