Grime

• Everyday grime is probably the most common cleaning problem on infant carrier straps. As much as you try to keep your hands clean, a small amount of anything you touch often stays on your hands and combines with the natural oils in your skin. When you pick up and adjust the straps of the carrier as you put it on, gray or dingy areas will eventually appear.
  
  Spray the stained area with a commercial laundry prewash. Let it soak for the time listed on the product. Then launder in a solution of warm water and a few tablespoons of liquid laundry detergent. Gently rub the fabric together to work out the stain. Rinse thoroughly.
  
  

Baby Food

• For light-colored baby food, such as cereal and applesauce, mix 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap with 2 cups of cool water. Dip a white cloth or sponge into the soapy water and dab it onto the stain. Switch to a dry sponge or cloth and blot the wet area to pull out the stain. Continue dabbing and blotting until the stain is gone. When the strap is clean, dab and blot once more, but use only clear, cold water.
  
  For colorful baby food stains, such as orange carrots and green vegetables, first scrape off as much of the food residue as possible. Hold the strap under cold running water to flush out the stain. Then treat it with a laundry presoak and launder as instructed for grime.
  
  

Formula

• If your baby spits up formula, enzymes are the key to removing the stain. Soak the straps for 30 minutes or more in a solution of hot water and about 1/4 cup of enzyme laundry detergent. After soaking, apply a small amount of additional enzyme laundry detergent directly onto the stain and rub the fabric together to loosen the stain. Flush the stained area of the strap under hot running water.