Let’s be honest, I doubt many of you have every serviced your pushchair, buggy or stroller. But, the chances are you want to keep your investment (because that’s what a pushchair is these days) for as long as possible, in as good a working order as possible.
Pushchairs and buggies do require a certain amount of maintenance to ensure they stay in working order – rust-free, clean and always lubricated (no squeaky wheels!). But don’t worry there are simple things you can do to keep yours in tip-top condition.
Damon Marriott, Head of Product Development at Joie UK, shares his top tips to help you to maintain your buggy, whatever conditions you use it in!
Avoid sand and sea water
Beach visits are a great day out for the family, but they’re also an environment that can cause havoc for your buggy! If you’ve had a great day out by the sea, it’s very important to take care of your buggy shortly afterward.
Make sure you rinse off the sand and seawater as sea salt is damaging to metal frames and working mechanisms and can get in the crevices causing rust. Clean the buggy using hot soapy water or a bike cleaning spray, and especially focus on the wheels and brake system, as rust can also be a problem here and prevent them from functioning properly.
Also, remember to dust off any sand that might have been deposited in the basket area as this can often get forgotten. Once cleaned, lubricate again with a
Keep your pushchair bone dry
Sometimes you just have to leave the house even though the rain is pouring outside and you end up returning with a soaking buggy. In these
Place the buggy in an area where it can air dry. If the sun does appear then you can leave to dry outside, but a heated room will work just as well. The most important thing is to avoid leaving it wet and folded up in your car or cupboard, it won’t dry properly and will cause your car or home to become damp and it won’t smell that great either!
If you have a rain cover on then make sure you hang this up to dry before you pack it away again too.
Wipe clean
It’s also important to maintain the fabric on your buggy. Give the surface a good clean with warm water and a damp cloth, using mild soap. A soft fabric brush (or even a toothbrush) can be also helpful to scrub any areas that might require extra attention.
With a dry towel, wipe away excess water and soap and let the buggy air dry in a warm place. Avoid using bleach or harsh chemicals as they may perish the fabric and be potentially dangerous to your little one.
Finally, we recommend only machine washing buggy fabrics that specify they are machine washable as not all are. Never tumble dry any fabrics.
Lubricate your brakes
Of all the parts of the buggy, the moving mechanisms are the most important ones to maintain. This includes the wheels, brakes and the recline and folding features. Keep them not only clean, but more importantly, keep them lubricated. If you do, the lifetime of your stroller will be hugely extended.
For example: if you have squeaky wheels you can easily fix this with regular lubrication, this is the same for any other part of the buggy. If you start to find the brake pedal stiff to apply then lubricate it, ideally do this once a month to keep in good working order.
We recommend using a dry silicone spray lubricant
Also, if your buggy has air
Tyre pressure is affected by heat and can cause the rims to warp, so store your buggy in a cool place to keep them at the advised level. Your buggy will be easier to push and
Happy servicing!
About the Author:
Damon Marriott is the Head of Product Development, Joie UK
