HELP! Flying Tomorrow & Moldy Radian Straps

[stephpook]

I just pulled my second Radian from the basement and opened it so I could adjust the harness height for my 9 month old to use on the plane tomorrow and the harness straps, part of the cover, and chest clip all have mold and mildew in/on them. It must not have been completely dry when I put it down in the basement (inside a plastic trash bag to, ironically, protect it from getting dirty) - hence the mold and mildew. I love this seat. It's an older style Radian so I don't think the harness straps are replaceable. Is it ruined?

More importantly, is there a way for me to safely clean it up enough to take on my trip tomorrow, or do I need to go out tonight and buy a new seat (I am not hauling her MyRide through the airport)? Is mild soap and water enough to clean the mold and mildew off the harness?

If it needs to be replaced, what should I replace it with? I have a Wal-Mart, BRU, and Target in driving distance. Buy Buy Baby is over an hour away, it's storming, and we have an 8:20 a.m. flight tomorrow so another Radian is out of the question.

Thanks!

 

[LISmama810]

You might be able to get the mold off the cover but I'd consider the harness a loss. I'd pick up a Scenera.

 

[T4K]

I think Walmart has the Guide. It looks promising.

You can also check Target for clearanced seats.

 

[stephpook]

Okay, so I attacked it with some soap and water. The fuzzy white mold washed off but the black mildew spots are in the harness and I don't think they're coming out (although I could try scrubbing a bit with a toothbrush). Pardon my terrible camera, but here's a picture (the mildew is the small black spots) of what I'm talking about:

I remembered that I have a replacement crotch strap so that will help some and the cover looks fine (no mildew, just a bit of fuzzy mold). It's not a huge amount of mildew, but it's there and I don't think it's going away.

If I have to replace it, I really want another Radian. We're flying into Phoenix tomorrow. Would it be feasible for me to use it on the plane and pick up a Radian when we get to Phoenix? She'd only have to use it on the plane (about a 5 hour flight) and in the car long enough to drive to a store to pick one up. If so, can anyone tell me where I can find one in-store? We're flying into Sky Harbor and will be in the Mesa/Tempe/Gilbert area.

Thanks!

 

[Brianna]

I wouldn't use it-ignoring possible safety issues, I wouldn't want to expose a child to mold. I would pick up a cheap spare/travel seat even if you do get a second Radian. Other smaller seats will be lighter and easier to install, and it's always nice to have an easy to install seats for family member's cars.

Sent from my DROID4 using Car-Seat.Org

 

[BeautifulChaos]

I think Walmart has the Guide. It looks promising.

You can also check Target for clearanced seats.

We just got a Guide for our trip next month. I'd recommend it over the Scenera.

 

[Aurezalia]

Okay, so I attacked it with some soap and water. The fuzzy white mold washed off but the black mildew spots are in the harness and I don't think they're coming out (although I could try scrubbing a bit with a toothbrush). Pardon my terrible camera, but here's a picture (the mildew is the small black spots) of what I'm talking about:

[snip]

I remembered that I have a replacement crotch strap so that will help some and the cover looks fine (no mildew, just a bit of fuzzy mold). It's not a huge amount of mildew, but it's there and I don't think it's going away.

If I have to replace it, I really want another Radian. We're flying into Phoenix tomorrow. Would it be feasible for me to use it on the plane and pick up a Radian when we get to Phoenix? She'd only have to use it on the plane (about a 5 hour flight) and in the car long enough to drive to a store to pick one up. If so, can anyone tell me where I can find one in-store? We're flying into Sky Harbor and will be in the Mesa/Tempe/Gilbert area.

Thanks!

I wouldn't use it, honestly, the car ride is too long for me to feel comfortable with. The only BBB's in Phoenix are in Chandler and in waaaay north Scottsdale. The Chandler one will be closest, it's at the 101 and Chandler Rd. I would go out tonight, grab a Scenera for $40 or $50 or whatever it's at, then use it on the plane tomorrow and for the car ride. You can use it for the whole trip and fly home with it, OR you could buy a Radian at BBB when you get to Phoenix and then use that through the trip, but no way would I use a moldy harness in the car. :twocents: Is the Phoenix trip one you make often - family here or something? If so, then it'd be nice to have a spare seat (the Scenera) that you could just leave there.

 

[arly1983]

I once tried to get mold off a seat (TFP). I managed to get replacements straps, washed the cover, sunned the whole seat for several days, and wiped and wiped and inspected and got the ok from the manufacturer but EVERY.SINGLE.TIME my child was in that seat for no matter what amount of time he smelled strongly of mold. The mold was actually in the foam which was not replacable. It was a total loss. Knowing that I wouldn't use any moldy seat.

 

[stephpook]

Thanks everyone for your opinions and suggestions. I picked up a Scenera from Wal-Mart for $40 to use for the trip so we're good to go.

Poor Radian. That was my favorite seat. I'll be sad to see it go.