Bugaboo prams are built to last — but after months (or years) of daily use, even the Fox, Cameleon, Donkey, and Bee start showing their age. Mud-caked wheels, milk-stained seats, and a hood that’s seen better days. The good news: Bugaboo designed their prams to be cleaned. Most fabric is removable and washable. Here’s exactly how to clean each model properly.
Before you start
Bugaboo makes cleaning relatively easy compared to other brands. Their fabrics are designed to be removed and most are machine washable. A few things to note before you begin:
- Check the fabric type. Bugaboo uses different materials across models and generations. The newer recycled polyester fabrics wash well at 30°C. Older wool or premium fabrics may be hand-wash only — check the care label.
- Take photos before you remove anything. Bugaboo covers clip and hook in multiple places. Reassembly is much easier with a reference.
- Never use bleach, fabric softener, or tumble dry. This applies to every Bugaboo model.
How to clean a Bugaboo Fox
The Fox (and Fox2, Fox3, Fox5) is Bugaboo’s flagship. It has the most fabric panels and the most involved cleaning process.
Seat fabrics
The seat cover, canopy, and basket liner are all removable. Unclip the canopy first (press the release buttons on both sides). The seat cover is held by elastic loops and clips around the frame — work around the edges, unhooking each one. The basket liner lifts out after the seat unit is removed.
Washing: Machine wash all fabric pieces at 30°C, gentle cycle, mild detergent. No fabric softener. Reshape while damp and air dry flat — don’t tumble dry or hang on a radiator.
The bumper bar
The foam bumper bar cover slides off. Hand wash in lukewarm water. The foam underneath can be wiped with a damp cloth if needed.
Frame and wheels
The Fox chassis is powder-coated aluminium. Wipe with a damp cloth and mild detergent. For stubborn marks, a tiny drop of washing up liquid works. Wheels: Remove all four wheels (quick-release on the Fox). Cut tangled hair from the axles — this is the single biggest improvement you can make to how the Fox rolls. Scrub the tyres with warm soapy water.
The bassinet/carrycot
The Fox bassinet mattress cover is removable and washable at 30°C. The mattress itself should be spot-cleaned only with a damp cloth. The carrycot shell can be wiped inside and out. Check the underside ventilation holes for dust.
How to clean a Bugaboo Cameleon
The Cameleon (Cameleon3, Cameleon3 Plus) is the most common second-hand Bugaboo. It’s also the model most likely to need a deep clean because many are 5–10 years old.
Cover removal: The Cameleon covers are similar to the Fox — elastic hooks and clips. The main difference is the Cameleon has a two-piece canopy (extendable section) that unclips separately. The seat cover wraps around the seat frame and hooks underneath.
Washing: Same as Fox — 30°C, gentle cycle. However, if your Cameleon has the older canvas-style fabric (pre-2018), check the label carefully. Some older fabrics shrink at higher temperatures.
Common Cameleon issue: The chassis joints on older Cameleons can get stiff and creaky. While you have the fabric off, spray a tiny amount of silicone lubricant (not WD-40) on the folding joints and recline mechanism. This isn’t a cleaning step, but since you’ve already stripped the pram down, it’s worth doing.
How to clean a Bugaboo Donkey
The Donkey (Donkey3, Donkey5) is the double/mono convertible. It has more fabric than any other Bugaboo — two seat covers, two canopies, a side basket, plus the main basket.
Cover removal: Same clip and hook system as the Fox. The side luggage basket (unique to the Donkey) unclips from the frame. Remove both seat units before taking off covers — it’s much easier with the seats off the chassis.
Washing: 30°C, gentle cycle, all pieces. Wash left and right covers in the same load to ensure they fade (or don’t) evenly.
The extension set: If you convert between mono and duo mode, the side extension fabric and adapters should be wiped down when everything else is being cleaned. Crumbs and sand accumulate in the adapter click mechanism.
How to clean a Bugaboo Bee
The Bee (Bee5, Bee6) is the compact city pram. Less fabric than the Fox, quicker to clean.
Cover removal: The Bee seat cover is one piece that wraps around the seat. Unclip the canopy first, then unhook the seat cover from underneath. The Bee has fewer attachment points than the Fox, so covers come off and go back on faster.
Washing: 30°C, gentle cycle. The Bee canopy is smaller than the Fox and dries much faster.
The Bee’s compact fold: When cleaning, pay extra attention to the folding mechanism joints. Because the Bee folds more compactly than other Bugaboos, crumbs and grime get compressed into the hinges. Use a dry brush to clear them out before wiping.
Bugaboo wheel maintenance (all models)
Every Bugaboo owner notices it eventually: the pram starts pulling to one side, or the wheels feel sluggish. Nine times out of ten, this is hair and thread wrapped around the axles.
- Remove all wheels (quick-release on Fox, Donkey, Bee5+; button release on older Cameleons)
- Cut hair and thread from each axle with scissors
- Wipe the axle pins with a damp cloth
- Scrub the tyres with warm soapy water and a brush
- For foam tyres (Fox, Bee): check for embedded stones or glass
- For air tyres (Cameleon, Donkey rear): check pressure and inflate if needed
- Reattach and test — the difference is usually dramatic
Stubborn stain removal
Bugaboo’s fabrics are relatively stain-resistant, but some marks need extra work:
- Milk stains: Bicarbonate of soda paste, leave 20 minutes, brush off, then machine wash
- Sunscreen marks: These appear as yellow patches on lighter fabrics. Pre-treat with a drop of washing up liquid rubbed into the mark before machine washing
- Mould: If your Bugaboo has been stored damp, you may see mould spots on the hood or seat. A 50/50 white vinegar and water spray, left 10 minutes, then machine washed usually works. For deep mould in the padding, a professional mould treatment is more effective
- Mud: Let it dry completely, brush off the dried mud, then machine wash. Don’t wash while the mud is wet — it pushes deeper into the fabric
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