How To Clean A Pram

No pram can remain free from wear and tear. With messy kids spending loads of time in them, buying one second hand or reusing one that’s been stored in the shed you will likely be cleaning one sooner or later.

We know that weekend is not just for cleaning, with these fabulous cleaning tips you can reset your home in no time at all and relax with a cuppa.

Cleaning your pram can revitalise it and give it a new lease on life. Firstly, always check online with the pram manufacturer for any care and maintenance tips as your pram may need special care or products for cleaning.

But generally most prams can be cleaned in a few simple steps.

Fabric Parts

Many prams have fabric parts that unclip from the chassis and can be washed. The best way to give them a good clean if they don’t fit in the washing machine is to do it in the bathtub.

All removable parts including straps can be hand washed using a chux. Use a towel and roll the parts to remove excess water then dry it flat, out of direct sunshine. Alternatively, put them in the washing machine on the wool cycle.

If you can’t remove the fabric, firstly, vacuum loose dirt or using a lint roller also works for this job. Then either use a high pressure cleaner or a nail brush and cleaning solution to scrub the fabric down. A solution of either white vinegar and water (50/50) which is sprayed onto the Pram until the fabric is moistened thoroughly and scrubbed or make up a solution of baking soda and castile soap (50/50) with a bit of water. Make this into a thick paste and rub into fabric and leave for five minutes then scrub with a nail brush and hose down and dry out of direct sunlight.

Make sure it is a hot sunny day or you may be left with white marks on the fabric.

Cleaning instructions for Leatherette fabrics

Leatherette fabrics must not be cleaned according to the above instructions. Leatherette fabrics should only be cleaned with a drop of mild washing up liquid and then wiped off with a damp chux.

For tips on removing mould from your pram see our post here.

Make sure all parts are completely dry before reassembly. It’s a great idea to apply a material protector (like Scotchgard) on the fabric after washing.

Tyres

Start thinking of your pram as a four wheel drive vehicle. After returning from a walk where mud or other debris is caking your wheels, give your recreational vehicle a wash down.

Scrub tyres with hot soapy water and a scrubbing brush and any chrome or metal should be washed and then polished with WD-40.

Your local bike shop will be able to supply inner tubes or tyre repairs much cheaper than the pram manufacturer. They can even undertake a minor wheel alignment.

Chassis

Again, like any vehicle that may have been near the beach or on sand, rinse off your pram chassis on return home to reduce the chance of rust forming. Severely scratched frames can be sanded and repainted if required. Products used for polishing out car paint scratched can also help reduce the appearance of scratched in the chassis.

Removing rust

Use rust eater/removal products available at car general supply stores such as Repco or Super Cheap Auto, as per the instructions. To ensure you are using the right product for the type of metal your chassis is made from, discuss with the experts at the store which product is best depending on whether your chassis is made from chrome or powder coated metal.

WD-40

WD-40 can be used to clean up and polish metal parts, grease mechanisms and is particularly effective for returning shine to black plastic moldings and the foam handles on a pram.

Use nail polish remover with a chux to remove stickers, paint and to clean any powder coated aluminum areas.

How grubby is your pram? What are your best tips for cleaning those hard to reach places?