Cleaning Car Seat Straps

[Unregistered]

I never thought about it before, but several years ago my son vomited in his Evenflo Momentum. I washed the cover per the manual. I used a wet cloth (water plus dish soap) on the straps. I probably got the straps pretty wet (more than just a light wipe down) and as I get ready to use the seat for my youngest child, am wondering whether the straps are still safe.

How would you generally recommend cleaning straps?

How wet is too wet?

Thank you in advance!

 

[jess71903]

You could always call Evenflo and see what they say. I'm no longer a tech, so parent-to-parent, I would not fret over wet straps. In fact, I don't really put much stock in the claim that "soaked" straps are made weak by plain water. Maybe after days or weeks, but not by one soaking that dries after. :shrug-shoulders:

 

[Beloved]

From what I have gathered, not soaking straps has to do with using wet straps. If the straps are wet in a crash they may stretch more or be weaker than when dry. Also, putting the straps back in while wet might cause them not to dry and mildew.

Cleaning straps and then allowing them to dry thoroughly before attaching them to the seat would be fine.

 

[littleangelfire]

The reason for not soaking/submerging straps is risking removal of the fire retardant chemicals and risk of changing the stretch the straps have. Not mildew. If you just washed with cloth I wouldn't worry about it. I wouldn't worry unless you submerged and soaked them or put them in the washer