Any parent will be affected in one way or another by the issue of washing a stroller, because the transport of children tends to quickly become dirty. If you have an idea of the basic rules of care and take into account the individual characteristics of the existing model of children's transport, then you can wash the stroller in a washing machine, or by the usual manual method, without fear of damaging it.
Which stroller is machine washable and which is not?
Baby strollers can be disassembled completely, partially, or have a non-dismountable design. It is easiest to care for models with removable elements, but it is also necessary to take into account the characteristics of the material from which the fabric parts of the vehicle are made (hood, cover, basket).
Typically, the soft elements of strollers are made of wear-resistant and safe materials. It can be ordinary fabric, raincoat, eco leather or PVC (polyvinyl chloride) leather substitute. Each of these materials has its own care recommendations.
Eco leather
Good eco-leather should not look different from ordinary leather, although it is produced by applying a polyurethane film to a fabric base. Such material cannot be washed either automatically or in the usual manual way.
To clean, simply wipe the case and individual parts with a soft cloth using delicate cleaning agents. You can use special products for the care of natural leather. If the stain is very persistent, 50% alcohol can be used, but only on the area of heavy contamination.
To fix the result and extend the service life of children's transport, eco-leather must be wiped dry after each cleaning, and then a water-repellent agent must be applied.
PVC cover
Caring for models in which the base of the covers is polyvinyl chloride material is simple - just wipe the cover with a soft cloth and detergent. Unlike eco-leather, this material does not need to be treated with a water-repellent composition.
When choosing a stroller, you should be more careful, since a PVC-coated model may be sold under the guise of eco-leather, and this may affect its care.
There are a lot of reviews online with recommendations from experienced parents about washing eco-leather in washing machine: for some it has lost its presentation, but for others it has not. The point may be that in the first case the eco-leather was real, and in the second case it was made of PVC.
One way or another, manufacturers do not recommend washing a baby stroller made of eco-leather and PVC in a washing machine, as this can damage the material.
Fabric covers
Non-separable models with covers made of raincoat fabric are easier to clean than the same ones, but made of ordinary textiles. Raincoat has high water-repellent properties, so it can be washed using a mild detergent (without bleaching particles) and a brush.Spinning as such is not required; it is enough to forcefully “drive” the water with your hand, and the material will be almost dry.
Many models on the market combine different materials. For example, removable elements are made of ordinary fabric, and non-removable elements are made of raincoat fabric. Thus, the removable textile parts of the stroller can be easily washed in the washing machine. gentle washing mode with low spin speed.
How to prepare a stroller for washing?
The type of material from which the soft elements are made may be indicated in the instructions or on labels on the fabric itself. The manufacturer must provide the following information:
- cover material;
- acceptable type of washing and water temperature;
- recommended washing mode;
- acceptable cleaning agents.
The instructions should also indicate which elements are removable and which are not. Often, if you make an effort, even non-removable parts will be removed, but later it will be problematic to attach them back.
Removing fabric parts
The first step is to remove all possible fabric elements. Parts that are supposed to be removable are usually secured with buttons or Velcro. On most models, you can remove the hood, interior trim and liners, canopy, and bumper cover (if equipped).
Larger fabric pieces may appear permanent but are actually simply attached to the base with screws. This task can be done with a screwdriver.However, you should not persist if difficulties arise; perhaps these parts according to the design of the stroller really should not be removed.
The structure with the remaining fabric parts on it can be washed in the bathroom according to the same rules as non-dismountable models.
Washing features
If there is heavy soiling, before washing the stroller in the machine, it is better to first soak the fabric in a soapy solution. When the dirt gets wet, you can gently remove it with a soft sponge. For stubborn stains, such as those from berries or fruit purees, it is advisable to use a children's stain remover. For the main operation, it is also worth using special detergents, such as baby powder or liquid gel machine.
Experienced parents recommend placing fabric parts in a laundry bag. This way the material will wear out and wrinkle less during spinning. If you don’t have a special bag at home, you can replace it with an old pillowcase.
If, according to the information on the label, it is not clear what mode to wash stroller covers in a washing machine, then a program at 30⁰ C is best in this case. When using high temperatures, the fabric may shrink or fade.
Unlike the main parts, the mattress and sides are usually made from lighter materials, so they need to be washed separately from the cover.
Rules for spinning and drying
If the covers were washed without a bag, then you don’t have to wring them out, but simply put them on for an additional rinse.This option, of course, is more suitable for parts made of thin fabrics, without filler.
If there are parts with filler (foam rubber, for example), then you can squeeze them out a little by hand. Next, all the parts need to be straightened, giving them their original shape. If possible, you should immediately place them on the stroller to prevent the fabric from shrinking. After washing and drying, all external covers should be treated with water-repellent agents.
What if the stroller can't be disassembled?
The vast majority of modern models can be at least partially disassembled, but if the stroller is not disassembled, you can clean it manually. To do this, the vehicle is placed in a bathtub and washed with soapy water. If there are stains that are difficult to remove, then you need to proceed in the same way as with removable parts - soak the stain a little using a baby stain remover, and then delicately wipe off the dirt.
To clean the soap solution, use a shower and a sponge or soft brush; with their help, the fabric surface and other parts of the transport are carefully rinsed from top to bottom. To prevent soap stains, the stroller should be thoroughly rinsed and left in the bathroom until dry.
