Most baby equipment is stored between children, which means years in a cupboard and then a day when somebody needs it to work properly.
What actually destroys it
Damp, which mildews fabric and corrodes the metal parts of a frame.
Light, which fades and weakens fabric, especially on anything left near a window.
Lost parts, which is the real failure here — a missing fixing turns an item into one that may not be sold at all. Prohibited items.
Time, for anything with an expiry. A car seat carries a manufacturer expiry date and it passes in storage like anywhere else.
What to do instead
- Clean and dry completely before it goes away
- Every small fixing bagged, labelled, and taped to the item — this is the single most useful habit in this category
- Manual kept with it, or the model number written on the box so it can be found again
- Off the floor, away from outside walls, covered with cloth rather than sealed plastic
- Check the date before you get it out again, and before you ever list it
Fabric parts
Wash by the label, dry fully, and store in cotton rather than plastic. Harnesses and straps should be stored unfastened and uncompressed.
What it costs
Bags, labels and ten minutes at the moment of putting it away.
Questions people ask
Can I store a car seat for a second child?
Where it is within its expiry, has not been in a crash, and is complete. Check all three before use and before any sale.
What about mould on fabric parts?
It must be declared if you sell, and for a safety item it is a reason to stop.
Should I keep the box?
Keeping the model number matters more than keeping the box.
More: selling baby items, common mistakes.