Here's how to get those sticky snacks off your kid's stroller

Until I became a parent, I had no real understanding of how dirty my house was. Caring for a child entails lots and lots of cleaning, from the endless day-to-day tasks, like bottles to the bigger projects like high chairs and strollers, it seems like everything your baby touches becomes immediately grimy.

You wouldn't want to sit in a sticky, stained seat and neither does your kiddo, so taking the time to clean this baby-toting essential is important. It's certainly easiest to give your stroller a quick wipe down every time you use it. However, if your stroller is overdue for a deep clean, and it's giving you the "Ick," we've got you covered.

Here's our step-by-step guide on how to clean a stroller. You can take it from filthy to fabulous.

What you need

• Vacuum: A portable hand vacuum is the easiest to maneuver, but any vacuum that has a crevice attachment will suffice for removing crumbs and sand.
• Mild laundry or dish soap: Fill up a bucket with warm water mixed with your favorite mild soap—we're partial to Seventh Generation— for scrubbing stains on your stroller's upholstery.
• Disinfectant wipes: For cleaning hard surfaces, you can't beat the ease of disinfectant wipes. Keep a packet in your stroller all the time to quicky wipe down high-touch surfaces like cup holders and the snack tray.
• Toothbrush: A toothbrush is helpful for scrubbing out stubborn stains and getting into hard-to-reach seams.
• Cloth towels: Soft cotton rags are useful for both cleaning the stroller and drying it once you're finished.

A quick clean of your stroller should take about 20 minutes. However, if you're contending with a really dirty stroller and you need to take it apart and wash all the components, it may take up to two hours.

Be sure to account for sufficient time to let any fabric air dry before putting it back on the stroller. You want to avoid mildew setting in.

How to clean a stroller like a pro

1. Vacuum up crumbs

Use your vacuum to get rid of all the crumbs or sand that may have gathered in the stroller seat and pockets. Be sure to vacuum between the seat and the back cushions as well as the canopy and basket. It's amazing how much stuff accumulates in the crevices of a stroller.

2. Spot clean

Use the toothbrush and your warm soapy water to scrub any stubborn stains on the fabric.

If the fabric can be removed from the frame and machine washed, it's best to do so is after scrubbing any persistent stains. Consult the stroller manual to ensure that you follow the recommended laundry settings.

3. Clean the frame and the wheels

A disinfectant wipe is the easiest way to clean any metal or plastic components. Wipe down the handles, buckles, and frame of the stroller, and take the extra moment to turn it upside down to clean the underside.

Remove the wheels from the stroller (these usually pop off easily with the click of a button) and wipe them down with a disinfectant wipe or—in the case of lots of grime—wash them with warm and soapy water. Be sure to let the wheels dry thoroughly before placing them back on the stroller.

Depending on your specific stroller, various parts may be removable for easy cleaning. You may even be able to put plastic components such as trays and cup holders into the dishwasher, but again, consult your stroller manual to see which items are dishwasher safe.

4. Dry and reassemble

If you used the washing machine to clean any of the fabric components, allow them to air dry completely before putting them back on the stroller.

How often should I clean my stroller?

As with anything, the more often you use something, the dirtier it gets. If you're a city dweller who uses their stroller daily on public transport, you're going to need to clean it more often. Parents who are fanatical about keeping their stroller clean may want to vacuum and disinfect their stroller's surfaces every week.

At the very least, we recommend giving your stroller a good deep clean every season, and always be sure to clean and disinfect it immediately if it's been the victim of a diaper explosion or a projectile vomiting episode.