Spring is well and truley here and what better time to clean off the mud, mould, food and who knows what build up on your child’s pram and get it back to looking as good as new!
Tips on how to clean your pram or stroller:
- Before you begin, always check the manufactures details for cleaning instructions and see if the fabric is removable.
- If the seat is removable, spread it flat out on the ground and give the fabric surfaces a good vacuum in particular, paying attention to where the seat meets the back as this is where the grit likes to hide in the seams.
- Once you have given it a good vacuum, depending on manufacturer guidelines, hand or machine wash the fabric stroller parts, then line dry.
- If the seat is not removable take the pram outside, remove all accessories i.e feeding tray, cup holders etc. and give it a good vacuum out. Once you have done that, give it a good hosing down (preferably on a warm sunny day so it dry’s off quickly) then with a bucket of warm soapy water and scrubbing brush – get scrubbing!
- With all the hard plastic accessories such as snack trays and cup holders, wash them as you would any other dishes in dishwashing detergent and water.
- Wipe down the frame with warm soapy water. This is also a good time to fix any squeaky parts on the pram with a spray of WD-40.
To clean mould from your pram or stroller here are a few suggestions to try:
- Firstly, start with a hot sunny day in the morning and give the affected area a good scrub with a toothbrush to get rid of the mould spores then leave the pram outside for a couple of hours in the sun.
- Next step: mix three parts white vinegar to two parts water in a spray bottle and wet the entire area affected by mould and allow to sit for one hour, then rinse off thoroughly and leave to dry in the sun for the rest of the afternoon.
- If you have stubborn stains, mix up a paste of white vinegar and bi-carb, and give the stains a good scrub and leave for 10 minutes then rinse thoroughly with clean water. Leave out in the sun to dry.
- Avoid harsh chemical cleaners as these may fade your prams fabric.
- Available from health food stores or pharmacy, oil of cloves is a natural alternative for mould. Add a cap full into a spray bottle, fill the bottle with water and spray it on, leave for 1 hour then wipe with a damp cloth.
- To stop the mould from returning make sure you are diligent about cleaning up spills when they occur, a baby wipe is perfect for wiping up mess and usually on hand in the nappy bag.
- When you no longer need your stroller, store it in a dry place.
If you are time poor or simply don’t think you have it in you to tackle cleaning up your babies ride, then try a pram cleaning service in your area.
Happy Spring cleaning!