There are two main reasons you’d want to put a towel under a car seat: to save your seat or to get your baby’s car seat to the proper angle.
The unfortunate fact is that the majority of parents are using their car seat incorrectly. This is not only a safety risk, but it can also cause damage to your car’s upholstery.
A towel, while it seems strange, can actually help you install your car seat correctly, all while helping shield your seats.
But do experts think it’s safe to put a towel under a car seat? Let’s explore.
Using a Towel to Set Car Seat Angle
If you’ve ever installed a car seat, you know that getting that little bubble level indicator in the correct position can be a headache. Many transportation experts agree that it is okay to use a tightly rolled towel or foam pool noodle at the back of the seat to help get your baby’s car seat to the safest angle for their age. After all, an improperly leveled car seat can’t protect your baby like it should.
The concern is that when placing a towel under the car seat, you add extra space between the seat and your baby carrier. Over time, the towel can shift or compress, which can cause the installation to loosen. Unfortunately, this can lead to a dangerous scenario if you were to ever get into an accident.
In addition, the use of a thick towel can cause the parent to believe that they have appropriately tightened the car seat to the vehicle. However, in a collision, this material can compress, causing the car seat to malfunction. This can lead to a serious injury.
The key here is to tightly roll the towel, or better yet, use a foam pool noodle. If you use either of these AND it is stated to be okay by your car seat’s manufacturer AND your installation meets the safety requirement of not moving more than one inch when wiggled from side to side, then your car seat will still perform properly.
Using a Towel Under Car Seat to Protect Vehicle Seats
Depending on the brand of car seat you have purchased, there are a variety of ways to preserve your seats. What matters most is that the car seat maker backs your method of protection. Thus, take the time to reference your user manual or contact customer service about how to properly use the seat.
Similarly, there are a plethora of car seat protectors on the market. While this item may seem like the perfect alternative for the job, it is important to do your research to ensure that the product you are considering is compatible with a car seat and crash safety tested. If it is not, then it can void your car seat warranty and still pose a safety risk.
Alternative Options
The best method of protecting your child and your upholstery is to invest in a crash safety tested car seat protector. Britax, Diono and Evenflo have all designed car seat protectors that are compatible with their safety seats.
However, if your car seat does not have a sanctioned device and you want to protect your leather car seats, there are other cleaning techniques that can help to protect your upholstery from damage. Additionally, proper installation can help to prevent wear and tear as well.
Check Your Car Seat Brand
Some big name car seat companies like Chicco, UPPPAbaby, Clek, Cybex, Diono, Orbit Baby, PegPerego and Nuna agree that it is not safe to put a towel under a car seat. In contrast, Britax, Maxi-Cosi, Evenflo, Graco or Safety 1st brands permit the use of a single-layered towel under the seat. However, this is not with every model, so confirm before use.
The only instance where most companies agreed on the use of a towel is when the parent was unable to angle the seat properly. In this scenario, a rolled up towel or pool noodle can aid in correctly positioning the baby carrier.
Will the use of a towel under the car seat void the warranty?
The warranty will be voided if you do not adhere to the product safety instructions.
While you may be thinking, “how will they ever know?”, if you were in a crash, this misuse would be documented by the responding officers.
Final Thoughts — Is It Safe To Put A Towel Under A Car Seat?
The protection of your child should always be the most important consideration.
If you are struggling to achieve the perfect angle for your child’s car seat, find a car seat safety technician and they can help you use a rolled towel or pool noodle to get the safest installation possible.
However, if you are wanting to also preserve your vehicle seats, do thorough research before purchasing your car seat. Remember that even if a towel is allowed with certain brands, it is always best to use crash safety-tested products. This will better guarantee a positive outcome in a collision.
