How to Clean Child Car Seats

Cleaning Your Kid’s Carseat

Kids are messy. Kids are gross. Kids do their best to make pristine carseats as disgustingly wet with bodily fluids at the worst possible time that stink up your car in the worst possible way. How do you clean your carseat so that it’s not only back in its pristine state but also safe to use again? There is a procedure to follow and products you can use. We’re here to show you exactly how to get that sucker clean.

Every carseat has a particular way to clean the cover (called the “padding”), the harness, the plastic shell, and the LATCH strap(s). While we can give you generalizations here—and we have consulted the major manufacturers and asked them the main questions we see over and over from you—you really do need to read your carseat owner’s manual because there can be differences even between two carseats from the same model name. If you lost your manual, you can read it online at the manufacturer’s website.

Before we dive into what each manufacturer says on cleaning, remember that they’re all individual entities who have different ways of cleaning, just like you have a different way of cleaning your house from your best friend. Each manufacturer has rules based on how they’ve tested their products and what information they’ve been given from their component manufacturers.

The one thing every manufacturer can agree on:

Do NOT wash your harness straps in a washing machine. It can stretch them and break the fibers so that they aren’t strong enough to protect your child in a crash.

We asked manufacturers for name brands whenever possible, but most couldn’t endorse specific brands. We’ve always recommended plain blue Dawn without any other additives since if it’s gentle enough to use on wildlife after oil spills, it hopefully is gentle enough for spot-cleaning a carseat cover and harness. It does a good job of regular laundry stain removal too (OMG, don’t ever use a bunch of it in a washing machine or it will bubble out and absolutely destroy your machine and house)! The key is to use the least amount possible so none is left behind after rinsing.

Also, you might want to wipe your cover clean instead of doing a full pull-the-cover-off-and-throw-it-in-the-washing-machine clean. If that’s the case, follow the 🖐 hand-wash recommendations we give; some covers simply aren’t designed to be washed in the washing machine because the flame retardant may wash out, they’ll shrink, or otherwise fall apart. Don’t kill the messenger please—we didn’t design them!

And you’d be amazed at what a simple vacuuming will do toward making the cover look clean and fresh! This one stores well in the glovebox or hidden space in the back cargo area, or use a regular vacuum.

It’s super tempting to be like those parents on TikTok or Instagram who powerwash their carseats or hose them down in the backyard or spray them with Febreeze or Lysol, but for the love of all things chocolate—DON’T! A carseat is a safety device designed to save your child’s life in the event of a crash and it should be treated as such. Powerwashing it is not in any owner’s manual, no matter how much you want to do it. 🥴

The sun has an amazing ability to get even the worst smelling odors out of a seat and harness. Be careful of sudden storms that pop up—we’ve heard of carseats ruined in downpours because they were forgotten outside.

Again, since recommendations change as products evolve, refer to your carseat owner’s manual. It has the final word on how to clean your carseat and how to remove the cover.

Baby Jogger

Covers that can be washed: Check label for care instructions

🖐   Hand-Wash Cover Recommendations: Refer to care labels on cover. Use a mild detergent with no bleach. Wash in a large sink or bathtub. Roll the cover in a large absorbent towel to get a jump start on drying, otherwise it may take days.

Washing Machine Recommendations: If allowed, use a mild detergent with no additives and a delicate cycle. Mix the detergent in the washing machine with cold water first. Drip dry.

Can Use Baby Wipes on Harness? No

💧   What If Harness Soaks Through? Try not to soak the harness while cleaning—use a washcloth/microfiber cloth dipped in a bowl filled with a drop or two of mild detergent (Dawn) and water. Wipe dry with a towel, then air dry.

🪥   Can Use a Toothbrush or Other Brush on Harness? A soft adult toothbrush used gently is acceptable.

Other Cleaning Comments:

Baby Trend

Covers that can be washed: Check label for care instructions

🖐   Hand-Wash Cover Recommendations: Refer to care labels on cover. Use a mild detergent with no bleach. Wash in a large sink or bathtub. Roll the cover in a large absorbent towel to get a jump start on drying, otherwise it may take days.

Washing Machine Recommendations: If allowed, use a mild detergent with no additives and a delicate cycle. Mix the detergent in the washing machine with cold water first. Drip dry.

Can Use Baby Wipes on Harness? No

💧   What If Harness Soaks Through? Try not to soak the harness while cleaning—use a washcloth/microfiber cloth dipped in a bowl filled with a drop or two of mild detergent (Dawn) and water. Wipe dry with a towel, then air dry.

🪥   Can Use a Toothbrush or Other Brush on Harness? No

Other Cleaning Comments:

Britax

Covers that can be washed: FR Free SafeWash

Britax recommends replacing after 30 washes for optimal quality

🖐   Hand-Wash Cover Recommendations: Refer to care labels on cover. Use a mild detergent with no added perfumes, enzymes, or abrasives and use as little as possible to make it easy on yourself during rinsing. Wash in a large sink or bathtub. Roll the cover in a large absorbent towel to get a jump start on drying, otherwise it may take days.

Washing Machine Recommendations: Use a mild detergent with no added perfumes, enzymes, or abrasives and a delicate cycle. Mix the detergent in the washing machine with cold water first, if possible, and use a long rinse cycle at the highest water level (or rinse twice). OK to dry on low.

Can Use Baby Wipes on Harness? No

💧   What If Harness Soaks Through? If the child soaks the harness, let it dry and continue to use the seat. Try not to soak the harness while cleaning—use a washcloth/microfiber cloth dipped in a bowl filled with a drop or two of mild detergent (Dawn) and water. Wipe dry with a towel, then air dry.

🪥   Can Use a Toothbrush or Other Brush on Harness? A soft adult toothbrush used gently is acceptable.

Other Cleaning Comments:

Century

Covers that can be washed: All

🖐   Hand-Wash Cover Recommendations: Spot clean or hand wash with a standard laundry detergent with no chlorine bleach added. Wash in a large sink or bathtub. Roll the cover in a large absorbent towel to get a jump start on drying, otherwise it may take days.

Washing Machine Recommendations: Use standard laundry detergents without chlorine bleach added. Use cold water and a gentle cycle. Hang to dry.

Can Use Baby Wipes on Harness? Yes, mild or gentle wipes only

💧   What If Harness Soaks Through? Try not to soak the harness while cleaning—use a washcloth/microfiber cloth dipped in a bowl filled with a drop or two of mild detergent (Dawn) and water. Wipe dry with a towel, then air dry.

🪥   Can Use a Toothbrush or Other Brush on Harness? Preference is soft cloth with warm water and gentle soap

Other Cleaning Comments:

Chicco

Covers that can be washed: All

🖐   Hand-Wash Cover Recommendations: Spot clean or hand wash with Dreft. Avoid detergents that have chemicals like bleach. Wash in a large sink or bathtub. Roll the cover in a large absorbent towel to get a jump start on drying, otherwise it may take days.

Washing Machine Recommendations: Use Dreft or other mild detergents without harsh chemicals. Use cold water and a gentle cycle. Hang to dry.

Can Use Baby Wipes on Harness? No

💧   What If Harness Soaks Through? Try not to soak the harness while cleaning—use a washcloth/microfiber cloth dipped in a bowl filled with a drop or two of mild detergent (Dawn) and water. Wipe dry with a towel, then air dry.

🪥   Can Use a Toothbrush or Other Brush on Harness? No. Chicco recommends a washcloth.

Other Cleaning Comments:

Clek

Covers that can be washed: Refer to owner’s manual and online FAQ

🖐   Hand-Wash Cover Recommendations: Spot clean with a solution of mild detergent and water (for wool fabrics, use a wool-safe detergent); can use a soft brush or the edge of a spoon to help remove stain. No bleach or fabric softener. Wash in a large sink or bathtub. Roll the cover in a large absorbent towel to get a jump start on drying, otherwise it may take days. Lay flat to dry.

Washing Machine Recommendations: Use Dreft or other mild detergents without harsh chemicals. Use cold water and a gentle cycle. Hang to dry.

Can Use Baby Wipes on Harness? No

💧   What If Harness Soaks Through? Try not to soak the harness while cleaning—use a washcloth/microfiber cloth dipped in a bowl filled with a drop or two of mild detergent and water. Wipe dry with a towel, then air dry.

🪥   Can Use a Toothbrush or Other Brush on Harness? No

Other Cleaning Comments: The cover to the Fllo or Foonf can be removed, but it I rank them as pro-level in difficulty. Unless you have a really major cleaning catastrophe, consider spot-cleaning your Fllo or Foonf (I haven’t had my hands on a Liing yet to remove the cover). Clek also has a Fabric Cleaning Kit, which has a pleasant, mild scent. The green bottle cleans food and protein stains while the pink bottle cleans grease, ink, and crayon stains. We have a review here.

Cosco Kids

See Dorel

Cybex

Covers that can be washed: All

🖐   Hand-Wash Cover Recommendations: Spot clean or hand wash with a standard laundry detergent with no chlorine bleach added. Wash in a large sink or bathtub. Roll the cover in a large absorbent towel to get a jump start on drying, otherwise it may take days.

Washing Machine Recommendations: Use standard laundry detergents without chlorine bleach added. Use cold water and a gentle cycle. Dry on low for 10-15 minutes.

Can Use Baby Wipes on Harness? Baby wipe for use on baby’s skin, yes. Surface cleaning wipes, like Clorox or Lysol, are prohibited.

💧   What If Harness Soaks Through? Try not to soak the harness while cleaning—use a washcloth/microfiber cloth dipped in a bowl filled with a drop or two of mild detergent (Dawn) and water. Wipe dry with a towel, then air dry.

🪥   Can Use a Toothbrush or Other Brush on Harness? Yes. Press lightly and don’t overdo it.

Other Cleaning Comments:

Diono

Covers that can be washed: All

🖐   Hand-Wash Cover Recommendations: Spot clean or hand wash with a standard laundry detergent with no chlorine bleach added. Do not use bleach. Wash in a large sink or bathtub. Roll the cover in a large absorbent towel to get a jump start on drying if you don’t have a dryer, otherwise it may take days.

Washing Machine Recommendations: No detergent specified, but do not use bleach. Use cold water and a gentle cycle. Tumble dry separately for 10-12 minutes on low heat.

Can Use Baby Wipes on Harness? No

💧   What If Harness Soaks Through? Try not to soak the harness while cleaning—use a washcloth/microfiber cloth dipped in a bowl filled with a drop or two of mild detergent (Dawn) and water. Wipe dry with a towel, then air dry.

🪥   Can Use a Toothbrush or Other Brush on Harness? No.

Other Cleaning Comments: Diono seats can be sanitized. Do not wash memory foam.

Dorel (Maxi-Cosi, Safety 1st, Cosco Kids)

Covers that can be washed: All

🖐   Hand-Wash Cover Recommendations: Spot clean or hand wash with a standard laundry detergent with no chlorine bleach added. Do not use bleach. Wash in a large sink or bathtub. Roll the cover in a large absorbent towel to get a jump start on drying if you don’t have a dryer, otherwise it may take days.

Washing Machine Recommendations: No detergent specified, but do not use bleach. Use cold water and a gentle cycle. Tumble dry separately for 10-12 minutes on low heat.

Can Use Baby Wipes on Harness? No

💧   What If Harness Soaks Through? Try not to soak the harness while cleaning—use a washcloth/microfiber cloth dipped in a bowl filled with a drop or two of mild detergent (Dawn) and water. Wipe dry with a towel, then air dry.

🪥   Can Use a Toothbrush or Other Brush on Harness? No. Dorel recommends a cloth.

Other Cleaning Comments:

Evenflo

Covers that can be washed: All

🖐   Hand-Wash Cover Recommendations: Spot clean or hand wash with a standard laundry detergent with no chlorine bleach added. Wash in a large sink or bathtub. Roll the cover in a large absorbent towel to get a jump start on drying, otherwise it may take days.

Washing Machine Recommendations: Use standard laundry detergents without chlorine bleach added. Use cold water and a gentle cycle. Dry on low for 10-15 minutes.

Can Use Baby Wipes on Harness? Baby wipe for use on baby’s skin, yes. Surface cleaning wipes, like Clorox or Lysol, are prohibited.

💧   What If Harness Soaks Through? Try not to soak the harness while cleaning—use a washcloth/microfiber cloth dipped in a bowl filled with a drop or two of mild detergent (Dawn) and water. Wipe dry with a towel, then air dry.

🪥   Can Use a Toothbrush or Other Brush on Harness? Yes. Press lightly and don’t overdo it.

Other Cleaning Comments: Evenflo did some testing during the early stages of the pandemic and they’re currently the only manufacturer to allow the use of 70% isopropyl alcohol!

You can use 70% isopropyl alcohol to disinfect car seat and booster seat surfaces, including the fabric, harness, buckle, plastic parts, foam and labels. You can spray or wipe the 70% isopropyl alcohol to dampen (but not soak) the surfaces. Afterwards, be sure to let the surfaces air dry. This guidance applies to all Evenflo car seats and booster seats.

If your child is prone to carsickness or has a medical issue where disinfecting a carseat is extremely important, Evenflo carseats should definitely be on your short list because of their 70% isopropyl alcohol use policy.

Graco

Covers that can be washed: All

🖐   Hand-Wash Cover Recommendations: Spot clean or hand wash with a standard laundry detergent with no chlorine bleach added. Wash in a large sink or bathtub. Roll the cover in a large absorbent towel to get a jump start on drying, otherwise it may take days.

Washing Machine Recommendations: Use standard laundry detergents without chlorine bleach added. Use cold water and a gentle cycle. Hang to dry.

Can Use Baby Wipes on Harness? Yes, mild or gentle wipes only

💧   What If Harness Soaks Through? Try not to soak the harness while cleaning—use a washcloth/microfiber cloth dipped in a bowl filled with a drop or two of mild detergent (Dawn) and water. Wipe dry with a towel, then air dry.

🪥   Can Use a Toothbrush or Other Brush on Harness? Preference is soft cloth with warm water and gentle soap

Other Cleaning Comments:

Maxi-Cosi

See Dorel

Nuna

Covers that can be washed: Check label for care instructions

🖐   Hand-Wash Cover Recommendations: Spot clean or hand wash with a mild laundry detergent. Wash in a large sink or bathtub. Roll the cover in a large absorbent towel to get a jump start on drying, otherwise it may take days.

Washing Machine Recommendations: If your cover allows, use mild laundry detergents. Use cold water and a gentle cycle. Air dry.

Can Use Baby Wipes on Harness? No

💧   What If Harness Soaks Through? Try not to soak the harness or get any soap inside buckle while cleaning—use a washcloth/microfiber cloth dipped in a bowl filled with a drop or two of mild detergent (Dawn) and water. Wipe with a towel, then air dry.

🪥   Can Use a Toothbrush or Other Brush on Harness? No. Manual specifies sponge.

Other Cleaning Comments:

Peg Perego

Covers that can be washed: Check label for care instructions

🖐   Hand-Wash Cover Recommendations: Spot clean or hand wash with a mild laundry detergent. Wash in a large sink or bathtub. Roll the cover in a large absorbent towel to get a jump start on drying, otherwise it may take days.

Washing Machine Recommendations: If your cover allows, use mild laundry detergents with no chlorine bleach. Check owner’s manual for max water temp and use a gentle cycle. Air dry.

Can Use Baby Wipes on Harness? No

💧   What If Harness Soaks Through? Try not to soak the harness or get any soap inside buckle while cleaning—use a washcloth/microfiber cloth dipped in a bowl filled with a drop or two of mild detergent (Dawn) and water. Wipe dry with a towel, then air dry.

🪥   Can Use a Toothbrush or Other Brush on Harness? Yes

Other Cleaning Comments: Owner’s manuals say not to use water on harness, but we clarified with them that they mean not to soak the harness under a stream of water or wash it in the washing machine.

RideSafer Travel Vests

Gen5 Vests that can be washed: All

🖐   Hand-Wash Cover Recommendations: Spot clean or hand wash with a standard laundry detergent with no bleach added. Wash in a large sink or bathtub. Soaking for 1-2 hours is allowed. Roll the cover in a large absorbent towel to get a jump start on drying, otherwise it may take days.

Washing Machine Recommendations: Use standard laundry detergents without chlorine bleach added; may add benzalkonium chloride (Lysol brand laundry sanitizer or generic, non-chlorinated). Use cold water and a gentle cycle. Hang to dry.

Can Use Baby Wipes on Harness? Baby wipe for use on baby’s skin, yes. Don’t recommend using wipes with aloe/other moisturizers since they leave an oily residue that will attract dirt.

💧   What If Harness Soaks Through?

🪥   Can Use a Toothbrush or Other Brush on Harness? Preference is for soaking over scrubbing, but Safe Traffic System, Inc. does allow the use of a soft brush to loosen a stain

Other Cleaning Comments: CSB cautions that these cleaning instructions are specific to RideSafer Travel Vests and until such time that other manufacturers have tested their products with sanitizers such as benzalkonium chloride (Lysol laundry sanitizer), continue to use only mild soaps on those products. STS, Inc., does allow the Gen5 RideSafer Travel Vest to be hosed off outside with a garden hose. See their FAQ for sanitation applications.

Safety 1st

See Dorel

UPPAbaby

Covers that can be washed: All

🖐   Hand-Wash Cover Recommendations: Spot clean or hand wash with a mild laundry detergent with no bleach or perfumes added. Wash in a large sink or bathtub. Roll the cover in a large absorbent towel to get a jump start on drying, otherwise it may take days.

Washing Machine Recommendations: Use mild laundry detergents without bleach or perfumes added. Use cold water and a gentle cycle. Dry flat, away from sunlight.

Can Use Baby Wipes on Harness? No

💧   What If Harness Soaks Through? Try not to soak the harness or get any soap inside buckle while cleaning—use a washcloth/microfiber cloth dipped in a bowl filled with a drop or two of mild detergent (Dawn) and water. Wipe dry with a towel, then air dry.

🪥   Can Use a Toothbrush or Other Brush on Harness? No. Preference is soft cloth with warm water and gentle soap.

Other Cleaning Comments: Can find more about UPPAbaby’s cleaning instructions on their cleaning and care page.