How to clean a pushchair

Your pushchair is a constant travel companion in the first four years of your little one’s life, so it sees a fair bit of action. Not only that, but it handles a lot of mess too. We thought we’d talk you through cleaning a pushchair, so you can keep your stroller looking fresh. 

If your little one is in the early stages of their life, then chances are you own a pram, pushchair, or travel system, and probably one that offers all three modes. In this section, we look at keeping your pushchair clean.

How often should I clean my pushchair

This depends on how dirty your pushchair is, however, we recommend giving your pushchair a thorough clean once a month. This will keep it tidy and prevent unwanted wear and tear to parts such as the breaks, wheels, and frame.

How to clean pushchair wheels

The best way to wash pushchair wheels is to what them down with a sponge and warm soapy water. First remove any excess mud or dirt, then clean them down and allow them to dry naturally. Finally finish off with a good quality silicone-based spray (such as WD40) applied to the axle and wheel assembly to make sure they’re well lubricated to prevent sticking.

How to clean pushchair fabric

Every pushchair manufacturer is different, so before you clean your fabric make sure to consult your user manual. When it comes to Ickle Bubba pushchairs, fabrics are broken down into two categories:

• Machine washable fabrics

• Handwash only fabrics

Machine washable pushchair fabrics

For Ickle Bubba pushchairs, this refers to additional pushchair accessories such as foot warmers, seat liners and carrycot aprons. These pieces can be washed in your machine on a cool wash setting. If they’ve only sustained minor dirt or mess, then you might be able to clean them with a wet sponge.

Handwash only pushchair fabrics

These are fabrics which can only be washed by hand, with a sponge dipped in warm water (around 30o) with a mild detergent. These fabrics include canopy fabrics such as the pushchair, car seat and carrycot hoods).

Drying your pushchair fabrics

When it comes to drying your pushchair fabrics after cleaning, the best thing to do is leave them to dry naturally. Keep all fabrics away from heat sources such as fires, radiators, and direct sunlight.

How to clean a pushchair hood

As mentioned above, wipe the pushchair hood down with a sponge dipped in warm water with a mild detergent. Give the whole hood a wipe down, focusing more attention on any areas with a build-up of dirt or staining. Once clean, leave it to dry naturally.

How to clean a mouldy pushchair

If you have cleaned your pushchair seat or hood, please make sure to leave them unfolded until they have fully dried. If you collapse your pushchair down or fold the hood in while still wet, this can cause mould or take even longer to dry. If you do find traces of mould on your pushchair, follow the cleaning instructions above.

So, we’ve dealt with making your stroller and travel system look nice and pretty, but what happens if your pushchair breaks, or something goes wrong? This section covers maintaining your pushchair.

How to maintain your pushchair

As we mentioned above, we recommend giving your pushchair a clean once a month. It’s also important to inspect your pushchair just as often to make sure there is no unwanted wear and tear.

Check the following fixtures to make sure they are tight and secure:

• Screws

• Rivets

• Bolts

• Fastenings

If any fixtures seem loose, tighten it if possible. If anything is broken or damaged, make sure to replace it as soon as you can. Regularly apply silicone-based spray (such as WD40) to moving parts to ensure they don’t tighten up or stiffen.

Maintaining your safety harness

Regularly check your child’s safety harness to make sure it is working and stays secure. If you spot any signs of damage or wear, then contact us directly.

Maintaining metal pushchair parts

It’s important to understand that using your pushchair or stroller during the winter can result in unwanted wear and tear. Salt water, salt and grit can corrode mental parts unless it is removed, so make sure to inspect and wipe down your stroller if:

• You’re travelling a lot during winter

• You visit the seaside and/or beach

• You take your product off road

How to prevent pushchair wear and tear

Regularly inspect your stroller for signs of wear and tear. While accidents and bumps can cause damage, it’s important to know that general use can result in wear and tear if you’re not careful.

Be sure to use your pushchair carefully, especially if navigating tight spaces or travelling on uneven terrain. Always inspect your pushchair after a long journey to make sure it hasn’t suffered any unwanted knocks, punctures, or damage.

Preventing wear to zippers

Make sure all zippers are always in the fully-open or fully-closed positions. Leaving them in the mid-way position can make them more vulnerable to damage.

Exposed pushchair parts

Remember when storing or transporting your stroller, exposed edges and fabrics can be the first to wear and fray. Where possible make sure your folded pushchair is protected and handle carefully.

Changes to fabric colours

Changes to your pram fabrics can be caused by exposure to excessive sunlight for extended periods or detergents that are too abrasive. Make sure not to leave your pushchair in the sun for too long, or when not in use, and avoid detergents that can damage fabric colours. Avoid all abrasive substances and bleaches.

Spare pushchair parts

If you find any areas of your pushchair that are worn or damaged, then contact the Ickle Bubba Customer Care team to organise a replacement part.

So, there we have it. Hopefully you’ve found some top tips for keeping your pushchair cleaning and maintaining it to avoid any unwanted damage. Remember, all Ickle Bubba pushchairs, travel systems and strollers come with a 4-Year Warranty and our Customer Care team are always on hand to discuss any issues you have.