How to Clean an UPPAbaby: Vista, Cruz & Minu

UPPAbaby prams are premium — and they look it when they’re clean. But the Vista, Cruz, and Minu all attract the same dirt, milk, food, and weather damage as any other pram. The good news: UPPAbaby designed their fabrics to be removable and washable. Here’s how to clean each model without damaging anything.

Before you start

UPPAbaby uses high-quality fabrics that are durable but need proper care. Key things to know:

• All UPPAbaby seat fabrics are machine washable at 30°C on a cold/delicate cycle
• The canopy should be spot-cleaned only — UPPAbaby specifically says not to machine wash canopies as they contain a UPF 50+ sun protection coating that degrades in a washing machine
• Never bleach, tumble dry, or iron any UPPAbaby fabric
• No fabric softener — it breaks down the water-repellent treatment

How to clean an UPPAbaby Vista

The Vista (V2) is UPPAbaby’s full-size travel system. It has the most components: toddler seat, bassinet, bumper bar, and optional second seat.

Toddler seat

Cover removal: Unzip the back panel of the seat fabric. Unhook the elastic loops around the base. Unthread the harness straps through the cover slots. The entire cover lifts off as one piece. Take a photo of how the harness routes through the cover first.

Washing: Machine wash at 30°C, gentle cycle, mild detergent. Reshape while damp and lay flat to air dry.

Bassinet

The bassinet mattress cover zips off and is machine washable at 30°C. The mattress pad itself should be spot-cleaned only. The bassinet apron (wind cover) can be wiped with a damp cloth.

Canopy (DO NOT machine wash)

This is where UPPAbaby differs from Bugaboo. The canopy must not be machine washed. The UPF 50+ coating will be damaged. Instead: wipe the exterior with a damp cloth and mild soap. For marks on the interior, spot clean with a damp cloth. If the canopy has mould spots, a very light wipe with diluted white vinegar (10% vinegar, 90% water) on the affected area only.

Bumper bar

The leather bumper bar cover wipes clean with a damp cloth. Don’t use leather cleaner — it’s faux leather on most models and harsh products can cause peeling. The foam underneath the cover can be wiped if you remove the cover.

How to clean an UPPAbaby Cruz

The Cruz (V2) is the compact version of the Vista. The cleaning process is almost identical but simpler because there are fewer components — no bassinet (unless purchased separately).

Seat cover removal: Same process as the Vista — unzip back panel, unhook elastic, unthread harness.

Washing: Machine wash at 30°C. Same rules as Vista — do NOT machine wash the canopy.

Cruz-specific tip: The Cruz’s smaller wheels pick up more pavement grime because they spin faster. Remove the front wheels (they pop off) and clean the wheel wells where dirt accumulates behind each wheel. This prevents the clicking sound that Cruz owners sometimes notice.

How to clean an UPPAbaby Minu

The Minu (V2) is UPPAbaby’s ultra-compact travel pram. It has the least fabric of any UPPAbaby model but the same fabric quality.

Seat cover: The Minu seat cover removes similarly to the Vista/Cruz. It’s a simpler one-piece design with fewer attachment points.

Washing: Machine wash at 30°C. The Minu fabric is lighter weight and dries faster than the Vista/Cruz.

Canopy: Same rule — spot clean only, no machine washing.

The fold mechanism: The Minu’s one-handed fold is tight and compact, which means dirt gets compressed into the joints. With the fabric off, use a dry brush to clean out the folding mechanism and hinges. Wipe with a barely damp cloth.

Frame and wheels (all models)

UPPAbaby frames are anodised aluminium or carbon (on the Ridge). Wipe with a damp cloth and mild detergent. Avoid abrasive cleaners that can scratch the finish.

Wheels:

• Remove front wheels (pop off) and rear wheels (release buttons)
• Cut tangled hair from axles — UPPAbaby’s rubber wheels are magnets for hair
• Scrub wheels with warm soapy water
• Clean the wheel wells on the chassis
• On the Vista: check the rear axle where the two wheels connect — debris accumulates in the centre joint

Under-seat basket

The UPPAbaby basket is one of the largest on the market — which means it collects everything. Crumbs, sand, leaves, forgotten snacks. Empty it completely, shake it out, then wipe the fabric with a damp cloth. The basket fabric is not easily removable on most models, so spot clean in place.