A stroller is used almost every day: playground sand, puddles, snow mixed with de-icing salt, dirt on the pavement. It all builds up on the wheels, frame and folding mechanism, and within a few months the stroller squeaks, the wheels drag and rusty spots appear on metal parts.
Regular care takes about an hour and saves you repairs. Here is a full service plan, from the fabric to the wheels and proper storage between seasons or until the next baby.
What you will need
Important: Apply lubricant only to hinges, axles and metal frame parts and always wipe off the excess. There must be no product on the handlebar, bumper bar or anything your child touches. Do the work outdoors or on a balcony, with the child elsewhere.
Step 1
Remove and wash the fabric
Start with the manual: it usually shows how to remove the seat cover, hood and mattress. If you have lost it, look up your model on the manufacturer's website.
Vacuum crumbs and sand from the fabric and treat stains with cool to lukewarm water and mild soap. Avoid hot water, as the fabric may shrink and no longer fit the frame. Machine wash only if the care label allows it. Dry completely, otherwise odours and mould will follow.
Step 2
Wash the frame
Wash the whole frame with warm soapy water and a sponge. The most stubborn dirt sits around the wheels and under the basket, where a brush helps. In winter, rinse off de-icing salt thoroughly: it attacks metal faster than anything else.
Dry the frame with a cloth, paying attention to gaps and joints.
Step 3
Protect metal parts from rust
Spray a little WD-40 Multi-Use onto a dry cloth rather than directly on the frame, and wipe over the metal tubes and brackets. The thin film displaces moisture, guards against corrosion and leaves an even shine.
Then wipe everything again with a clean dry cloth to remove excess product and any remaining dirt.
Step 4
Lubricate the folding hinges
Most strollers fold, so the frame has hinges, catches and pivots. Over time they start to squeak when folding and unfolding. Use the thin straw of WD-40 Smart Straw to put a drop into each hinge, then fold and unfold the stroller a few times.
Plastic locking and backrest adjustment mechanisms are best treated with WD-40 Specialist Silicone, which is safe on plastic and rubber. Wipe off the excess straight away.
Step 5
Clean and lubricate the wheels
Wheels and brakes must be free of dirt. Wash off sand and mud with a mild detergent, and for a deep clean remove the wheels to reach the axles, bearings and brake mechanism.
Apply WD-40 to axles and bearings, spin the wheel and wipe off the surplus. For plastic bushes and swivel wheels, WD-40 Specialist Silicone works well and attracts less dust. If the tyres are pneumatic, check and adjust the pressure.
Step 6
Store the stroller properly
If the stroller is being kept for a future baby, do not leave it in a damp cellar, garage or outdoors: moisture rusts the frame and makes fabric smell and rot. Treat the frame with WD-40 Multi-Use before storage and keep it somewhere dry.
Avoid loading pneumatic tyres on one spot for months: hang the stroller, turn it upside down or let some air out of the tyres.
Tip: After a walk on salted snow, simply rinse the wheels and lower frame with warm water and wipe them dry. That one minute in winter protects the stroller better than any spring restoration.
What next
Wipe the frame weekly, lubricate hinges and wheels every 1-2 months and more often in winter. A clean, well-kept stroller rolls easily and holds its value if you decide to sell it later.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».