How to clean a dirty stroller in 8 simple steps

When you have a child, your busy lifestyle gets busier, and your stroller becomes a key component to accommodate this. Very quickly, however, it can become a dirty germ hub, with food, mud and dust congregating on it's surfaces and in hard-to-clean crevices.

Cleaning your stroller is a crucial step to extending it's lifespan and ensuring it remains in good working condition, particularly if you opt to purchase one secondhand to reduce landfill waste, or want to sell your old one on.

So, we spoke to our experts for their cleaning tips on how to make your pushchair pristine with an easy to follow, step-by-step guide.

Step 1: Check the manufacturer's care instructions and disassemble

Before you do anything, check the manufacturer's care instructions that came with your stroller for specific advice on your model. If you bought it secondhand, these can usually be found online. If you don't know the make or model, take a picture and reverse-image search it on Google. You'll need to download the Google Chrome app to do this on mobile.

'First thing you want to check is the care instructions that come with the stroller,' says Ken Doty, cleaning expert and COO at The Maids. 'Some manufacturers and models can have very specific cleaning steps or teach you how to disassemble to clean individual parts.'

'If your pushchair allows, remove any detachable parts like the fabric seat covers, wheels, and trays,' adds Vanessa Terra Bossart, owner of Green Terra Cleaning. 'This makes it easier to clean each part thoroughly.'

Step 2: Vacuum

Next, remove any dust build-up from your stroller by vacuuming it thoroughly.

'Vacuum off the body of the stroller to get any loose dirt and food remnants from the hood, frame and baby seat,' says Doty.

Terra Bossart, recommends using a handheld vacuum for this step, such as the 'Black+Decker dustbuster available at Amazon. It's ideal for reaching all the nooks and crannies,' she says.

Step 3: Wash the frame with warm, soapy water

Once disassembled, you can set to work by cleaning the frame with warm, soapy water.

'Cleaning the frame will be the easiest part,' says Doty. 'Use a damp cloth with soap and warm water to properly clean, and dry with a cloth.'

We recommend using a gentle, baby-safe soap, and a microfiber cloth, such as the HOMEXCEL Microfiber Cleaning Cloth, available at Amazon.

As strollers are among the surprising household items you can clean with vinegar, Terra Bossart also suggests making a gentle yet effective DIY solution. 'To ensure your pushchair is free from germs, mix equal parts water and white vinegar. Apply this solution with a spray bottle or cloth, then wipe down the surfaces.'

We recommend the Great Value Distilled White Vinegar available at Walmart for this task, as it is distilled with water to a 5% acidity, perfect for busting bacteria.

Terra Bossart also suggests using a Mr. Clean Original Magic Eraser available at Amazon on any stains or stubborn marks. 'It can be very effective,' she says. 'Lightly dampen the eraser and gently rub the stains until they disappear.'

Step 4: Disinfect the frame

Once your stroller has been cleaned, disinfect it to ensure no harmful bacteria and germs remain.

'I recommend for those cleaning strollers with tougher messes, try a commercial baby-safe disinfectant spray or wipe,' says AirBnB host and co-owner of Sweden Valley Cabins Jonas Zook Jr. 'I focus on providing clean and comfortable accommodations for my guests.'

Zook Jr recommends using brands such as Dreft, available at Walmart, or Babyganics Toy and Table Wipes available at Walmart. 'Non-toxic sprays are safest for little ones on the go,' he adds. 'Be sure to test any product on an inconspicuous area first to check for colorfastness.'

These tips can also be used to disinfect baby toys that you may have hanging on your pram or around your house.

Step 5: Scrub the wheels

Next, it's time to turn your attention to the wheels, where the majority of dirt and grime builds up. It's important to clean them thoroughly on a regular basis, to ensure easy rolling.

'Clean the wheels with a simple cleaning solution of warm water with dish soap,' says Doty. 'You can use a brush (such as the SetSail Scrub Brush available at Amazon) to reach more space, or equip a toothbrush to get to harder to reach areas and dried up dirt and grime.'

Terra Bossart recommends removing the wheels where possible, and leaving them to soak overnight. 'If possible, take the wheels off and soak them in warm, soapy water to loosen any dirt or grime,' she says. 'Then, use a sturdy brush like the Carrand Grip Tech Deluxe Car Wash Brush (available at Walmart) to scrub the wheels thoroughly. Rinse them well and dry them completely before reattaching.

'Once the wheels are clean and dry, apply a light spray of silicone lubricant, such as WD-40 Specialist Silicone Spray, to the axles to keep them rolling smoothly.'

Step 6: Wash the fabric

The most tricky part of your stroller to tackle is the fabric section where your baby sits, but it's crucial to keep this clean and sanitary.

'The hardest part to clean will likely be the fabric,' says Doty. 'Take a cloth with non-toxic cleaner and wipe down all fabric. If you can detach it from the structure of the stroller, you can throw it in the washing machine with baby detergent.'

We recommend using the all Baby Liquid Laundry Detergent available at Walmart, as the best selling formula is tough on stains but gentle enough for babies, with a cleaning power that won't irritate sensitive skin.

Alternatively, Terra Bossart suggests using vinegar. 'Mix 2 cups of warm water with one tablespoon of mild dish soap, such as Dawn (available at Walmart), and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar,' she says. 'Dip a sponge or cloth into the solution and gently scrub the fabric. Be careful not to oversaturate the fabric to avoid soaking the padding. Once cleaned, wipe the area with a damp cloth to remove any soap residue.'

You can also spot treat small stains and spills with the Woolite Carpet & Upholstery Foam Cleaner, available at Walmart. 'Apply it directly to the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, and then blot with a clean cloth,' says Terra Bossart, and you can use it to clean your upholstery too.

Step 7: Clean the stroller basket

Punteha van Terheyden, head of Solved at Homes & Gardens, is a mum of one and went through four different strollers with her daughter from birth to age three.

She says, 'The carriage underneath my pushchair was vital as it housed snacks, drinks, shopping, diaper bags and everything in between. When you have a screaming baby or hangry toddler, you often end up shoving things under there, or pulling things out in a rush to soothe your child, and that leads to spills, crumbs and all sorts of messes.'

van Terheyden regularly tipped her strollers upside down outside in her yard to shake off loose debris from the basket, before using antiseptic wipes such as Great Value Lemon Scent Disinfecting Wipes available at Walmart to disinfect. 'For the more stubborn stains, greasy spots or to deodorize, I used baking soda and left it on for an hour, or overnight if I was really busy, then discarded the bulk into a trash bag before vacuuming with the brush attachment on my canister vacuum,' she adds.

Step 8: Dry and reassemble

Finally, thoroughly dry your stroller before reassembling.

'After cleaning, let all parts of the pushchair air dry completely before putting it back together,' says Terra Bossart. 'Hang the fabric parts in a well-ventilated area, or if the weather is nice, outside for quicker drying, before making sure there's no leftover soap or cleaning product residue on any part of the stroller.' The fabric will take longer to dry, but there are many benefits of air-drying laundry, and any fabric section from your stroller is one of the things to never put in a dryer.

'Once everything is dry, reassemble your stroller,' adds Terra Bossart. 'It should look refreshed and be ready for use.'

FAQs

Can you hose down a stroller?

If you're in a pinch and want a quick cleaning solution for your stroller, you can hose down most models.

This can be especially helpful for removing any extreme messes, or if your stroller has become caked in mud and debris. Simply hose down and leave to dry overnight, and follow up with a disinfecting spray or solution when you have time. And, if yours is broken, learn how to fix a garden hose before getting started.

Can you steam clean a stroller?

As one of the things you can clean with a steamer, regularly steam cleaning your stroller is also a great way to disinfect and sanitize it. The steam will reach places a vacuum can't, and it will be much quicker than disassembling and washing each part individually.

'By following these steps, you can keep your pushchair clean and in great condition, ensuring it’s always ready for the next outing,' says Terra Bossart. 'Regular maintenance not only keeps it looking good but also helps extend its lifespan,' which will also make it easier to resell when the time comes. van Terheyden adds that regularly cleaned all her strollers, and was therefore able to sell them on for great prices, owing to their good condition.

And, if you're a new parent, these nursery room ideas are the perfect place to start.