To stay safe and work right, strollers need to be serviced regularly. Taking care of your stroller like you would any other thing you use often will make sure your child has a cozy ride and make it last longer. With these four easy steps, you can keep your stroller in good shape and ready to use whenever you need it.
Step 1: Clean Your Stroller's 3 Key Parts
Your child will be safe, comfortable, and healthy in their stroller if you clean it often. Pay attention to these three key areas:
Frame and Handlebar Cleaning
How to do it: To clean the metal frame, plastic parts, and bars well, wet a soft cloth with water and mild dish soap. Make sure to clean up the dirt that gathers in corners and cracks. Wipe it down again with a clean, damp cloth to get rid of any soapy water that is left behind. Use a clean towel to dry everything completely, making sure to pay extra attention to cracks and connection points. Do not clean the stroller with harsh chemicals or rough scrubbers, as they can damage the shine.
Why it matters: Cleaning things on a regular basis keeps dirt from building up and getting in the way of folding gears and moving parts. Getting rid of fingerprints and sticky residue makes the stroller look better and keeps dirt from getting on your hands or the hands of your child.
When to do it: After going to dirty parks or sandy beaches, clean the frame. For normal use, clean the frame all the way through at least once a month. If you use the stroller every day, do it more often.
Fabric and Seat Maintenance
How to do it:
- For spills and spots: Clean immediately with a damp cloth and small amount of gentle detergent suitable for fabrics. Blot rather than rub to prevent spreading the stain.
- Weekly cleaning: Use a vacuum with brush attachment to remove crumbs, dust, and debris from the seat fabric, canopy, and crevices where food particles collect.
- Deep cleaning: Check your stroller's instruction manual first. Many strollers have removable fabric covers that can be machine washed on a gentle cycle with mild detergent. Always air dry completely before reattaching to prevent mildew and mold. Never put fabric parts in a dryer unless specifically allowed by the manufacturer.
Why it matters: Clean fabric prevents stains from setting in and removes abrasive particles that can wear down the material over time. Regular cleaning is especially important for hygiene since children often touch, chew on, or rest their faces against the fabric.
When to do it: Address spills immediately. Vacuum the fabric weekly if you use the stroller regularly. Machine wash removable fabric parts seasonally or whenever they become noticeably soiled.
Storage Basket Cleaning
How to do it: Empty all items from the storage basket after each use. Regularly wipe down the basket with a damp cloth or vacuum it to remove accumulated dirt, sand, leaves, or food crumbs that collect during outings.
Why it matters: A clean storage basket prevents dirt from transferring to your belongings and other parts of the stroller. Keeping it clean also ensures you always have space available for carrying essentials during outings.
When to do it: Empty the basket after each trip. Clean it thoroughly once a week, or more frequently if you often carry snacks or travel through sandy or dusty environments.
Step 2: Keep Your Stroller Wheels Rolling Smoothly
Proper wheel maintenance makes your stroller easier to push and more comfortable for your child. Focus on these three important tasks:
Remove Debris from Wheels Monthly
How to do it: Inspect the wheels, axles, and swivel mechanisms where the front wheels pivot. Remove any tangled hair, string, mud, or grit that's accumulated. Use an old toothbrush, a stiff brush, or tweezers to clean hard-to-reach areas. Wipe everything clean with a damp cloth when finished.
Why it matters: Hair and debris wrapped around axles or stuck in wheel mechanisms creates friction that makes pushing harder and steering more difficult. Clean wheels roll and turn more smoothly, and prevent unnecessary wear on bearings and plastic parts.
When to do it: Clean wheels thoroughly once a month. If you often use your stroller on beaches, muddy trails, or gravel paths, check and clean more frequently.
Maintain Proper Tire Pressure for Air-Filled Tires
How to do it: For strollers with air-filled tires (common on jogging or all-terrain models), check tire pressure with a bicycle pump that has a pressure gauge. Find the recommended PSI (pounds per square inch) printed on the tire's sidewall and inflate to that level.
Why it matters: Properly inflated tires make the stroller easier to push, reduce the risk of flats, and prevent damage to the wheel rims. They also provide better cushioning for a smoother ride and make the stroller easier to maneuver.
When to do it: Check air-filled tires at least once a month, as they naturally lose pressure over time. For frequent use, check every two weeks.
Apply Silicone Lubricant to Moving Parts
How to do it: Use silicone-based lubricant (not oil-based products) on wheel axles and front wheel swivel mechanisms. Apply sparingly and wipe away any excess with a clean cloth.
Why it matters: Proper lubrication reduces friction, prevents squeaking, ensures wheels spin freely, and helps protect against rust and corrosion. Silicone lubricants won't attract dust and dirt like oil-based products do.
When to do it: Lubricate moving parts every 1-3 months. If you notice squeaking or stiffness when pushing or turning the stroller, it's time to reapply.
Step 3: Inspect Your Stroller's Frame, Joints, and Mechanisms
Regular inspection of your stroller's structure ensures it remains safe and functions properly. Focus on these three critical checks:
Check for Loose or Damaged Parts Monthly
How to do it: Thoroughly examine the stroller frame for any damage like bent tubes, cracks near joints, or rust. Run your hands over connection points to feel for loose parts. Verify all screws, bolts, and rivets are present and tight. If you find a loose fastener, gently tighten it with the appropriate tool, but don't overtighten as this could damage the components.
Why it matters: The frame is critical for your stroller's safety. Loose fasteners or damaged sections compromise stability and could lead to dangerous failures while your child is in the stroller.
When to do it: Perform a complete visual and hands-on inspection monthly.
Test the Folding and Unfolding Action
How to do it: Open and close your stroller several times, paying attention to how it moves. It should operate smoothly without stiffness, grinding, or catching. When unfolded, the frame should lock firmly into position (usually with an audible click). Similarly, check that it latches securely when folded.
Why it matters: A properly working folding mechanism is essential for safety and convenience. You need to be confident the stroller will stay locked open while your child is inside and fold correctly when you need to transport or store it. Stiffness often indicates dirt buildup or that the joints need lubrication.
When to do it: Test the folding mechanism monthly. If it feels stiff, check your manual – you may need to apply silicone lubricant to the hinge points.
Verify All Adjustable Features Work Properly
How to do it: Test every adjustable feature your stroller has – height-adjustable handlebar, reclining seat, adjustable footrest, etc. Move each through its full range of positions. Make sure they move smoothly and lock securely at each setting. Once locked, gently wiggle them to confirm they're stable.
Why it matters: These adjustable features ensure comfort for both you and your child. When they function properly and lock reliably, they prevent unexpected shifts that could be uncomfortable or unsafe, such as a seat back suddenly reclining further.
When to do it: Check all adjustable components monthly, or immediately if you notice any unusual movement or instability.
Step 4: Test Your Stroller's Critical Safety Features
These safety checks are very important and should become a regular part of your parenting to keep your child safe.
Check Brake Function Before Every Use
How to do it: Test your brakes every time you use them. Use the parking brake the way the instructions say to on your stroller. Once it's in place, use modest force to move the stroller forward and backward. The wheels should be locked all the way and not move at all. Then, let go of the brake and make sure the wheels can turn without any problems.
Why it matters: The parking brake is an important safety feature that keeps your stroller from rolling away when you take your hands off the handlebars, go up or down a hill, or get close to traffic. For your child's safety, you must make sure the brakes work properly.
When to do it: Perform a quick brake check (engage, push, release) before every single use of your stroller. Do a more thorough test weekly to ensure the brakes lock solidly and release completely.
Examine the Harness System Regularly
How to do it: Check all five points of the 5-point harness system before putting your child in the stroller. Check to see if the straps are breaking, getting thinner, cut, or flawed. Check the stitching, especially where the straps meet the seat or the places where they can be adjusted. To test the buckle, click it shut, gently pull on the straps that are attached to make sure it holds well, and make sure it opens properly when you press the release button. Also, make sure that the strap extenders work well and stay the length you set them to.
Why it matters: The seatbelt is what holds your child safely in the stroller seat. If the straps are broken or the buckle doesn't work right, it could put your child's safety at risk.
When to do it: Before each use, quickly check the straps and make sure the buckle works. Once a month, do a more thorough check for wear and tear.
Take Care of Your Stroller Regularly!
Taking care of your stroller doesn't take a lot of time; you just need to do it regularly. To protect your child and your investment, you should clean important parts, keep the wheels in good shape, check the frame, and test the safety features. This will help your stroller last longer and work better. It only takes a few minutes. Always look at the manual that came with your stroller for exact directions. If you do these simple things to take care of your stroller, it will stay safe and work well for all of your trips.