Cleaning Carseat Straps

Updated on March 02, 2009
J.S. asks from Saint Paul, MN
13 answers

If anyone can help me with this, it is you moms! My DD threw up in the car 4 times yesterday. I have everything clean and smelling lovely except the straps on her car seat. The straps on this model are not removable from the seat itself. I have tried hot soapy water several times to no avail. She threw up milk and the straps still smell really sour. I can't stand the smell anymore!!! Please give me some ideas to rid the smell. Thank you all so much for taking the time to help me out. Have a great weekend!

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So What Happened?

You moms are rockstars!!! After three days of cleaning, there is just one tiny smelly spot left and it took the brunt of the mess. I used rubbing alcohol, dawn and lots and lots of vinegar. I am getting tired of icky smells so I just might Febreze the tiny spot and be done with it! Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond and help me out. Now I just have to put the car seat pads back on and get the thing back in the car. Thank you all! Have a wonderful first week of March!

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H.A.

answers from Waterloo on

Make a paste out of baking soda and water. Rub it on the straps and let it sit. The baking soda will help soak up the odor. Rinse it off with hot water. Repeat if need be.

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A.F.

answers from St. Cloud on

Hi J.! This happened to me and used soapy water with VINEGAR!!! It works so well! The vinegar smell will dissapate in no time and leave your straps smelling fresh.
To a gallon of soapy water I used about a cup of white vinegar. Just dunk a washcloth in the water and scrub up and down on the straps.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.H.

answers from Minneapolis on

try using wd/40 its made with natural fish oils...kills oders an cleans...i use it for all my icky spots-or vinegar..

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R.V.

answers from Minneapolis on

My son did this same thing last summer. I used a rag with water and then sprayed it with a pet stain/smell remover. I got it at Target by the carpet steam cleaners. Make sure it is an enzymatic cleaner. It worked very well. The little bit of smell that was left went away with Fabreeze. I did notice after repeated cleaning and remaining smell that the vomit hed gotten into the screw holes on the back of the crotch buckle and in the plastic chest clip. Make sure you get all of it off witht he water and rag before spraying the cleaner on it.

Good Luck!
R.

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B.H.

answers from Sioux Falls on

Have you tried Oxiclean at all?

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M.H.

answers from Minneapolis on

Do not submerge (or soak) the straps in water. Also DO NOT put them in the washer if you figure out how to get them off. This will deteriorate the fabric making it weaker in the event of a crash. The vinegar is a great idea.

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L.M.

answers from Des Moines on

Hmmm. Try some baking soda mixed with some lemon essential oil. Don't use too much of the oil though, maybe just 2 or 3 drops with enough baking soda and enough water to like a thick paste. Rub it on, it should be kinda gritty. Maybe use some latex or rubber gloves, lemon oil can irritate your skin a little, but I've never had a problem as long as you wash your hands really good when you are done. Grind the pasty stuff in really good and let it dry all or most of the way. Rinse it off the best you can, and should be fresh as a daisy. :) Hope this helps. Lemon oil and baking soda will take the stink out of just about anything... (you can find lemon essential oil at almost any health food store, it's inexpensive and has a whole gaggle of uses!)

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C.P.

answers from Eau Claire on

Hey J.,
It looks like you pretty much have this taken care of, but reading some of the responses made me cringe! I don't think my daughter would like to have a vinegar smell in her carseat, and some of the chemicals recommended would make me really nervous to use around a little one. I saw one other person recommend a product called Sol-u-mel. That's what I would use, too. This is made by a wellness company and is completely safe to use around little ones. It's a great cleaner, deoderizer, insect repellant, etc. It's not available in stores, but if you're interested, send me a message and I'll let you know how to order it online. It's a product that is a must-have in my house! =)
C.

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S.H.

answers from Green Bay on

Hi J. S.
Sol-U-Mel from Melaleuca would do it, takes care of skunk oder. I am with Melaleuca.
S.
Long time wife and mom of 14 year old ds

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J.K.

answers from Minneapolis on

What about Febreeze?

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K.K.

answers from St. Cloud on

try rubbing them down with a bleach/water solution. it might discolor your straps but they won't stink anymore!

B.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

What kind of car seat is it? The harness is not removable? Check the manual, and if you can find instructions on how to remove, call the manufacturer.

You cannot submerge car seat harness in water, or put htem in the washing machine. It will deteriorate the fabric and make them very weak and susceptable to breaking in a crash, so don't get them in the washer or soaking wet.

set them out in the sun. I realize its February but the sun will bleach out the smell. Spray them with Febreze first, then set the whole seat out in the sun.

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C.P.

answers from Minneapolis on

I've never seen a carseat that doesn't have removable straps. If you can figure out how to get the straps off then thrown them in the wash. Otherwise try using pet accident cleaner, it will get the smell out. Make sure to let them dry completely. I'd agree with the previous post, set the carseat out in the sun. Good Luck!

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