Do you own a Nuna PIPA infant car seat and you are looking for a way to keep it clean and in tip-top shape?
In this post, I’ll be diving into the Nuna Pipa manufacturer’s recommended cleaning instructions so that your little one can always travel in a clean and comfy car seat.
I have already written a post about general cleaning tips for a car seat, check it out.
Important Note: Before cleaning the straps, ensure the car seat has not expired and it is still in good condition for use. Here is how to check for your car seat expiry. If your Nuna Pipa has already expired, here is how to get rid of it.
How to take the Nuna Pipa seat apart for washing
Before we go ahead with the cleaning instructions, you have to learn how to break down the Nuna PIPA car seat first.
Here we go, this is how you do it.
Put the Nuna PIPA handle all the way back
Putting the car seat handle on the back will make it easier for you to access the fabric cover and remove it without difficulty.
To do that follow these easy steps:
- Locate the push buttons on the sides of the car seat
- Press the push buttons simultaneously
- rotate the handle to the back of the seat.
Take off the Nuna PIPA canopy
To remove the Nuna Pipa car seat canopy do this:
- Locate the release buttons on the side to detach the canopy bars
- Unfasten the velcro attachments on the back of the car seat to remove the canopy
- Remove the plastic insert that’s holding the canopy shape.
Remove the Nuna PIPA fabric cover
To remove the cover fabric of the Nuna Pipa, do the following:
- Remove the shoulder straps
- Unbuckle the harness straps and remove the small padding on them.
- Slowly start pulling the car seat cover from the base. Be careful with the little plastic clips/hooks that attach the cover to the side and back of the car seat. Don’t yank the hooks, slide them off slowly.
- Once you are done with the sides of the cover. Flip the car seat upside down to remove the shoulder straps.
- Take the shoulder strap metal buckle and slide both straps out through the small opening.
- Flip the car seat back and pull out the released straps
- The last step is to slide the buckle clips through the openings in the cover to detach the fabric cover from the seat base finally.
If you are more of a visual person, watch this Youtube video that explains these steps one by one.
How to wash the Nuna Pipa car seat
Now that your Nupa Pipa car seat is dismantled, the next step would be to clean the individual parts thoroughly following the Nuna cleaning guidelines.
Things you will need to clean the Nuna Pipa car seat:
Mild soap (recommended: ECOS® Hypoallergenic Laundry Detergent)
Clean cloths or sponges (recommended: Microfiber cleaning cloths )
Water
Important note: Cleaning your Pipa car seat may take some time for it to dry completely. To ensure that the car seat is safe for use and to prevent mold growth, it’s important to clean it when you’re not planning to use it for a few days.
Now, let’s dive into the cleaning process.
How to wash the fabrics on the Nuna Pipa car seat?
The Nuna Pipa car seat fabric is machine washable.
Put the car seat cover, the shoulder pads, and the canopy into the washing machine, add mild detergent (nothing too harsh), and let it wash on a delicate cycle. Use cold water only.
Once it’s done, let the fabrics drip dry. Do not machine dry them as it can damage the materials.
If you have an infant insert, you can machine wash that as well and let it air dry. The same rule, no machine drying.
How to clean the harness straps on the Nuna Pipa?
The harness system should be cleaned with mild soap and water and allowed to air dry.
To do that, make a cleaning solution by mixing mild soap with water. Spot-clean the straps by targeting the areas with dirt, stains, or debris.
You should avoid soaking your car seat straps in water. Also, using bleach or fabric softeners can weaken the straps.
Once the straps are clean, hang or lay flat to air dry, and avoid exposing them to direct sunlight or heat.
How to clean the buckles on the Nuna Pipa car seat?
To clean the Nuna Pipa buckles and metal clips, mix a small amount of mild soap with water to create a cleaning solution.
Dip a clean cloth into the solution and gently scrub the buckles, being careful not to soak the buckles.
Once clean, use a clean and dry cloth to remove all soap residue. Allow the buckle to air dry completely, avoiding direct sunlight or heat.
How to clean the frame of the Nuna Pipa car seat?
To clean the frame of the Nuna Pipa car seat use mild soap. Wipe down the frame with a soft, clean cloth soaked a little bit in the soap. Don’t forget to clean all the nooks and crannies of the frame.
Let the frame air dry completely before reassembling the car seat. Avoid using chemicals cleaners, or excessive water when cleaning the frame.
Things not to do when cleaning the Nuna Pipa car seat
When cleaning your expensive Nuna PIPA car seat, it’s essential to keep in mind that are certain things that can damage the integrity of the car seat.
So, to keep your car seat safe for your child:
Do not use bleach or harsh chemicals on your car seat and do not dry clean. Use of cleaning agents such as these can damage your car seat and cause deterioration of the materials.
Do not soak or submerge your whole car seat in water. Certain parts of the car seat are not supposed to be completely soaked. Instead, follow the cleaning instructions given by the manufacturer.
Avoid using a hair dryer, heater, or any other source of high heat to dry the car seat, as this can cause the material to shrink or warp.
Avoid making any modifications to the car seat, such as removing or replacing the upholstery or changing the straps or buckles. These modifications can compromise the car seat’s safety unless recommended by the Nuna manufacturer.
How to put the Nuna PIPA car seat back
Now that you are done cleaning your Pipa car seat, it is time to put it back altogether.
That shouldn’t be hard if you are the one that took it apart but just in case, here is a video on how to assemble your Nuna Pipa car seat after cleaning.
Also, make sure to check your Nuna Pipa car seat manual. Here is a downloadable version (Download here)
The Bottom Line
Cleaning your Nuna infant car seat is not an easy task I agree. But to avoid going through this laborious process every time, try to stay on top of regular maintenance.
Vacuuming the seat frequently and spot-cleaning any spills or stains as soon as they happen can prevent dirt and grime from building up on your car seat.
By taking these simple steps, you can keep your Nuna Pipa infant car seat clean and well-maintained with less effort and hassle.
If you need more information on how to clean a safety car seat in general, check out this post.
