The sun is shining and you’re already imagining yourself out and about with your children in a Stroller.
But we need to protect our babies from UV rays throughout their stroller journey.
Except that once strapped in, baby can’t move to protect himself.
The canopy is not enough to fully cover your baby and cannot be reclined to suit the height of the sun.
Covering baby with a sheet or light blanket ? I advise against this, as do the government’s recommendations.
For our adorable little vampires ^^ who hate having the sun in their eyes, we need an extra accessory to protect them from the sun’s rays while they’re sitting comfortably in the Stroller.
That’s where the universal parasol for Stroller comes in. One of the most popular universal accessories for Strollers.
How do I choose a universal parasol for a Stroller ?
Now let’s find out how to choose the right parasol for your universal stroller.
For me, three criteria are essential, and here they are straight away.
A universal parasol
Firstly, as its name suggests, it must be universal, so it can be fitted to all single and double pushchairs.
The parasol can therefore be easily installed on brands such as :
- The YOYO stroller
- The Cybex
- The Pockit
- La chico
A universal parasol can easily be fitted to either side of the stroller, particularly via an attachment on the stroller frame.
Good UV protection
And yes, not all universal parasols have the same UV protection.
I recommend a parasol with a UV 50+ index.
That’ll put your mind at rest 😉
A dark parasol colour
And yes, although brands like the YOYO parasol come in beautiful colours, it is advisable, as with a parasol, to choose dark colours (black, grey or dark blue).
In fact, darker shades are very effective at protecting your baby from UV rays.
I would therefore advise against choosing white, yellow or pink parasols.
For example, in this photo of YOYO parasol colours, I’d recommend just three 😉 you can guess from what I’ve just said above.
What about the diameter of the parasol ?
70 cm in diameter 😉 it’s perfect.
After that it’s too big.
Most models have this diameter.
How do I fit a universal parasol on my Stroller ?
Then it’s very simple.
The universal Stroller parasol has a small clip that attaches directly to one side of the frame of your stroller.
I specify all frames, because we’re talking about a universal parasol.
Once the clip is in place, all you have to do is put the parasol in the clip and adjust it as you wish.
And there you have it.
How do I wash a universal parasol for my Stroller ?
This is a question I’m often asked on the site. How do I wash my Stroller parasol ? It’s true that it’s unusual to wash this type of accessory, so here are my tips on how to wash your “warm-weather stroller saver”, as I like to call it.
- Removing the parasol: Start by detaching the parasol from the stroller according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Cleaning the external surface: Use a soft brush to remove dust and debris from the parasol.
- Preparing the cleaner: Fill a bucket with warm water and add a little mild soap.
- Cleaning the parasol: Immerse the parasol in soapy water and use a soft sponge to gently rub the surface, paying particular attention to stains.
- Rinsing: Rinse the parasol thoroughly with clean water to remove any soap residue.
- Drying: Shake the parasol to remove excess water, then hang it outside to dry completely in the open air.
- Refitting to your Stroller: Once dry, refit the parasol to your Stroller in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Regular maintenance: Wipe the parasol regularly with a damp cloth to keep it clean.
Always follow the manufacturer’s specific instructions for cleaning and maintaining your universal parasol.
Can the stroller parasol be used as an umbrella ?
So yes and no.
For light rain, yes.
But as soon as the flow rate increases, your parasol will break.
Let me ask you a question.
Do you use your parasol as an umbrella ?
What about using your umbrella as a parasol ?
The answer is no 😉
The parasol for the Stroller should only be used to block out the sun’s rays.
Universal parasol or sun shade cover ?
It’s up to you to decide.
The parasol can be adjusted horizontally or vertically to ward off the sun in any position.
The universal sun shade cover for strollers will be fixed, but will cover a large part of baby. Some also offer rain cover.
Both are good.
Here are a few examples of universal sun shade covers for all strollers.