When our second child was on the way and we still had our first’s convertible seat in great condition, I realized I had no idea how to properly store a car seat between kids. I almost shoved it in the garage and forgot about it — which, as it turns out, is one of the worst things you can do. Extreme temperatures, moisture, and pests can all degrade a car seat’s materials and potentially compromise its safety. Here’s what I learned about storing car seats the right way.
View our lists of free car seat programs by type:
Check the Expiration Date First
Before you store a car seat, check whether it’ll still be usable when you need it again. Every car seat has an expiration date stamped on the shell — usually on a label on the bottom or back. Most convertible seats expire 6-10 years from the manufacture date, infant seats after 6 years, and boosters after 6-10 years depending on the brand. If the seat will expire before you need it again, there’s no point storing it. Recycle it through a car seat trade-in event instead.
Clean It Before Storing
Never store a dirty car seat. Crumbs and spilled milk attract pests, and dried-on stains set permanently over time. Remove the cover and wash it per the manufacturer’s instructions (most are machine-washable on gentle cycle). Wipe down the harness straps with a damp cloth and mild soap — never submerge them. Clean the plastic shell with a damp cloth and let everything air dry completely before storing. Moisture trapped inside a sealed container leads to mold.
Best Storage Locations
The ideal storage spot is a temperature-controlled indoor space: a bedroom closet, a spare room, or an interior hallway closet. Car seat plastics and harness webbing degrade faster when exposed to temperature extremes, UV light, and humidity. Here’s how different storage locations rank:
An indoor closet is the best option — stable temperature, low humidity, no UV exposure. A basement works if it’s dry and climate-controlled, but avoid damp basements where moisture can cause mold on the fabric and rust on metal components. A garage is the least ideal indoor option — temperature swings from freezing to over 100°F accelerate plastic degradation, and garages attract mice that will nest in the padding. If the garage is your only option, seal the seat thoroughly (see below) and store it on a high shelf away from exterior walls.
Never store a car seat in an attic (extreme heat in summer), outdoors, or in a storage unit without climate control.
How to Protect It During Storage
Place the clean, fully dried car seat inside a large plastic bag (a heavy-duty trash bag works) or a dedicated car seat travel bag. This protects against dust, moisture, and pests. If you’re concerned about moisture in your storage area, toss in a couple of silica gel packets or a moisture absorber before sealing the bag.
Don’t stack heavy items on top of the car seat — sustained pressure can deform the foam and shell over time. Store it upright or on a shelf where nothing will press against it. Keep all the original parts together: base, newborn insert, cup holders, and the instruction manual. When it’s time to use the seat again, you’ll be glad you didn’t have to hunt for missing pieces.
Storing a Car Seat for Air Travel
If you’re storing a car seat between flights or need to gate-check it at the airport, a padded car seat travel bag protects the seat from damage during handling. Look for one with backpack straps so you can carry it hands-free while managing a child and luggage. The bag also works for long-term storage at home, keeping everything contained and protected.
When to Stop Storing and Start Replacing
When you pull the seat out of storage, inspect it carefully before putting a child in it. Check the expiration date again. Look for any cracks in the plastic shell, fraying on the harness straps, or rust on the metal components. Check the NHTSA recall list to make sure the seat hasn’t been recalled while it was in storage. If anything looks compromised, replace the seat — it’s not worth the risk. For more on expiration dates and when to replace, see our complete expiration guide.
