| One of the most useful accessories that you can use | | | | improvise one by using a small blanket or towel to line |
| for your child's car seat is a removable seat cover. | | | | the seat (for many booster seats, a full sized bath |
| With such a cover, cleaning up after even the | | | | towel will work well). You can keep the cover in place |
| messiest child becomes simply a matter of removing, | | | | with clips or tacks; just make sure they aren't where |
| washing, and replacing the cover (and perhaps | | | | your child can reach them, or where they can poke |
| washing harnesses or straps by hand), instead of | | | | your child. Then, whenever the cover gets dirty, it can |
| having to spend time trying to remove dirt and food | | | | simply be removed, washed, and replaced, as with a |
| from all of the surfaces and crevices of the seat, itself. | | | | commercial cover. |
| Many child car seat manufacturers make removable | | | | If you do not wish to use a seat cover, the entire car |
| covers available for purchase. These covers are easy | | | | seat can be washed by hand, using a mild soap and |
| to remove and replace, and can be machine washed | | | | warm water. Strong or abrasive cleaners should be |
| and dried as part of your normal household laundry. | | | | avoided, as they can have a cumulative damaging |
| This will help to keep the cover sanitary and free of | | | | effect on the seat's materials, which may lead to a |
| dirt and food stains. Not only will a cover be a | | | | shortening of the useful life of the seat. |
| convenience for you, but it will also help to extend the | | | | You can use an outdoor water hose to help reach into |
| life of the seat by keeping cleaning chemicals away | | | | the crevices of the seat, but be sure to keep the |
| from the surfaces of the seat, itself. | | | | water pressure low enough so as not to damage the |
| If your car seat manufacturer does not sell a cover | | | | surfaces of the seat. The seat should be allowed to |
| for it, it may be possible to buy a separate cover that | | | | dry completely before it is reinstalled in the vehicle. It |
| will fit well. Some retailers sell covers that will fit a | | | | may seem tempting to leave the seat out in direct |
| variety of different seat sizes. They are quite | | | | sunlight to dry, but this can have a cumulative effect |
| affordable, easy to install, and are very comfortable | | | | that can lead to ruining the padding inside the seat, |
| for your child to sit on. These covers are simple to | | | | which will make the seat uncomfortable for your child |
| remove for easy clean up, and are waterproof, which | | | | to use. |
| will help to contain spills, and the wetness from diapers. | | | | All in all, the cost of a seat cover is a small price to |
| The covers come in a variety of sizes, colors, and | | | | pay for the ease and convenience it will provide in |
| designs, so that you should be able to find one that | | | | helping you keep your child's seat clean and sanitary, |
| both fits and matches your child's seat. | | | | and in prolonging the life of the seat. |
| As an alternative to a commercial seat cover, you can | | | | |