How to Clean Mold from a Stroller or Infant Car Seat
If you’re using a baby car seat or baby stroller in Singapore, chances are you’ve encountered mold on the fabric of these baby essentials. Mold may seem harmless, but it can cause health problems for your little one. We provide some advice on how to clean your infant car seat or clean your stroller from mildew, including an option for professional cleaning by PramWash.
What is mold and how does it affect babies?
Mold is a fungus. It forms when moisture, heat and organic matter are present; Singapore’s humid climate makes it easy for mold to grow anywhere. It can also appear in different forms, such as a hairy growth or patches of black, white, green or orange.
Although mold can cause allergic reactions or respiratory problems such as coughing or wheezing in adults, the effects on younger people can be more serious. According to a study published in the July 2003 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
How does mold get on a car seat or baby stroller?
As long as the right conditions are right – humidity, heat, organic matter such as food debris – mold can grow on the fabric surfaces of a car seat or stroller. If you leave an infant car seat in the car or a stroller in a storage room, it can create the right conditions for mold to grow.
What can I do to remove mildew from the fabric of a seat or stroller?
Although there are ready-to-use products for this purpose, some of the chemicals and ingredients in these products can be harsh on the fabric of a car seat or stroller. Any product residue could also cause skin irritation in babies.
You can try the following homemade solution, which includes white vinegar, water, and baking soda.
- Mix eight parts white vinegar with two parts water in a spray bottle.
- Spray it on the moldy surfaces of the car seat or stroller.
- Allow the solution to soak into the fabric and dry completely.
- Vacuum the affected areas and allow to air dry for 15-20 minutes.
- Apply the baking soda to the same areas and let sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Vacuum up the baking soda and let the infant car seat or stroller dry completely in the sun.
Before you start using this method, you need to make sure that your exposure to mold is reduced. So put on a protective mask that prevents you from inhaling mold spores and wear gloves. It is also advisable to do the cleaning in a sunny place.
You should also ventilate the spaces where you store your car seat and stroller, such as the car, the storage room or the garage. Leave these spaces open for at least 15 minutes so the musty smell and airborne spores can be blown out.
What if I don’t have time to clean all my baby gear?
To leave Pram Wash manage it for you! Established in 2017, it is the leading baby equipment cleaning specialist in Singapore. The team washed over 10,000 strollers and other baby gear of all makes and models; their cleaning specialists will clean mold from car seats and baby strollers using cleaning solutions made with plant-based ingredients and certified non-toxic by lab testing.
Simply bring the item to be cleaned to one of their outlets and let them do the rest. They also have a pickup and delivery service for an additional fee.
How can I prevent mold from growing again on my baby’s car seat or stroller?
Prevention is always the first step towards a long-term solution. One of the best ways to reduce the risk of mold on the stroller or child seat is to wipe it down after each use. It is also important to clean the item immediately after a food or drink spill. When storing, choose a dry place; put it in the sun once a week to air it out.
PramWash is at VivoCity #B2-22A, 8 Boon Lay Way, #04-119 Tradehub 21
8686 8001 | pramwash.com
Don’t miss our guide to preschools and preschools in Singapore and where to shop online in Singapore.
Patricea Chow
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