Safe way to wash carseat straps??

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sholoulou

New member

• Aug 13, 2009

• #1

What is the proper safe way to wash carseat straps? Does it matter what water temp or detergent you use? Can you dry them or air dry? Thanks!

 

Andie

New member

• Aug 13, 2009

• #2

The only safe way is to wipe them down with a damp sponge. Soaking the straps can weaken them.

 

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sholoulou

New member

• Aug 13, 2009

• #3

Oh no! I washed mine about a year ago...before I found this site. Should I order new straps?

 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

Staff member

• Aug 13, 2009

• #4

If you hand rinsed them with plain water, without prolonged soaking, it's probably okay. If you used any kind of detergent, soap, or cleanser or soaked them or machine washed them or pressure washed them or anything like that... Get new straps.

 

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sholoulou

New member

• Aug 13, 2009

• #5

I washed them in the washing machine... I will order new straps. They should have a tag on the straps when you purchase new seats so you know how to wash them. I can not believe you are not suppose to use any kind of soap... I am so ocd lol I think I will order black straps so it will look cleaner!

 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

Staff member

• Aug 13, 2009

• #6

The information on how to clean the straps is in the instructions, with information on how to clean the other parts of the seat.

Is there a different color of straps? I've only ever seen black on Sceneras...

 

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sholoulou

New member

• Aug 13, 2009

• #7

I have a Britax Marathon. I washed the straps after my daughter had a virus.. yuk! How in the world am I suppose to just rinse vomit?

This is how Britax says to clean the harness:

Cleaning the Harness
• SPONGE CLEAN using warm water and mild soap.
• TOWEL DRY
• DO NOT bleach, machine wash, machine dry or disassemble
the harness.

So could I still use a mild soap? If so, what is considered mild? I just bought a Regent and I know I will have to clean the straps def before the 6 years is up

 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

Staff member

• Aug 13, 2009

• #8

Yes, you could use a mild soap. Detergent isn't really mild. Something gentler, and very dilute, is better. I know people who use Woolite, or baby shampoo. But try water first, that usually does it. Sponge cleaning is the safest way to go but if it's really vomit-soaked sometimes parents just need to rinse. As long as it's done gently and you sponge (not wring) out the extra water I'm not too worried about it. And airing out helps too, you'd be amazed what a night of fresh air can do for a vomity harness.

 

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor

Staff member

• Aug 13, 2009

• #9

You can try a little vinegar as well to help with the vomit. However, if the smell is really really bad then we recommend simply ordering a new harness rather than attempting to wash the smell out.

Wendy

 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

Staff member

• Aug 13, 2009

• #10

Indeed. It saves a lot of hassle on all fronts.

 

tjham

New member

• Aug 13, 2009

• #11

I talked to Britax and they said examples of mild soaps were Dove and Ivory dish soap and baby shampoo. I swish quickly and/or sponge off in a dilute soapy solution then swish quickly in clear water. Pat with dry towel and air dry.

 

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southpawboston

New member

• Aug 15, 2009

• #12

wendytthomas said:

You can try a little vinegar as well to help with the vomit. However, if the smell is really really bad then we recommend simply ordering a new harness rather than attempting to wash the smell out.

Wendy

Click to expand...

vinegar is acetic acid with a pH of 2. it's a pretty harsh cleaner. i personally would stick to water alone, but i don't see the issue with running water versus sponging. water will not affect nylon webbing. machine washing might, because of the agitation, but not because of the water.

 

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Wineaux

New member

• Aug 15, 2009

• #13

Part of this is to keep from washing out the flame retardant. That's one of the reasons that sponging is preferred over running water, etc...

 

murphydog77

Admin - CPST Instructor

Staff member

• Aug 16, 2009

• #14

And a soft toothbrush is great for getting some of the, uh, nastier little pieces of stuff out of the fibers that wiping sometimes misses.

 

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southpawboston

New member

• Aug 16, 2009

• #15

Wineaux said:

Part of this is to keep from washing out the flame retardant. That's one of the reasons that sponging is preferred over running water, etc...

Click to expand...

agreed!

murphydog77 said:

And a soft toothbrush is great for getting some of the, uh, nastier little pieces of stuff out of the fibers that wiping sometimes misses.

Click to expand...

yeah, that's a great tip! :thumbsup: we keep old toothbrushes with our cleaning supplies for similar purposes (the toothbrush is an essential cleaning tool when working on bikes and small parts!).

 

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momto2princes

New member

• Aug 16, 2009

• #16

I thought I heard using a sensitive baby wipe to wipe it was ok. I might be wrong.

 

C

canmom

New member

• Aug 16, 2009

• #17

momto2princes said:

I thought I heard using a sensitive baby wipe to wipe it was ok. I might be wrong.

Click to expand...

I would be careful with baby wipes..... I think they have some pretty funky checmicals. FYI, I have used them to take paint off of carpet while painting (and dripping ).

 

Amaris

New member

• Aug 16, 2009

• #18

I've used a solution of california baby and water on mine, about 4 parts water and 1 part california baby. Honestly, every car seat I've had has said in the manual mild cleaner, and it really doesn't get much more mild than that, imo. I don't submerge the straps though, just wash with a cloth that is rung out fairly well, then rinse with a sponge. This has worked on pretty much everything, including vomit.

 

Amaris

New member

• Aug 16, 2009

• #19

double post,sorry.