When Kaelyn Arblaster first stumbled across the idea of cleaning baby car seats as a business, it immediately clicked.
“I saw a mom on social media who cleaned car seats at night after her kids went to bed,” Arblaster said. “I thought, ‘wow, that’s such a great idea.’”
Arblaster, a stay-at-home mom of two, launched Seat Spa in late May. She said the business was born out of both practicality and passion. With her husband’s love for car detailing and her own experience as a parent juggling sticky fingers and spilled snacks, the couple realized they could combine their skills into something useful.
“He loves car detailing, but with two young kids, a full detailing job takes hours, and he just didn’t have that kind of time,” she said. “This gave us the flexibility to do it when our kids were asleep, and it was even good time for us to spend together — just in the kitchen, cleaning car seats and having a conversation.”
The service Seat Spa provides is more than just cosmetic. Arblaster says many parents underestimate the hidden dangers of an uncleaned car seat.
“Mold is a big one,” she said. “People don’t realize it, but even a little spilled milk can sit in the heat and grow into something nasty. You wouldn’t believe how many car seats come to me looking clean, but once I start, the amount of dirt I find is shocking.”
She recommends a professional cleaning at least twice a year, especially for families who travel often.
The couple’s process is thorough. Once booked, they pick up the seat in the evening when families are winding down for the night, inspect it for damage, and disassemble it. The next morning, the freshly cleaned seat is delivered back to the family — ready for the day ahead. Safety checks are a priority throughout the process.
“A lot of people don’t know it, but your styrofoam could get damaged,” Arblaster explained. “If, God forbid, you got in a car accident, that styrofoam is there to help protect your child — it actually does a lot.”
The cleaning itself involves air compressors for crevices, brushes for crumbs, and a diluted vinegar solution for a non-toxic finish.
“We believe in non-toxic, so we use a very diluted vinegar and spot clean,” she said. “And once it’s all clean and put back together, we usually put bubbles with it, because that’s kind of like our thing.”
So far, the response has been encouraging. Arblaster said parents are often stunned when they see the before-and-after photos Seat Spa provides with each job.
“Parents are always like, ‘Oh wow,’” she said. “It’s amazing how much dirt and mess come out of those car seats.”
For now, Arblaster says she’s content keeping Seat Spa small and flexible. While she’s considered expanding to items like strollers, she’s focused on serving families one car seat at a time.
“I think we like the way things are right now,” she said. “Getting more clients is always okay, but we’re good with the track we’re on.”
Families can book cleanings through Seat Spa’s Facebook page, which includes an online portal and contact information.
