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How to Properly Clean Your Foldable Stroller

How to Properly Clean Your Foldable Stroller

, by Artorias Tse, 10 min reading time

As a parent, it is incredibly important to keep your baby’s stroller clean. Not only does a dirty stroller look unsightly with food stains, mysterious sticky spots, and dirt trails, but it can also harbor harmful germs that could make your little one sick.

While it is ideal to give your stroller a quick wipe down after every use, finding time for a deep clean isn’t always feasible with a busy schedule.

That’s why I’ve put together this comprehensive cleaning guide for foldable stroller.

Cleaning Materials and Methods

Did you know that the right supplies and techniques distinguish between mediocre surface cleaning and truly deep cleaning every inch? That's why the proper cleaning materials and understanding the best methods for your stroller’s various components are key first steps.

Assembling Your Stroller Cleaning Kit

Having the right gear makes stroller cleaning quick, easy, and effective. Here’s everything you need for the job:

Stroller manual: Check for specific care instructions for your model's fabrics, removable pieces, and approved cleaning methods.

Handheld vacuum: A vacuum with hose attachments removes loose dirt and crumbs wedged in crevices. Canister vacuums work, too.

Disinfecting wipes: Look for fragrance-free wipes with natural ingredients that won’t irritate sensitive skin. Wipes tackle frame grime easily.

All-purpose cleaner: Choose a gentle, non-toxic spray cleaner that is safe for baby gear. Sprays help lift stuck-on stains.

Spot cleaner: A dedicated spot cleaner is extremely effective for tough stains. Pick a baby-safe enzymatic cleaner.

Soft brush: Gently loosen set-in dirt on fabric or crevices with a soft brush, like an old toothbrush.

Microfiber cloths: These lift and trap dirt without spreading it around or leaving lint behind.

Laundry detergent: Check if your model’s seat fabric is washer-safe. Pick an eco-friendly, fragrance-free liquid detergent for machine washing if it is.

Disassembling Your Stroller

Before cleaning, refer to your stroller manual for safely removing pieces like the canopy, seat pad, basket, wheels, etc. Taking your stroller apart gives you access to every surface, ensuring the most thorough cleaning. Pay attention to how parts detach so you can properly reassemble everything later.

If possible, remove all machine-washable fabrics first. Then, tackle the remaining disassembly. Place hardware like screws or washers in labeled bags so they don’t get lost. Lay out parts organized so you know what needs to be cleaned and can efficiently reassemble.

Got everything laid out? Let’s get cleaning!

Step-by-Step Cleaning Guide

Now, we’re ready to tackle washing each stroller component. Here’s a foolproof system to lift dirt, eliminate odors, banish stains, and sanitize every inch of your foldable stroller.

Deep Cleaning Fabric Pieces

The seat, canopy, liner, harness covers, etc., accumulate dirt and food and drip the most. Follow these steps to refresh fabrics:

  1. Vacuum:Use the crevice tool to vacuum every inch of fabric, lifting out debris. Focus on seams and folds where grime hides.
  2. Machine wash:Depending on your model, machine wash fabric components separately or in a mesh bag per manufacturer instructions. Air dry.
  3. Hand wash:For non-washable fabrics, use warm water and baby-safe soap. Use a soft brush on stains. Rinse thoroughly. Air dry.
  4. Spot clean:For tough stains, spray on spot cleaners. Let set for 5-10 minutes, then scrub with a brush. Rinse and let dry.
  5. Disinfect:Once fully dry, use disinfecting wipes on fabric parts to kill lingering germs. Pay special attention to spots where food or hands make contact.
  6. Air dry:Ensure all fabric pieces are fully air dry before reassembly to prevent mold growth.

Cleaning Metal and Plastic Components

On frames, handlebars, baskets, and small parts, follow these steps:

  1. Wipe down:Use disinfecting wipes on frame, handle grips, adjustable panels, etc., as well as hardware like screws and washers if removed. Let wipes fully dry.
  2. Spot clean:For plastic pieces like snack trays with stuck-on gunk, apply an all-purpose cleaner and let soak a few minutes before scrubbing with a soft brush or sponge and rinsing.
  3. Air dry:Double-check that every surface is dry before storage or reassembly. Wet metal pieces may rust if stored.

Refreshing Wheels and Tires

Wheels pick up plenty of outdoor muck. Get them clean in a few simple steps:

  1. Inspect:Check tires for embedded debris like pebbles or glass that could cause flats. Use tweezers to remove debris.
  2. Scrub:Use a small brush to lift dirt from the treads. Clean the rims and the wheel assembly with soapy water.
  3. Rinse:Use a hose on a high-pressure setting to forcefully rinse wheels and tires, dislodging mud caked in crevices.
  4. Dry:Wipe wheels clean, then buff tires to restore shine. Allow to fully air dry before reattaching.

Preserving Buckles and Harness Straps

These often-handled components deserve some extra care. Follow this process:

  1. Vacuum:Use a crevice tool to vacuum dirt from strap ridges and buckle cracks.
  2. Disinfect:Wipe buckles and straps down with disinfecting wipes, getting into every crevice. Pay special attention to crotch straps and edging around buckles where buildup accumulates.
  3. Rinse:Run warm water over straps and buckles to rinse off residue and prevent skin irritation. Work water into edging with a soft brush.
  4. Dry:Pat harness straps and buckles dry with a clean towel. Don’t reattach until fully dry.

Spot Cleaning and Stain Removal

Accidents happen. Strollers take a beating, from diaper leaks to car sickness to spilled snacks. Here’s how to lift those stubborn stains.

Food Stains

These are annoyingly common but thankfully removable:

  1. Act quickly:As soon as possible, pick up any solid pieces and blot excess liquid with a rag. Avoid smearing.
  2. Spot clean:Spray stained area with spot remover. Let set for 5 minutes.
  3. Scrub:Using a soft brush, gently scrub the stain in a circular motion to loosen and lift it. If needed, add a small amount of dish soap to emulsify the oils.
  4. Rinse:Blot lift soap and stain residue with a clean, wet cloth. Follow with plain water to remove all soap.
  5. Repeat if needed:For stubborn marks, repeat the scrub, rinse, and blot process until the stain dissipates.
  6. Air dry:Ensure the spot and fabric piece are fully dried before using or storing the stroller.

Bodily Fluid Stains

Vomit, urine, and diaper leaks act fast, so a quick response is key. Follow these steps:

  1. Absorb:Immediately blot excess fluid with paper towels or a diaper. Avoid rubbing.
  2. Scoop:Carefully remove any solid matter with a plastic spoon and discard properly.
  3. Rinse:Run fabric under cold water while gently rubbing the stain site with a clean, wet cloth to remove residue.
  4. Disinfect:Saturate the area thoroughly with disinfecting wipes. Use a cloth to work the solution into fibers.
  5. Deodorize:Once dry, sprinkle baking soda over the spot and let sit overnight before vacuuming up. Baking soda absorbs stubborn odors.
  6. Repeat if needed:After fully disinfecting, use an enzyme cleaner to lift residue from fabric and padding for old or set-in stains.

Preventative Care to Keep It Clean Longer

Does it seem like your stroller gets grimy days after you’ve cleaned it? You can extend the time between deep cleans through some simple habits. Try these:

Remove debris promptly

Don’t let trash accumulate in crevices. Wipe up spills quickly using blotting and gentle scraping techniques to avoid pushing grime deeper into the fabric. The quicker you remove debris, the less likely it’ll become a stain.

Regular wipe downs

At least weekly (or after very dirty outings), use disinfecting wipes on key spots like handlebars and harness buckles, which are prone to germ accumulation. Quick wipedowns inhibit buildup.

Spot treat common areas.

After each use, inspect the areas where your child’s face and hands make contact, like harness straps. Spot treat any new stains immediately to prevent setting in.

Air dry thoroughly

Failing to let moisture dry fully breeds mold and mildew. Always allow complete drying before folding up your stroller, whether hand washing or spot treating.

Use UV protectants

Sun exposure degrades fabric and tires. To minimize UV damage and extend component life, apply a protective spray formulated for stroller use. Reapply after deep cleaning.

Check for rips, cracks, and rust.

During routine wipedowns, inspect for torn fabric or padding, cracks in plastic pieces, or rust on metal components. Address any issues promptly to prevent worsening damage.

Conclusion

There’s no way around it—if you use a stroller frequently, it’s going to get dirty. While quick wipedowns should happen routinely, finding time for a complete overhaul can be tough with a busy toddler.

Hopefully, these steps to thoroughly yet efficiently clean every inch of your foldable stroller, from machine washing fabrics to detailing wheels, will make tackling that grime a little less painful while keeping your baby’s environment clean.

FAQs

  1. What’s the best way to clean stroller fabric?

For machine-washable fabric, use an eco-friendly liquid detergent on the gentle cycle. For spot cleaning, spray on an enzymatic cleaner, soak for 5-10 minutes, and gently scrub with a soft brush before rinsing—avoid harsh scrubbing.

  1. How do you clean mold or mildew out of a stroller?

First, disassemble the stroller to access all affected areas. Clean with an all-purpose spray cleaner, using a soft brush on fabrics or a microfiber cloth on solid parts. Allow to dry before reassembly to prevent regrowth fully.

  1. What should you do if your stroller gets poop on it?

Remove solid waste gently with a plastic spoon and discard. Don’t rub the fabric, as that pushes residue deeper. Rinse the area well, then saturate it with disinfecting wipes to kill germs. Let it fully dry, then vacuum and repeat wiping to remove any lingering odors.

  1. How do you get old, set-in stains out of a stroller?

Apply an enzymatic cleaner like Grandma’s Secret Spot Remover for tough stains. Let it soak in for 5-10 minutes, then gently scrub using a soft brush in a circular motion to lift the stain. Rinse well, then blot dry. Repeat if needed.

  1. Should you hose down your stroller to clean it?

Using a hose in a high-pressure setting can efficiently blast dirt, mud, and debris out of small spaces on wheels, tires, and frames. However, avoid using it at close range or directly on fabrics, which can damage the material. Instead, opt for spot hand washing delicate fabrics.