As a mom or a dad, cleaning baby items is an unescapable chore. There are just so many things to maintain hygiene to ensure your little one has clean items to sleep, play and sit in, and this includes your baby’s stroller.
Generally, you should be cleaning your child’s stroller every month if you bring your child out for strolls rather frequently. And it is important to wash the stroller properly, especially if you have brought your beach stroller for a nice beach outing with the family – imagine all the sand, sea water and dirt sticking to the wheels, leave them on for too long in that condition, and you will find yourself having to deal with rusty stroller wheels next!
How To Properly Clean Baby Stroller
Washing your baby’s stroller can be broken down into a few parts – the seat, the frame and the wheels. While most strollers are easy to wipe clean, you should keep a few tips in mind.
First, you should check for mold and mildew. If you find a moldy area, scrub it with dish soap and water and let it dry. If the mold is too big, you can use lemon juice or salt to get rid of it.
Otherwise, if you don’t really have any mold or mildew problem, the seat and fabric should be cleaned with a mild soap and water solution, similar to dealing with furniture like the sofa. Try to avoid using harsh cleaning products. They could damage the seat and the handlebars. Start by soaking the stroller’s fabric in hot, soapy water. Gently scrub away stains with a toothbrush, then rinse it off. You can also use a terry cloth to remove any crumbs and loose dirt.
Next, pay special attention to the pockets and storage baskets. After washing, wipe down these surfaces with a baby-safe wipe. After that, place it in a shaded spot and let it air dry. You can also wipe it with a soft cloth.
The wheels are the most common dirty parts of a stroller. If they’re too dirty, you can use a vacuum attachment, and also water and gentle soap to clean the tires. You can also spray the wheels with lubricant or pump them up to get rid of dirt and grime.
The hard parts of the stroller such as the stroller frame can be cleaned with disinfectant wipes. To clean the hard parts, you can use a Lysol(r) disinfecting wipe or a mild laundry detergent. It is best to clean your stroller in a sunny place and let it air-dry. After cleaning the stroller, you should put it in the sun for a few minutes to dry it thoroughly.
Maintaining Stroller Cleanliness
Once your stroller is nicely cleaned, be sure to dry them thoroughly before storing them. Also, remember to keep your stroller clean for a little longer by avoiding spills and crumbs where possible. Additionally, you can use a disinfectant spray to kill harmful bacteria on your baby’s stroller.
Prolonged exposure to water and moisture can cause mold or mildew. Therefore, you should avoid leaving your stroller in damp areas for extended periods of time. Don’t store it in a damp or musty environment. This will cause the fabric to deteriorate prematurely.
Also, if you happen to travel to the beach with your kid, be sure to give the stroller a good cleaning to prevent parts like the wheels from rusting easily.
Clean Stroller For A Healthy Stroll
It is important to maintain the stroller’s cleanliness for the sake of your baby’s health. Once a month is an ideal cleaning frequency unless you go to the beach or rough terrains pretty often, which will probably require more cleaning. It may be a dreadful chore since you have to wash the different parts of the stroller, but it is worth the effort.
When cleaning the stroller, you should always use mild detergent and once you’re done, it is best to store it in a cool, dry location. While you are at the cleaning, don’t forget to wear protective gloves!