Babies have a special knack for making messes, especially at mealtime, often getting more food on and around their highchairs than in their mouths. Cleaning up sticky food residue, spilled formula or breast milk, spit-up, and even diaper leaks can be a mealtime standard, but the buildup of minor spills or missed messes can cause stains, discoloration, and foul odors.

A regular cleaning schedule is essential not only to keep your child's high chair in good condition but to reduce the risk of sickness from dangerous bacteria and foodborne illness.

Daily cleaning should consist of brushing off loose crumbs, wiping the chair down with a damp cloth to remove food particles, and sanitizing the tray. Take it a step further once a week by cleaning and disinfecting the entire chair, tray, and legs. Lastly, once a month, disassemble the high chair, wash the cushions and straps, and remove any particularly stubborn messes you hadn't gotten to already.

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

Directions for Cleaning a High Chair:

Before cleaning, check the high chair Owner's Manual for specific care instructions.

Sanitizing the tray (daily)

1. Apply cleaner. Spray full-strength Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner on the high chair tray.
2. Rinse. Wipe the tray again with a clean, damp cloth.
3. Sanitize with Simple Green Clean Finish Disinfectant Cleaner. To sanitize/deodorize hard, non-porous surfaces hold the container six to eight inches from the surface to be treated. Spray area until it is covered with the product. Allow the surface to remain visibly wet for 5 seconds. Let surface dry.
4. Rinse. Wipe the tray down one more time with a clean, damp cloth.

Cleaning and Disinfecting the Chair (weekly)

1. Apply cleaner. Spray full-strength Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner on the high chair surface from top to bottom.
2. Rinse. Wipe thoroughly with a clean, damp cloth, wringing and rinsing it in the sink as your damp-wipe away the Simple Green and messes.
3. DISINFECTING, DEODORIZING: Remove gross filth or heavy soil before applying Simple Green Clean Finish Disinfectant Cleaner. Apply product with a hand pump trigger sprayer. Hold sprayer six to eight inches from the surface to be treated. Spray area until it is covered with the product. Allow surface to remain visibly wet for 2 minutes. No scrubbing necessary. Allow treated surfaces to air dry or wipe off with a clean cloth. Food-contact surfaces must be damp-wiped or rinsed after 2 minutes and it is advised to also damp-wipe the seat and other surfaces baby’s skin will touch.

Disassemble and Clean (monthly)

1. Remove the tray, if possible. The best way to clean a high chair tray is to remove it and wash it in your sink. Wash with soapy water, just as you would regular dishes.
2. Remove the cushions. If your child's high chair has a seat cushion or backing pad, remove them to clean the chair beneath. Wipe away dirt and crumbs with a cloth or remove them with a handheld vacuum attachment. These pads can also be cleaned using the steps below.
3. Remove the straps. Use this tip for further instructions on how to clean high chair straps.
4. Lay down a tarp, newspaper, cardboard, or large trash bag. This will catch any cleaning product drips or loose food from the high chair.
5. Apply cleaner. Spray full-strength Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner on the high chair surface from top to bottom.
6. Scrub. For visible soils and hard-to-reach areas, scrub with a nylon-bristle brush or toothbrush.
7. Rinse. Rinse with water or damp-wipe the entire high chair.
8. DISINFECTING, DEODORIZING: Remove gross filth or heavy soil before applying Simple Green Clean Finish Disinfectant Cleaner. Apply product with a hand pump trigger sprayer. Hold sprayer six to eight inches from the surface to be treated. Spray area until it is covered with the product. Allow surface to remain visibly wet for 2 minutes. No scrubbing necessary. Allow treated surfaces to air dry or wipe off with a clean cloth. Food-contact surfaces must be damp-wiped or rinsed after 2 minutes and it is advised to also damp-wipe the seat and other surfaces baby’s skin will touch.
9. Dry and reassemble. Let the high chair, tray, and cushion/backing pad air dry. Then reassemble the chair.