Installing a Car Seat? Don’t Forget This Important Accessory!

Whenever I invite someone into my car for a ride or to grab something stashed inside, often the first thing I do is apologize. My kids are 2 and 4, and our mid-size SUV is a trash can as far as they’re concerned. Thankfully, most of the mess is superficial — something my husband and I clean out periodically when we need to maximize packing space or just can’t take it anymore.

And whenever we do, there’s one thing I own that I always silently thank myself for getting: the protector mat we have under their car seats.

It’s a small purchase that makes a big difference. It will no doubt extend the value of our car — even if at first glance it might make it appear otherwise.

Not all seat protectors are the same. Here’s what I looked for when selecting a seat protector.

• It needs to provide full coverage. Some seat protectors only go underneath the base of a car seat. While that might seem sufficient, to truly protect the upholstery in your car you need full coverage. Spills and crushed crumbs can fall every which way, and kicking feet can do damage to other areas too. That’s why I only use a protector that covers not only the seat, but also the back of the seat, plus a full lip that extends down to cover the bottom portion as well. 
• It should have a secure attachment. A mat is only effective if it stays in place, so be sure to look for one that adheres to the car somehow — usually with a headrest attachment that prevents it from moving around.  
• It’s easy to clean. A mat will catch a lot of dirt, grime, spills, and general mess, so it should be made with high-quality materials that are easy to clean so nothing gets gunked up. 
• It’s safe to use. While a heavy-duty mat is preferable so nothing soaks through the fabric and onto the upholstery, it’s important to make sure the mat isn’t so thick that it creates an unsafe space. Car seats must be installed according to the manufacturer’s directions and you don’t want to pair one with anything that would negate the safety of the seat itself. Better yet, choose a mat that’s meant to work with a car seat and has been crash test approved.
• Check dimensions. Most car seat protector mats will be designed to fit under a car seat specifically, but if you decide to use a more general seat protector, make sure it’s not too small to catch falling debris (and, likewise, not so big that it covers seat belt openings).

• Name: Munchkin Elite Seat Guardian Car Seat Protector 
• Materials: Polyester, vinyl
• Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Dimensions: 45 x 20.25 x .2 inches 
• Current price: $27-$40, depending on the retailer

We’ve owned two car seat protectors since my kids were born. The first was by Brica, which we’re still using today, although it’s been discontinued. The second for my youngest is this one from Munchkin, which is under her convertible car seat every single day. 

I was a fan right away by how easy it was to install. It features a one-piece design, so all you have to do is place it over the seat, fasten the strap around the headrest, and drape the bottom over the seat. Then, install the car seat on top as you normally would.

The whole process takes just a few minutes, and the mat’s material is thick enough — just 0.2 inch of fabric — to provide coverage without hindering the car seat installation in any way.

The dark gray color is neutral and looks nice over the black seats, although I do wish it came in black to blend in more like my older daughter’s protector does. That aside, my favorite feature is that the mat was specifically crash tested with a car seat installed, which gives me a lot of peace of mind, as safety is my highest concern when putting my kids in the car.

Additionally, the fabric does a nice job of collecting dirt, thanks to grooved edges and a thick material that doesn’t let spills pass through. And because my daughter is still rear-facing, I appreciate that the construction includes full coverage to act as a kick mat, too. It also stays in place nicely, and there’s really no need to touch it once it’s in place aside from cleaning out the mess every once in a while. When the time comes, I dump out any dirt, and just wipe the mat clean. 

There isn’t much I dislike about this protector, although there are two things to keep in mind.

• The color choices are limited. As noted, it’s currently only available in gray. I wish I could have bought it in black to match my seats so it would blend in more.
• It doesn’t have any pockets. Some other car seat protectors come with built-in pockets, often on the bottom for added storage, which is a nice perk. Sadly, mine lacks this feature.