With their daily use, child safety seats can easily become unkept. Whether it is food, drink spills, or germs a proper cleaning routine is one way to keep your family healthier and your car a little cleaner.
Before you remove anything from your child safety seat, check the owner's manual for specific cleaning instructions that are unique to your seat. The manual is also your best resource to know what cleaning supplies you can use. If you can’t locate your manual, the manufacturer’s website will have a digital version.
Another tip to ensure you can correctly reinstall the safety seat after you are finished cleaning is to take pictures of the seat while it is installed. Note locations where straps and belts pass through the seat and where your LATCH connection points are found. Take pictures from various angles - above, below, front and back - to help you remember exactly how the seat was installed.
After you remove the safety seat, vacuum the area around the seat to clean up any food crumbs. As you clean the seat, be sure not to remove any labels or instructions, as these are necessary to ensure correct seat usage. Allow time for the car seat to dry thoroughly before reinstalling it. Dry the seat cushions and padding separately in direct sunlight or your clothing dryer, if the manual states this is acceptable.
While cleaning your child safety seat, it is also a good time to check the expiration date. Locate the manufacturer label on the side or base of the seat. Typically, car seats are only good for six years after the manufacture date. If your car seat has expired, you must buy a new one. Plastic becomes brittle over time, especially under prolonged exposure to heat and sunlight. A new car seat will ensure the safest ride for your child.
Double-check your manual to ensure you have reinstalled the seat correctly. Your freshly cleaned child safety seat will look better while keeping your child safe.
If you need more information about the proper use of your car seat, visit Safe Kids.
For more tips on car seat installation, refer to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.