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If you own a baby stroller, then keeping it clean is vital. Babies use strollers often, and so there is likely to be lots of dirt build-up no matter how clean you are.
Any crumbs or spillages left even for a few hours could lead to the increase of bacteria and other harmful microorganisms. Babies can easily catch infections because their immune systems are still developing. For this reason, and others, it is vital to keep your stroller as clean as possible.
You may think that a quick and simple wipe would be enough, but that isn’t usually the case. Proper cleaning requires that you know about the specific techniques and safe products to use. It is also true that the different materials in the stroller need different kinds of cleaning. You cannot clean metal the same way you would clean fabric or plastic. In this article, we’ll go through all you need to know about cleaning strollers.
Basics
You ought to take care of the basics first before engaging in any attempt at deep cleaning. For this, you can use a stiff brush to dislodge any crumbs and dust particles from the stroller. If you want to be a bit more thorough, go for a vacuum cleaner. A vacuum cleaner can get to all the hidden nooks and remove all dust and particles. Once you complete this necessary step, you can then embark on deeper cleaning.
Cleaning The Fabric
Without a doubt, the fabric will present the most significant challenge when it comes to cleaning. Part of the reason for this is because you cannot remove the material from the stroller. You may also come across a heat-treated fabric that can change if exposed to plenty of water. As such, you cannot wash strollers using machines, and hand washing always is the best and only option.
For the most effective cleaning, you should go for mild detergent. To use the detergent on the stroller, you should use a damp cloth. A washing cloth is much more effective than wipes as you can get more dirt out of your stroller. You’ll probably have to rub several times over particularly dirty spots for perfect cleaning.
If the stains are tough for the cloth, you could leave the stained area to soak for a while. Soaking will help loosen the dirt, and you can then get to it easily. You could also use a toothbrush to dislodge the tough stain.
Going with a mild detergent is critical. It is neutral and is unlikely to bleach the fabric. Powerful detergents will bleach the material and could also be risky for your baby’s health. Bleached fabric will also not last as long as regular fabric. Avoid strong detergents at all costs.
Metal And Plastic
After cleaning the fabric, your next area of focus will be the framework of the stroller. Many strollers will have a mix of metal and plastic in their structure. The crucial thing with these components is how gentle they are. One aspect of being gentle involves not using any surface disinfectant. Surface disinfectants are usually strong and, therefore, not advisable for use. The best option would be warm soapy water and a piece of cloth.
Food trays and other extras are part of the framework and should get a cleaning too. These components are especially critical as they can harbor germs and other microorganisms.
Any surface which the baby can reach with their hands easily should get adequate cleaning. In addition to food trays, such surfaces could include straps and other kinds of fastenings. As we already mentioned, these surfaces require thorough cleaning. If a cloth cannot get the dirt out, go for a toothbrush as we did with the fabric.
Harsh detergents are unnecessary as most germs tend to die with mild detergents or even just soap and water. These harsh detergents could also affect the framework especially the metallic parts, and lead to the weakening of the stroller with time.
Harsh detergents could also affect your baby’s immune system by killing off the beneficial bacteria that keep us safe.
Wheels, Handles, And Footrests
These components usually come last in the cleaning process. You should spend as much time as you can on the parts which your baby could touch. These components present the most significant risk of disease and infection.
For wheels, handles, and footrests, you can use the same solution of soapy water and cloth you used in the other parts of the stroller. There’s also no reason to worry about getting everything entirely right. As we’ve already said, these areas are safe from the baby and so won’t present any chances of infection. However, every once in a while, you can decide on a deep and thorough clean to boost the appearance of your device.
There could also be stubborn stains on these components. You can place your wet piece of cloth over any stubborn parts and wait for a while. The damp piece of fabric will loosen any dirt and help you clean the surface quickly.
Finishing Touches
Once the stroller is completely clean, you can wipe it down with clean water. You can also add essential oils to this water, such as lavender or tea tree. Such a solution will freshen up your stroller and leave it with a pleasant fragrance. As with all other things, do not overdo the finishing touches. It won’t add much to the final appearance of the stroller.
You could also allow your stroller to dry in a shaded place. Direct sunlight is never a good thing as it could lead to the destruction of your fabric. If the stroller dries in an entirely well-shaded area, the material remains intact and the wind in the cool place will take away any unpleasant odors.
Conclusion
As you can see, cleaning your stroller isn’t hard at all. It would be best if you had a few products and maybe an hour of your time to get it clean. You could even do it every few days and as such, you won’t have many stubborn stains to remove.
