Anyone with children will agree that keeping car seats and buggies clean for young ones is a constant challenge.

The multiple folds and crevices create a haven for crumbs, spills and mould to accumulate out of sight.

Where simple wipe downs may not cover everything, harsh cleaners can also risk affecting an infant’s sensitive skin.

While preparing her car for a long trip to Auckland with her children, mum Dahnee Hata came up with the idea of a car seat cleaning service.

Her new business Clean Little CARGO provides comprehensive car seat and buggy cleaning as well as a pickup and drop off service in Ōpōtiki.

Using baby friendly cleaning products, the individualised service ensures all rides for little passengers are fresh, hygienic and comfortable.

“The idea for the service came about when I was doing my own car and car seats and I thought this is so time consuming and there must be a lot of busy working parents who don’t have time to do it regularly,” Ms Hata said.

“I initially thought a full car and car seat valet service would be a good idea but wasn’t sure if I would have time to do all that while looking after my own kids.

“It was quite a spur of the moment thing, but I am not one to do things by halves ,so I got the word out and started getting lots of messages back.

“Since then, I have done tonnes of research on the best and safest products to use for different seats and materials that are about, as well as added lots of equipment to do the best job.

“I started with a Temu cleaning kit on my first few, I now pick specific commercial cleaners as well as investing in spot and steam cleaners. These came in handy doing 21 seats at once for a local kohanga,” Ms Hata said.

The new business also allows Ms Hata to do something that aligns with her self-described “OCD for cleanliness”.

“It is really satisfying to finish a seat or buggy and hand it back to a customer. I feel like I am really doing something I love,” she said.