Car Seat Cover a Little Piece of Magic
Waterproof Cover Works Like a Charm
A mama’s got to have a little magic, right? Well, with a shake of mommy pixie dust and a little abracadabra, I’ve got something new up my sleeve these days, and I’m absolutely spellbound by it: Emmalu Designs’ brilliant waterproof, removable car seat cover that reportedly fits most car seats.
I have a Britax Marathon car seat, and the cover slipped on like a glove and only took 30 seconds to get Velcroed on. Shortly after I “dressed up” my potty-trained boy’s car seat, he obligingly helped test it out by having a mini accident. It was child’s play to remove the Emmalu waterproof cover, toss it into the wash and be done with it. I was even able to peel the cover off with one hand, holding a cloth bag in my other hand, not wanting to put it down in the snow. After I washed it, I rushed outside to put it back on without even putting on my coat, knowing I’d be indoors again in a jiffy. Less than a minute later I was back in front of a toasty fireplace.
In the past, whenever I had messes in the car I not only had to deal with the non-waterproof car seat cover itself, but also the porous stained Styrofoam-like material below. Additionally, my son’s car seat cover never seemed to wash very well, which is especially apparent by the worn elastic on the sides.
The Emmalu covers are available in lots of different fabrics; I especially like the girly varieties. The material is heavy-duty and soft — much nicer than my original, skimpy car seat cover.
If I could use my mommy magic to cast a spell right now, I would transport an Emmalu Designs car seat cover six years back in time, to when my firstborn was just a babe. I could have saved myself a whole lot of time and headaches with this fantastic product.
Specs
Price Range: $70
Comments
I am surprised at this. If you shop carefully, you can get a great car seat for under $50 and in most car seats the fabric can be removed and washed in a washing machine in the gentle cycle. Does it make sense to spend $70 to protect a car seat that costs less?
Also kids go through so many car seats so quickly, viz: from rear facing baby seats to car seats to booster seats, how long do we need to save these car seats?
I am not sure I understand the purpose of this product.
Posted by: Nathan | Mar 12, 2008 9:30:33 AM
as a new dad with a $250 (gift) car seat with removable cover I'm thinking I wouldn't want to spend another $70 on this. Maybe by the time baby 2 needs the seat it'll be time for an upgrade. Maybe more experienced parents can disagree.
Posted by: Dave T. | Mar 12, 2008 12:35:27 PM
I hate to be contrarian, but these covers (or any other "boutique" covers) should not be used. Only covers that come with the seat or approved by the manufacturer should be put on carseats. They have not been crash-tested nor do they meet the federal flammability requirements that the manufacturer has to. A second authentic cover can be ordered from Britax for $70, and that is the safest route to go.
Posted by: Beth | Mar 12, 2008 3:19:28 PM
Nathan,
I found this cover extremely functional because it was so simple to remove (not because it protected the original cover). I'll take 30 seconds any day (as opposed to a multi-step time intensive cover removal process) when there's vomit (or worse) to contend with.
Beth,
you bring up interesting points.
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Posted by: bal | Apr 2, 2008 4:02:07 AM
While I understand one would not spend $70 on a cover when they only spent $50 on an entire seat, I don't know that this is who this product is appealing to. also, car seat manufacturers void all warranties (which only last 1 year) on car seats when ANYTHING is placed in or one the car seat that the manufacturer did not supply. this includes toys, baby buntings, neck pads, anything. I also know that there are no standards for testing on any car seat covers and such after factory. so yes, it does not meet what the car seat manufacturers have to meet, but this is just a cover not an entire seat. And while Britax make a replacement cover, it does not do what this cover is said to do. So there is no comparison. When you need to remove the cover and then can't get it back on or are stuck at home with an older child screaming because they are missing a party...you may change your mind. Its just a personal choice.
Posted by: Lindsey | Apr 7, 2008 1:34:38 PM
While I understand one would not spend $70 on a cover when they only spent $50 on an entire seat, I don't know that this is who this product is appealing to. also, car seat manufacturers void all warranties (which only last 1 year) on car seats when ANYTHING is placed in or one the car seat that the manufacturer did not supply. this includes toys, baby buntings, neck pads, anything. I also know that there are no standards for testing on any car seat covers and such after factory. so yes, it does not meet what the car seat manufacturers have to meet, but this is just a cover not an entire seat. And while Britax make a replacement cover, it does not do what this cover is said to do. So there is no comparison. When you need to remove the cover and then can't get it back on or are stuck at home with an older child screaming because they are missing a party...you may change your mind. Its just a personal choice.
Posted by: Lindsey | Apr 7, 2008 1:35:48 PM
I love this! I am going to have to get one! We just got back from spring break and the road trip was not so good to us. This would have saved everybody in the car from what we went through. Great idea. I am buying one right now.....
Posted by: Jessica | Apr 8, 2008 12:26:52 PM
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I am surprised at this. If you shop carefully, you can get a great car seat for under $50 and in most car seats the fabric can be removed and washed in a washing machine in the gentle cycle. Does it make sense to spend $70 to protect a car seat that costs less?
Also kids go through so many car seats so quickly, viz: from rear facing baby seats to car seats to booster seats, how long do we need to save these car seats?
I am not sure I understand the purpose of this product.
Posted by: Nathan | Mar 12, 2008 9:29:59 AM