How To Clean High Chair Straps (Removable And Non-Removable Straps)

Have you have been wondering how to clean high chair straps? High chairs are made for messes and are quite easy to clean, but sometimes trying to have those gross dingy straps clean can prove very difficult.

Whether removable or non-removable, high chair straps can be difficult to keep clean, and since the straps are made of fabric, they cannot be wiped clean like the rest of the chair as many of them are often quite pale, meaning they stain easily.

Having known that dish soap and water alone don’t get the job done. Since harsh cleaning chemicals from some popular products can leave behind toxic residue or stains that can irritate the skin, I’ve decided to share with you a perfect concoction to get your straps back to new. Keep reading

Cleaning Different High Chair Materials

High chairs come in various shapes (such as hooks on high chairs), sizes, and materials. Some are independent units, while space-saving high chairs strap to regular chairs. Some are made of plastic, while others have cushioned inserts.

Nowadays, most are made of plastic, though some may contain metal parts – especially in the mechanisms that detach the tray from the seat. If you have an antique high chair, it may be strong wood.

It’s important to evaluate the material and construction of your baby’s high chair to know the best approach to clean it properly.

Note:

Never You Soak Parts Of Your High Chair If:

It is made of wood.
The cushion is fabric.
It has metal parts.

Do Not Use Bleach If:

Your high chair is made of wood.
The cushion is fabric.

How Often To Clean High Chairs And Straps?

It would be best if you regularly cleaned your high chair to avoid any bacteria build-ups since the food stuck on the chair, especially on the straps, can become a health hazard because it can result in mold growth.

Recent research concluded that high chairs people have at their homes and those found in public places like restaurants shelter more bacteria than the average public toilet seat, which is frightening.

This can be avoided with a nice cleaning; if not, it can cause serious illness if children have frequent contact with such dirty seats.

However, while you don’t have to spend the whole day cleaning your child’s high chair, there are some steps you should do daily (or, even better, after every feeding session), while others can be done less frequently. One of the benefits of daily cleaning is that it prevents dirt build-up, making your cleaning sessions easier.

Step1: Every Use

Brush Off All Loose Crumbs: To prevent food from being ground into the cushion and safety belt, remove all loose crumbs after every feeding using a napkin or dishcloth to dispose of in the garbage.
Wipe Down The High Chair With A Damp Cloth: After removing all large and loose food pieces, wipe the high chair down after each feed with a damp cloth using only water. Make sure you wipe down all of the following parts (seat, cushion, underneath the tray, sides of the high chair, the release button, and so on) to prevent food particle build-up.
Sanitize The Tray/Eating Surface: Sanitize the eating surface by spraying it with white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide, sitting for five minutes, and then wiping it with a damp cloth. Alternatively, you can wipe it with a diluted bleach solution (2 teaspoons of bleach to 1 gallon of water) and allow it to air dry. You can also wipe with a disinfectant wipe. This is widely available in retail stores.

Caution

Sanitize with ONE of these cleaning methods. Never mix vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, or bleach, as it can cause a dangerous chemical reaction. You can choose any of the

Step 2: Weekly

Wipe The Seat Below The High Chair: If you have a space-saving high chair, remove it once a week and wipe down the chair below it with a damp cloth.
Clean The Exteriors, Legs, And Underside: Every week, clean and disinfect the high chair parts. Use the sanitizing recommendations in Step 1. Use the scrubber side of a sponge to remove stuck-on foods.

Step3: Monthly

Disassemble And Clean Cushions And Straps: Once a month, deep clean your high chair. Take out the cushion and safety straps. Remember to check the label on the back of the high chair to be sure, but most high chairs can be thrown in the washing machine. Finally, allow to air dry after washing. Please do not put them in the dryer.
Remove Food From Small Crevices: Use a toothpick or toothbrush to remove caked-on food from the nooks and crannies of your high chair, just as you would detail your car. The most common places food will get stuck are where the strap comes up through the seat, release button, clamping mechanism, or seams of the plastic.
Eliminate Stuck-On Food: If you have stubborn particles of dried food, you may need a little elbow grease, then spray your high chair liberally with a solution of half water and half vinegar until very wet. Allow this to sit for 5-10 minutes to soften food particles. Then scrub off the stubborn food particles and wipe the whole high chair down with a clean damp cloth.

Here is a video showing you how to assemble and disassemble a Graco high chair

How To Clean High Chair Straps? The Complete Guide

What You’ll Need

Detergent.
Baking soda.
White vinegar.
Soft brush.
Bleach (Although optional).
A disinfecting/sterilizing solution like Milton sterilizing fluid.

Practical Steps On How To Clean A Removable High Chair Straps

If the straps of your baby’s high chair are removable such as the Joovy nook high chair or Stokke high chair, follow these simple steps.

First, remove the straps from the chair.
If you are using a washing machine, put the straps in the wash bag and throw them into it.
If you are washing by hand, first soak the straps in hot water with appropriate laundry detergent for hours or overnight. You can also add baking soda or white vinegar to ease stain removal or bad odor. Then use a soft brush and gently scrub off to remove dirt and loosen build-up.
If the stain refuses to go, apply bleach. Some manufacturers are against the use of bleaching agents on high chair straps. Thus, make sure you carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions before cleaning.
Rinse the straps thoroughly to eliminate any traces of the detergent and bleach.
Then disinfect the straps. You can achieve this by using white vinegar, Milton solution, or any other disinfectant you may have at home that is safe for baby items.
Finally, use a dry cloth or towel to dry the straps, or hang the strap outside to air dry.

Read Also: How To Fold Cosco High Chair

Practical Steps On How To Clean A Non Removable High Chair Straps

If the straps of your baby high chair cannot be detached, the following steps will be of great help.

Firstly, take the high chair outside.
Soak the straps while still attached to the chair in detergent or laundry soap. This can be achieved by soaking a cloth in soapy water and rubbing it on the straps.
Allow the straps to soak for some time to soften all the dry food on the strap.
Then start scrubbing the stained areas on the strap using a soft brush.
Use a bleaching agent to remove any stubborn stains if the manufacturer allows.
Now rinse thoroughly with water and leave the chair to dry under the sun.
Sterilize the chair straps.
It is difficult not to clean the straps without getting water onto the cover. Therefore, wash the cover too before rinsing off the straps. Also, remember to clean the rest of the chair to prevent mold and rust on its metal parts.

How To Remove Joovy Nook High Chair Straps

At times, you may think that your high chair straps are not removable, yet with a little patience and gentle force, they will come out.

Here is a video showing you how to remove joovy nook baby high chair straps.

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Conclusion

Notwithstanding the usual messes our babies and toddlers make at mealtimes, cleaning your child’s high chair straps doesn’t have to be such a complicated process.

Consistent wipe-downs, weekly cleaning maintenance, and monthly deep-cleans will keep gross food build-up at bay.

This protects your baby from health complications that may occur due to bacteria or mold that grows on dirty high chairs and straps.

I hope this article has been a great help to you on how to clean high chair straps, both removable and non-removable. We’d love to hear other ways you’ve cleaned your baby high chair straps by emailing us.