If you have kids or enjoy eating and drinking in your car while on-the-go, then you are probably well aware of how easily car seat straps and seat belts get dirty. It’s easy to overlook the seat belt area of the vehicle during car washing. We’ll show you how to clean car seat straps so that they look like new.
Seat belts and infant straps are a necessary part of the car used for safety. Many times, they come in contact with spilled food or drink, and sweat that is left forgotten once you exit the vehicle.
Seat belts and straps are collectors of germs that we come into contact with each day. Seat belts and straps are essential pieces of vehicle equipment that should be cleaned regularly to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria.
Cleaning Car Seat Straps
Cleaning the car seats and straps is a standard part of overall interior vehicle maintenance. It’s always a good idea to give the inside of your car a good vacuuming before addressing stains and other problems.
Vacuuming works to eliminate crumbs and dirt, and will remove dog hair from your car before you tackle stains. Car seat straps can be cleaned using several different methods.
We include cleaner recipes and tips for quick cleaning of minor spills, extensive cleaning of tough stains, and instructions for cleaning an infant-car-seat harness or seat belt strap. Many of these solutions are ideal as a natural car cleaner to take care of the seat straps, fabric upholstery, headliner, and even the car mats and carpets.
Clean Car Seat Belts
You use the seat belts in your car so often that even if they do not become soiled by actual dirt, they will still get laden with germs from heavy use. We will show you how to clean car seat belts during regular maintenance.
Combine equal parts of the water and a mild soap such as Dawn dish soap into a spray bottle and shake gently. Extend the seat belt out as far as it will go by pulling on it slowly. Place the clamp onto the top part of the belt near the reel to hold it in place.
Spray the cleaner onto the belt from top to bottom and use an old toothbrush to scrub away any grime. Use a soft cloth to clean away the soap and dirt residue by dragging the fabric from the top of the belt to the bottom. Leave the seat belt clamped until it has dried.
Cleaning Car Seat Straps with Baking Soda
As much as you may like to throw those car straps in the washing machine, they are not machine washable. You can use baking soda for cleaning car seat straps that are stained, however. This will also remove any foul odors from the belt.
Combine equal parts baking soda and warm water in a bowl. Dip the toothbrush into the paste and apply it to the stained area of the seat strap. Gently scrub away gunk with the toothbrush using an upward motion.
Do not rub the area too vigorously. After you remove the stain, wipe the area using a little cold water and a damp cloth, and allow it to air dry.
Use this simple recipe for cleaning cloth car seats, too. Coffee stains, soda spills, and French fry grease all respond well to baking soda. It’s an inexpensive and highly effective cleaner for all types of surfaces.
Best Way to Clean Infant Car Seat Straps
Infant car seats can be a breeding ground for germs, and this is one of the last places we want them hanging out. You can safely clean those straps using gentle soap and water in a few simple steps. This recipe is also a non-toxic upholtery cleaning solution that can be used to clean the car seat cover.
Washing car seats and their cushions and straps doesn’t have to be a challenge. Cleaning instructions of the straps and the rest of the seat may vary depending on the model of your infant’s car seat. Chicco, Graco, Britax, and other car seat manufacturers may require you to review the car seat manual before cleaning.
If your instruction manual permits, soak the buckles and straps in a solution of baby shampoo and warm water and then hand wash them. Use a toothbrush to clean out the nooks and crannies of the buckles. After the cleaning is complete, lay the straps in the sun to dry completely before putting back into the car seat.
If the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions do not allow for the removal and soaking of the straps, soak a soft cloth in the solution of mild soap and water and wring out any excess liquid. Wipe the strap webbing from top to bottom with the soapy cloth. Don’t forget to clean both the outside and inside of each strap.
Cleaning Car Seat Straps On-the-Go
Accidents can occur at any time and are almost inevitable while taking a road trip. If you’ve accidentally spilled something on the seat belt or your child made a mess of their car seat strap, you can give it a quick cleaning at the next pit stop.
Quick Car Seat Strap Cleaner
If you’re a parent, you probably already have some extra baby wipes handy in the car. Even if you aren’t a parent, storing baby wipes in the glove compartment can save you a lot of cleaning time in the future.
Use a baby wipe sheet to lift as much of the stain as possible without rubbing. Use a fresh cloth to gently dab the stain away. Baby wipes can also be used to clean car seat covers.
Stroller Seat Harness Straps
Cars are not the only place that requires a harness for safety. The stroller is to the baby what the vehicle is to the adult. Unfortunately, harnesses are not machine washable, but you can still get them clean using this method.
Check the stroller owner’s manual first for any special cleaning instructions. Mix the water and baby shampoo in a spray bottle and shake just enough to mix without creating too many soap suds.
Spray the harness from top to bottom and use a soft wash cloth to wipe away dirt by moving along the webbing in one direction. Use the wash cloth to clean out the crevices of the buckles, too. Once clean, use a dry cloth to wipe away any of the residue.
It’s essential to stay away from harsh chemicals when cleaning a child’s car seat and seat belt strap. Many commercial cleaners contain additives that could leave a harmful residue on the strapping.
With the right know-how and mild cleaning ingredients, you can clean straps in the car, infant car seat, and stroller to safely keep them germ-free and as good as new.
Now that you understand how to clean car seat straps using the right cleaning methods, we’d love it if you shared our seat belt cleaning tips with your friends and family on Facebook and Pinterest.