We are no stranger to mould, especially in Singapore’s humid climate. Humidity encourages the growth of mould, and mould thrives in damp conditions. We tend to keep bulky items in storage areas which actually manifests the growth of mould.
Have you ever been in the situation where Baby #2 is on the way and you decided to reuse stroller that Baby #1 grew out of, only to find that there are white patches all over the fabric?
Alas! Your baby stroller has been infested by mould.
Here are a few reasons your car seat or stroller turned mouldy.
- You store your stroller in a dark and damp location
Baby strollers put away in storage for long periods could have mildewed or developed mold in the fabric. With Singapore’s humid weather, storerooms are actually a poorly ventilated location for anything.
Therefore, don’t ever store your stroller in the storeroom!
If you absolutely have to, try using drying agents in such enclosed areas. They help to absorb the moisture and it is also a good gauge to know how humid the area is (the faster it collects water, the higher the humidity levels). Remember to replace it with a new one once it is 95-100% full.
- You fail to clean up food or formula promptly
When you do not attend to leftover food bits or spilled milk promptly, it will support the growth of bacteria, yeast, and mould. That is why it is important to clean your baby stroller often or if you need help, send it to a specialised pram-cleaning service like PramWash.
- It is a continuous battle with mould
Due to high humidity levels in Singapore, storerooms are not spared and coupled with poor ventilation, they are the worst places to store leather and fabrics.
PramWash has customer cases where they kept their strollers in the storeroom for several months after collecting them back from the wash, only to find mould growth when they retrieved them from the storeroom.
Use the stroller as soon as it has been washed, or schedule for a wash nearer to the date when they are expected to be used.
What You Should Do and Not Do When Your Stroller Turns Mouldy:
- Do not help to introduce moisture into your storage areas. Never fold the stroller when wet or damp and always make sure that the stroller is dry before storing.
- Do not clean up mouldy gear in the house, especially not near an infant. Mould can cause health problems like allergies, nasal stuffiness, wheezing, skin irritation and respiratory problems. Mould exposure is dangerous as it can give off toxic fumes; it should be eliminated as soon as it is spotted.
- Do use moisture-absorbing agents in dark storage areas. There are some good brands on the market so purchase some powerful ones and ensure they cover the necessary areas.
- Do send your second-hand infant car seats or strollers to the wash before letting a new baby sit in them. This is to ensure we take out the dirt, bacteria and sweat that may come with previous usage, as well as bed bugs/insects which might have already found their residence in that dirty car seat or stroller!
Before and after photos of car seat from PramWash's customer
Conclusion
Given the local weather condition, it is impossible to eliminate the growth of mould totally, which is why baby gear should be sent for regular wash. The specialists at PramWash advise to give it a regular wash at least every quarter.
Store the baby gear in a dry location when not in use. Otherwise, take it outside once in a while to bask in some sun.
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