How to Clean a Car Seat

It’s unavoidable: Your car seat is going to get messy. Pulverized crumbs, sand from a trip to the beach, spit-up, muddy footprints—your car seat is a magnet for every kind of kiddo gunk and germ. At some point, you’re going to need to roll up your sleeves and do a deep clean.

Before you get started, keep in mind that your car seat is primarily a child safety device, so it’s important to understand how to clean a car seat properly. Our car seat cleaning guide will help you return your car seat to its former glory without damaging it in the process.

What Tools Will You Need?

Your car seat manual. Different brands of car seats require different cleaning methods; for example, some can be machine washed and some cannot. Before picking up that scrub brush, check your instruction manual for guidelines. And if it still seems unclear (or you’ve misplaced your manual), check the manufacturer’s website or give their customer service team a call.
A vacuum. Use your vacuum’s crevice attachment to suck up all the crumbs hiding in seams and hard-to-reach spots.
A toothbrush or soft-bristle brush. Some stains, like dried on spit up or sunscreen, will require some elbow grease.
A clean rag and a bucket of water. There are certain car seat parts, like the harness and straps, that should only be wiped down with water.

How Long Will It Take to Deep Clean a Car Seat?

For a proper deep clean, plan on setting aside at least an hour, and don’t forget to factor in drying time (especially for car seat covers that need to be air-dried). You’ll be removing the entire seat from the car, as well as taking off the cover and straps, which can be time consuming.

If you are using a steam cleaner or a hot water extraction method, it may take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours to deep clean a car seat. This is because these methods require time for the cleaning solution to penetrate the fibers of the car seat and then for the machine to effectively remove the dirt and grime.

If you are using a spray-on cleaner and a cloth, the process may take 10-20 minutes per seat. This method is quicker but may not be as effective at removing deeply ingrained stains.

It’s important to note that after deep cleaning a car seat, it will need time to dry thoroughly before it can be used again. Depending on the climate and humidity, this can take anywhere from a few hours to overnight.

Are There Cleaning Products You Should Avoid?

Yes, when cleaning child car seats, there are some cleaning products you should avoid as they may be harmful to your child’s health or damage the car seat. Here are some products to avoid:

Bleach and ammonia: These products can be harsh and cause discoloration or damage to the car seat material. They can also be harmful to your child’s health.
Harsh chemicals: Products that contain harsh chemicals such as solvents, acids, or alkalis can damage the car seat material and be harmful to your child’s health.
Abrasive cleaners: Avoid using abrasive cleaners, such as scouring pads, on car seats as they can scratch or damage the material.
Vinegar and baking soda: While vinegar and baking soda are great natural cleaning agents, they can damage the car seat material or straps and be harmful to your child’s health.
Stain removers: Be careful when using stain removers, as some can discolor or damage the car seat material. Always test the product on a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure that it doesn’t cause any damage or discoloration.

It’s important to use cleaning products that are safe for your child and specifically designed for cleaning child car seats. Always read the labels carefully and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If you’re unsure about a product’s safety, consult the car seat manufacturer or a certified car seat technician.

Can Cleaning Your Car Seat Create Any Safety Concerns?

Cleaning your child’s car seat is important to maintain its condition and ensure your child’s safety, but it’s important to do it correctly to avoid any safety concerns. Here are some things to keep in mind when cleaning your child’s car seat:

Disassembling and Reassembling the Car Seat: When cleaning your child’s car seat, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for disassembling and reassembling it. Not doing so could affect the car seat’s structural integrity, compromising its ability to protect your child in the event of an accident.
Chemical Exposure: Some cleaning products contain chemicals that can be harmful to your child’s health. Always use cleaning products that are safe for your child and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Damage to the Car Seat: Using the wrong cleaning products or cleaning methods can damage the car seat material, affecting its ability to protect your child in the event of an accident. Always use cleaning products and methods that are safe for the car seat.
Incorrect Installation: After cleaning the car seat, make sure you reinstall it correctly. An incorrectly installed car seat can compromise your child’s safety in the event of an accident. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installing the car seat.
Drying Time: After cleaning the car seat, make sure it’s completely dry before using it again. A damp car seat can compromise your child’s safety and cause mold or mildew to grow, which can be harmful to your child’s health.

By following the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and maintaining your child’s car seat, you can ensure that it remains safe and effective at protecting your child in the event of an accident.

How to Clean Your Car Seat

Remove your car seat from the car to a firm flat surface, and if you’re able to clean outside, all the better. You could probably manage some spot cleaning while your seat is still installed, but a deep thorough cleaning is more easily done outside the cramped interior of your car.
Vacuum first, while the cover is still on the seat (keep it handy—you’ll use it again later).
Spot clean stains on the cover with a toothbrush and warm water, paying special attention to dried-on stains.
Take a picture of how the shoulder straps are connected on the back of your car seat before removing the cover.
Remove the car seat cover and wash according to your manufacturer’s instructions. Most covers are machine-washable, but pay attention to temperature and detergent recommendations—some detergents can react with flame retardant chemicals.
Air dry the cover on a flat surface or drying rack. If you need to help the drying process along, you can place your cover in front of a fan or in direct sunlight (which will also help eliminate bacteria). Don’t apply direct heat to the cover, which can cause shrinkage and damage the fabric. Make sure your cover is completely dry before putting it back on to avoid trapping moisture in the car seat.
Remove the shoulder straps and wipe down with a damp cloth. If you’re dealing with some serious gunk, take a toothbrush to the straps, but avoid submerging them in water or using a household cleaning product which could impact their integrity in the event of a collision. If your straps are so messy you can’t get them fully clean, you can purchase new straps directly from your car seat manufacturer.
Vacuum the car seat frame and wipe it down with a damp cloth. Again, you’ll want to avoid getting anything too wet which could cause important labels (with expiration dates and info used in product recalls) to peel off.
Now you’re ready to reassemble your car seat. Ensure there are no twists in your shoulder straps, and if your seat has more than one position for the crotch strap, confirm that it’s positioned correctly for your child’s weight and height. Once the cover is back on, go ahead and have your child sit in the seat to make sure the shoulder straps are at the right height (straps should be at or below the shoulder for rear-facing and at or above the shoulder for forward-facing).

Car Seat Cleaning Tips & Tricks

While the cover is off, go ahead and check your car seat’s expiration date. You never want to continue to use a seat past its expiration date—years of use can affect the integrity of its parts and materials, and ultimately impact how safe it will be in an accident.
To minimize future mess, make sure to keep baby wipes handy for quick clean-ups and use leakproof water bottles and spill-proof snack cups. We love the Mushie Snack Cup (dishwasher safe!) and Bumkins Superbibs for minimizing car seat crumbs.
We advise using caution when considering ‘universal’ car seat mats. Third party or ‘aftermarket’ accessories have not been crash tested and may affect the performance of your car seat in a collision.
Consider this your choking hazards reminder: While driving, you won’t be able to supervise your child snacking in the back. Kids Eat in Color has an amazing breakdown of the top choking hazards for children under 4, and some guidance for modifying foods to help prevent choking.

Finding What’s Right for You

Albee Baby is the oldest family-owned specialty baby shop in the US, and we pride ourselves on providing our customers with the best assortment of baby products anywhere, at fair prices, always. We’re committed to being an inclusive resource for parents, and hope you’re feeling empowered to find the right car seat for your family. Still have questions? Feel free to contact our baby gear experts at 877.692.5233 or by email at [email protected].