How to Clean High Chair – Steps to Speed Up the Process

Having the right high chair can make mealtime a pleasant experience for your toddler. But, high chairs can get messy within a blink of an eye, and followed by it is a daunting process of cleaning. When it comes to cleaning a high chair, you will ultimately end up dedicating an hour or two from your day in the process. Well, don’t worry, we are here to guide you through the process of how to clean high chair effectively.

We have dedicated this post to all the new parents out there. We hope you find it interesting and informative.

Cleaning a high chair – what cleaning products to use

You should understand that daily wipes won’t remove engrained food grime. And if they aren’t removed, bacteria will quickly build up on them, which can cause skin irritations as well as staining. Chair straps, of all, are the worst. They are not only difficult to clean, but it is also challenging to keep them free of bad odor.

Of course, you cannot machine-wash a high chair or put it in a dishwasher. But what you can do is determine the right cleaning products available for cleaning your baby’s high chair. Below, we have listed some of the best cleaning agents, which you can consider using.

• Damp cloth
• All-purpose cleaner
• Detergent (liquid/powder)
• Hot water
• Baking soda
• Disinfectant
• White vinegar
• A coarse scrubber
• A soft brush
• Bleach (optional)

NOTE: You can use any one or a combination of the cleaning agents mentioned above.

However, before you start the cleaning process, we recommend that you check whether there are any specific care instructions provided in the high chair owner’s manual.

How to clean high chair straps – removable and non-removable

As said, cleaning high chair straps can be a bit tricky. But follow the simple steps, and you will achieve what you want.

If the straps are removable:

• Remove the straps from the high chair.
• If the straps have metal or plastic attachments, putting them in a washing machine is a big risk. What we suggest is put the straps in a dishwasher. If you don’t have a dishwasher, put the straps inside a wash bag and make it go for a spin in the washing machine.
• If you are hand-washing the straps:

1. Soak the straps in a bucket of water overnight with an appropriate detergent
2. If you are short on time, soak the straps in hot water for an hour.
3. While doing so, add white vinegar or baking soda in water for removing any lousy odor or stain
4. Once the buildup starts to loosen up, take a coarse scrubber or a brush and gently scrub off the dirt

• If the stains are stubborn, you can use bleach. But before using bleach, go through the user’s manual to determine if there are any strict instructions given on how to clean the high chair. Using bleach could de-color the fabric.
• Once the stain and dirt are removed, rinse the straps under running water to remove any traces of the cleaning agent used.
• Next, disinfect the straps using white vinegar or any child-free disinfectant, and hang them under the clear sun to dry.

If the straps are non-removable:

• Make sure you take the high chair someplace open like the terrace or outside before starting cleaning.
• Spray some water over the straps and soak them in some detergent. You can simply pour some liquid detergent in your hands and rub it on the straps. Wear gloves, always. If you find it messy, you can use a cloth to do the same.
• Allow the straps to soak in the detergent so that the buildup can loosen up.
• Use a coarse scrubber or soft brush to scrape off the buildup. If the stains are stubborn, use bleach (only if allowed by the manufacturer). Alternatively, you can use white vinegar or baking soda to remove the stain and bad odor.
• Once you are thorough with the buildup and stain removal process, take a hose and pressure clean the straps, while ensuring the cushions of the high chair aren’t affected. If you are afraid that the cover and cushions will also get dirty while you clean the straps, clean them too before rinsing the straps.
• Make sure that you wipe the wood, metal, or plastic parts immediately after cleaning to prevent any water stains and rust.
• Sterilize the straps with a child-free disinfectant or use white vinegar.

How to clean high chair cover or seat, and tray

While the straps are the ones that get the most dirty, the seat, tray, and cover also needs to be specially cleaned and treated.

Since the cover is removable, you can take it off and toss it in the washing machine. However, if the cover is not entirely fabric and has vinyl, don’t machine-wash the cover. Instead, wash it in cold water. Use your regular detergent. If there are stains, soak the stains in white vinegar, rinse it off with cold water.

To clean the tray, you can simply wipe its surface using a damp cloth, then spray some disinfectant or white vinegar, and again wipe using a dry cloth. If the buildup has dried, use liquid detergent and coarse scrubber.

How often you should clean baby high chair

Since it is using which your child eats, a high chair is always attracting bacteria and germs. Therefore, it must be regularly cleaned. Here is how often you should clean the high chair.

• After every use, brush off all the dry loose crumbs
• Wipe down the high chair with a damp cloth after every use
• Disinfect the tray after every use
• Clean the area below the seat, legs, and the exterior on a weekly basis
• Wash the straps and cushions every month

Accessories to keep your high chair clean

There are plenty of accessories that a high chair comes with. However, it will depend on the model and type you are choosing. Consider the following accessories that will help in keeping the high chair clean.

Splash mats

Splash mats are the lifesavers when it comes to reducing the mess when your little one eats. Some of the high chair models come with removable and washable splash mats to reduce mess about led-weaning. If yours haven’t, you can purchase a splash mat separately from the market and cut it in the size of the tray or make your own DIY splash mat.

Suction or magnetic bowls

Suction or magnetic bowls are a great addition to your high chair as they help in preventing your child from lifting his/her bowl. The magnet or suction will keep the eating bowl stick to the surface, ensuring that your child won’t pick it up.

Removable tray inserts

Removable tray inserts come in handy when cleaning after your child had his meal. You can simply remove the tray and put it in the dishwasher.

Conclusion

Well, that’s it! We have covered all the aspects of your question ‘how to clean high chair’ that includes cleaning the straps, cover, tray, and seat. Using this information, you will be able to maintain the hygiene of your baby’s high chair. As parents, you should always consider the convenience of a high chair rather than how it looks in the living room if you are buying one. Since it is not permanent furniture of the house, a little interest should be put into how it looks. It is just a suggestion.

If you have any concerns regarding the cleaning methods we have discussed, feel free to contact us.