High chairs are made for messes, but high chair straps can be difficult to clean. Daily wipe downs don't remove ingrained food particles that can quickly build up and cause staining or skin irritations, so cleaning them regularly is important.

You may not always be able to clean the straps by throwing them in the washing machine or dishwasher because of plastic or metal attachments. In terms of handwashing, sometimes dish soap and water alone don't get the job done. The ever-so-popular white vinegar cleaning solutions lack the surfactants needed to help penetrate and loosen sticky food residue and gunky spots. Moreover, harsh chemicals from some popular cleaning products can leave behind toxic residue that is irritating to the skin.

Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner is a cleaner, degreaser, and deodorizer that removes food residue, dirt, grime, and more without damaging high chair materials. The clean-rinsing formula allows you to clean without worrying about lingering residue that could cause skin irritation or contaminate food.

Need to get the entire high chair clean? Use this tip.

Directions for Cleaning High Chair Straps:

Before cleaning, check the high chair owner's manual for specific care instructions.

Removable Straps

1. Detach the straps.
2. Lay a small towel down to act as an absorbent cleaning surface.
3. Wet straps with water.
4. Apply cleaner. Spray Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner on the straps.
5. Scrub. For visible soils and small crevices, use a nylon-bristle brush or toothbrush to scrub away any gunk.
6. Rinse. Rinse with water or wipe down with a clean, damp cloth.
7. Dry and reassemble. Use a dry cloth or towel to dry the straps, or hang and air dry. Do not machine dry them as they could tangle, melt, shrink, or metals clips and buckles could damage your dryer. Reattach them to the high chair.

Non-Removable Straps

1. If the straps are woven, wet them with water using a damp cloth or rag.
2. Place your hand covered by a clean cloth behind the first strap.
3. Apply cleaner. Spray Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner onto the strap, catching any overspray with your cloth.
4. Scrub. For visible soils, use a nylon-bristled brush or toothbrush to scrub away any gunk.
5. Rinse. Once again, wipe straps with a clean, damp cloth.
6. Repeat for the second strap.
7. Dry. Use a dry cloth or towel to dry the straps, or hang and air dry. Do not dry in a dryer.