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There’s one warning every parent should receive before taking their child on a road trip; sticky toddler hands can do untold damage. Unsurprisingly, car seats often bear the brunt of the blow. Car seats are supposed to keep your kids safe, but, over time, they can become a breeding ground for bacteria, grime, and gunk. If you’re staring at the mess that used to be your kid’s car seat, don’t stress. Charlie’s Soap has your back. Here’s what you need to know to get your car seat back in good shape.
Wash the Fabric Cover
Cleaning a car seat comes in two parts: the basic structure, and the fabric cover that protects it. To start, you’ll want to strip the fabric cover off of the seat structure. Many fabric covers have straps or clips that connect to the back or inside of the seat, but every car seat is different. Luckily, your car seat should come with instructions for removal, typically printing on a tag or on the siding.
Once you’ve removed the fabric cover, take a minute to shake it out or vacuum it thoroughly. This will lift the first layer of residue and dirt. If you’ve got any stains that you’re targeting, now is a good time to hit them with Charlie’s Soap Biodegradable Laundry Pre-Spray Stain Remover. Our expertly-designed pre-spray can handle kid messes of even the most epic proportions.
Before you proceed, be sure to check care instructions. Many fabric covers are hand-wash only, as the deep soak of a washing machine cycle can damage the cushioning. To hand-wash your seat cover, fill a large bucket, sink, or tub with cool water, then mix in a powerful detergent. Charlie’s Soap liquid and powder detergents are both great options. Rub the fabric cover vigorously, being sure to scrub at areas with heavy stains. After, rinse the entire fabric cover with cool water. Then, lie it flat and allow it to air-dry.
Car Seat Exterior
While the fabric cover is drying, you’ve got time to take on the car seat structure. The basic foundation of the car seat can be home to thousands of tiny bacteria and festering germs, so cleaning it will come down to quality disinfecting.
Vacuum, Vacuum, Vacuum
Your upholstery tool attachment is your best friend. Vacuuming is a convenient way to pick up any lingering debris in the small nooks and crannies beneath the fabric cover. Take your time on this step—vacuuming up the bulk of the residue will save you from unnecessary effort later on.
Disinfect
Next, hit the seat structure with a powerful cleaner. When cleaning for kids, it’s a careful balance; you need something that’s potent enough to take on serious bacteria and grime. At the same time, you don’t want harsh chemicals and additives, which can be particularly damaging to the sensitive skin of younger kids. Charlie’s Soap chlorine-free oxygen bleach strikes the perfect balance. Free of harsh chemicals, perfumes, and fillers, our ultra-concentrated oxygen bleach still packs a punch.
Simply mix half a scoop of oxygen bleach in several cups of warm water, then scrub down your car seat, top-to-bottom. For best results, pay special attention to areas with the highest potential for bacteria, like the seat and armrests.
Reassemble
Lastly, just reassemble the car seat. To prevent mold growth, be sure that both the seat structure and the fabric cover are completely dry. Follow the directions to reattach the fabric cover onto the seat, and, just like that, your car seat is ready to hit the road.
First-Class Seating for Sensitive Skin
Without damaging chemicals and unnecessary fillers, Charlie’s Soap is ultra-safe for even the most sensitive of skin. At the same time, our products target germs, bacteria, and stains, lifting them completely before rinsing away. From our all-purpose household cleaners to our stain solutions, Charlie’s Soap offers a truly green clean, for life. Explore more kid-friendly cleaning with Charlie’s Soap.
