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Cleaning a highchair

(16 Posts)
kittylester Thu 08-May-14 15:59:00

I really should have thought further ahead when I bought a high chair for DGS1 and spent a bit more - I should have realised more DGC would turn up.

The one I bought was cheapish and the seat and straps are not detachable consequently they have become very stained .

How can I clean it with everything still in situ?

I've tried squirty cleaner and a nail brush but to very little avail and the whole thing looks revolting!

rosequartz Thu 08-May-14 16:22:14

Better to look a bit stained than to use very strong cleaner I would have thought, as long as it it scrubbed, just in case they suck the straps.

DGS (then aged about 2) and I cleaned his high chair in the garden when I was staying with them a few years ago. We ended up hosing it down, I don't know who or what got wetter, the high chair, him or me. I think I was wettest as he had great fun squirting me. It was hot and sunny luckily.

rosequartz Thu 08-May-14 16:22:50

Not very helpful, sorry, but it just reminded me!

J52 Thu 08-May-14 16:44:58

Try a mixture of 2 parts white vinegar and 1 part peroxide. I know this mixture sanitises, and may clean stains. Stains in plastics are very hard to remove. Good luck. X

Mishap Thu 08-May-14 16:59:24

I always think that the purpose of highchairs is to build up children's immune systems! - they are completely uncleanable.

rosequartz Thu 08-May-14 17:01:50

I was going to suggest a mixture of lemon juice and salt (well rinsed afterwards!), then I saw this:

www.bbc.co.uk/homes/housekeeping/bettystips_index.shtml

Mishap grin

rockgran Thu 08-May-14 17:13:44

I used to steam clean my grandson's high chair. (Not while he was in it of course!)

Soutra Thu 08-May-14 17:16:40

Gave up on the idea and bought the cheapest imaginable from that well know Swedish store- unbeatable!

Nanabelle Thu 08-May-14 22:15:31

Hello everyone - I am new here (but have been reading and enjoying the forum for sometime). My two young grandchildren both have the Swedish hair chair the same as Soutra's on the recommendation of a young mum who said the ones with padded inserts were so difficult to keep clean.
I bought a cheap second hand h.chair for their visits here but it has a sloping back and tiny tray, so am now buying an I..a one instead, which has a lovely straight back and is dead easy to wipe clean.
Maybe bicarbonate of soda and an e-cloth might work on stains? Also I have found plain soap and e-cloth also works very well. Good luck with it!

Penstemmon Thu 08-May-14 22:25:31

I made a soap powder paste to put on the fixed straps then dunked the
stupid chair upside down into a large bucked to rinse it. Worked a bit!hmm

Penstemmon Thu 08-May-14 22:25:52

Bucket!!!

Ana Thu 08-May-14 22:43:46

Oh, throw it out, kitty - it's served its purpose! grin

(If the need arises, new ones are pretty cheap these days...)

Nelliemoser Thu 08-May-14 22:47:25

DD bought a second hand Ikea high chair for her home and then got another one for my house very cheaply on Ebay from a home
local to me..
The Ikea make was suggested to her by friends.

They are very cheap on Ebay. www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/ikea-white-highchair

They are very sturdy easy to clean and and you can dismantle them.

You could cut the mucky straps off and just use an old style harness, which is what I did when mine were small.

kittylester Fri 09-May-14 10:02:49

I discounted the Ikea one because it could not be collapsed and put away under the stairs! Stupid idea - it never gets put away!

As our youngest DGD is only 7 months old it will have to stay for a while - getting grubbier. Why is it always orange coloured? confused

Might contemplate your idea of removing the straps Nellie when I can't stand it any longer!

Thanks to you all for your suggestions. flowers

kittylester Fri 16-May-14 13:43:02

Just resurrected this to say that DH was power washing one of the patios this morning so I persuaded him to blast the highchair. It worked - well, after I had pointed out that it was the straps that were filthy - he was busy cleaning the legs - bless! grin

Dragonfly1 Fri 16-May-14 14:19:26

What a good idea Kitty! I might try that! Mine's beginning to look a bit orange now, too..... And it's an orange that never fades, isn't it? I have a favourite pair of trainers that still bear the scars from a fight with a tuna pasta baby meal five years ago, despite regularly being shoved in the washing machine.