How do you clean car seat harnesses?

zactayaus · Jul 13, 2009

Years ago before I knew better I used to throw them in the washing machine.

DS3 loves to spit up as soon as I buckle him into his seat (very rarely does it any other time). I have been wiping the straps with baby wipes but they are getting pretty bad. Can I use a wet wash cloth with some dish soap?

Please help.

oxeye · Jul 14, 2009

I just do baby wipes on the straps in DS's Keyfit every few days. He's a huge spitter. And I think tightening the straps squishes even more out.

I'm curious if I can do something a little more heavy duty too, but his straps are doing okay for now with the baby wipes.

seamonkeys · Jul 14, 2009

Ugh, I have the same problem! DD recently spit up on the straps. Even after wiping they smell like baby puke when you sniff them! I know it's not like I'm sniffing them all the time, but it annoys me that I know they smell! Last time I did a quick rinse with soapy water, wiped and then air dry - but not sure how well it helped.

Jonah Baby · Jul 14, 2009

Why can't they go in the laundry?!

Uh oh...guess I do it all wrong...

joolsplus3 · Jul 14, 2009

I dunk and swish in a cupful of water with a drop of dishsoap, then rinse under fresh water, then lay flat to dry on a towel. I've been doing it that way for years and have never seen my straps get frayed or thin or compromised, though they may have lost some of their anti-flammability chemicals (which I don't care about, since I don't flick cigarette ashes on my kids, and their clothes aren't fireproof, so if my car goes up in flames they are in trouble just from that alone, I guess). The link in my siggy that goes to the technical encyclopedia ('here') says straps have been soaked in cola and juice and don't lose strength unless they are bleached and obviously damaged, so I've been using that as my guide for gentle washing throughout the years.

The manuals all say 'no submersion' in water, and only 'wipe with a damp cloth and gentle soap', or something similar, though. They don't want people to soak the straps in industrial cleaners and iron them (people are creative

, they will do stupid, stupid things) and then blame the carseat companies when they fail.

Laurette · Jul 14, 2009

I always use baby soap in a bowl with warm water and a wash cloth. Dip the washcloth and then wring it out. Then I take the strap in between the washcloth and hold tight and pull the strap up and down sort of in a scrubbing motion. Then again with a washcolth with water only and then lay flat to dry.

I still have a radian that could use another go at cleaning the straps. I don't know what is on them but it is hard to get out.

zactayaus · Jul 14, 2009

Thanks ladies. Glad I can do something more than just a baby wipe.:thumbsup:

mom2juliarose · Jul 14, 2009

I used baby wipes and when necessary for a little more cleaning, I used an extra-soft headed toothbrush to gently brush anything off.

Mama Jo · Jul 14, 2009

Laurette said:
I always use baby soap in a bowl with warm water and a wash cloth. Dip the washcloth and then wring it out. Then I take the strap in between the washcloth and hold tight and pull the strap up and down sort of in a scrubbing motion. Then again with a washcolth with water only and then lay flat to dry.

I still have a radian that could use another go at cleaning the straps. I don't know what is on them but it is hard to get out.

That's what I do too.

How do you clean car seat harnesses?

zactayaus

Well-known member

oxeye

New member

seamonkeys

New member

Jonah Baby

New member

joolsplus3

Admin - CPS Technician

Laurette

New member

zactayaus

Well-known member

mom2juliarose

New member

Mama Jo

New member

Car-Seat.Org Facebook Group

Sponsors

Forum statistics