Care & Washing
Your carrier is built to last, but a little TLC goes a long way. Here's everything you need to know to keep it clean, soft, and safe.
Your carrier has been touched many times on its journey to you, from the hands that made it, to packaging, to shipping. Once you've decided it's love, give it a wash. It only takes one gentle cycle to have it fresh, clean, and ready.
You know those saliva enzymes that help your baby digest food? They're going to try and attack your carrier too. The sharp teeth? Holes waiting to happen. We strongly recommend using Drool Pads on your Lark, Sprout, and Meh Dai to protect them.
By Carrier Type
Most follow the same rules, with a few small differences. Click below to learn more!
Lark Carriers (Baby & Kid)
- Remove all accessories, undo all buckles, and unscrunch the seat before washing
- Machine wash cold, gentle cycle in a laundry bag
- Hand wash in cool water as an alternative
- Hang dry or lay flat
- Tumble dry low or no heat with dryer balls is fine
- No bleach
- No optical brighteners in detergent
Sprout Newborn Carrier
- Remove all accessories, undo all buckles, and unscrunch the seat before washing
- Machine wash cold, gentle cycle in a laundry bag
- Hand wash in cool water as an alternative
- Hang or lay flat to dry
- Tumble dry on low heat is OK
- No bleach
- No optical brighteners in detergent
Ring Slings
- Machine wash cold, gentle cycle in a laundry bag
- Cover rings with a pair of baby socks and a hair tie to protect them
- Hand wash in cool water as an alternative
- Hang dry or lay flat
- No bleach
- No optical brighteners in detergent
- For swim use: rinse with cool water and air dry fully before storing
Baby Wraps
- Machine wash cold, gentle cycle in a laundry bag
- Hand wash in cool water as an alternative
- Hang dry or lay flat. Wraps are long, give them space
- Tumble dry low with dryer balls to soften faster
- No bleach
- No optical brighteners in detergent
- Wraps get softer with every wash. Embrace the process!
Meh Dai
- Remove all accessories, untie the cinch, and unthread waistband rings and untie straps before washing
- Machine wash cold, gentle cycle in a laundry bag
- Hand wash in cool water as an alternative
- Tumble dry low, or hang dry
- No bleach
- No optical brighteners in detergent
- Avoid washing with items that have snaps, buttons, Velcro, or zippers
Drool Pads & Accessories
Drool pads · storage bags · pockets · bandanas · scrunchies · toys
- Remove from carrier before washing
- Machine wash cold, gentle cycle
- Never store wet or damp. Allow to fully dry before putting away
- Remove damp drool pads from your carrier promptly to prevent mold
Drying
- Drool pads: gently stretch back to their original shape and lay flat to dry. Do not tumble dry
- Other accessories (bags, pockets, bandanas, scrunchies, toys): tumble dry on cold or low heat is fine
What's the stain?
Tap below and we'll tell you best practices to get even the most stubborn stains out.
Select a stain type above to see your steps.
Blue Dawn + Cold Wash
For almost all stains — food, dirt, spit-up — start here. Old-fashioned dish soap is safe on natural fibers and works better than most specialist products.
- 1 Apply a small amount of Blue Dawn directly to the stain.
- 2 Gently work it in with your fingers. Do not scrub hard.
- 3 Machine wash cold, gentle cycle as usual.
The Boiling Water Method
This only works on fresh stains that haven't fully dried or set. Don't use this as a general method.
- 1Boil a kettle of water.
- 2Gently blot the mark. Do not rub.
- 3Apply a little Blue Dawn to the stain.
- 4Place carrier in a sink with the stained area accessible.
- 5Pour boiling water over the stain from as high up as you can safely reach. Take care to avoid splashes.
- 6Machine wash cold immediately after.
Act Fast
A fact of life with babies. Carriers handle it well — just don't let it sit.
- 1Rinse off any solid matter as soon as possible. Don't let it dry.
- 2Dab Blue Dawn into the stained area.
- 3Machine wash cold, gentle cycle as usual.
Stain Remover Stick
If Blue Dawn and a cold wash didn't fully remove the stain, a gentle stain remover stick is the next step. We like Buncha Farmers.
- 1Test on a small hidden area first. Results vary by fabric, color, and dye lot.
- 2Apply the stain remover stick to the affected area.
- 3Follow up with a cold wash.
How to soften faster
Use of your carrier is the best softener, but here are a few shortcuts!
Leave in a warm car out of direct sunlight
Let kids play with it (supervised, of course)
Wear a heavier child still within the weight limit
Tumble dry low or no heat with dryer balls (cover those rings!)
Steam with a garment steamer — not too hot
Sit on it. Car trips are perfect for this
More Questions
Can I put my carrier in the dryer?
Yes, for most carriers — always on low or no heat. High heat shrinks natural fibers and damages hardware. Dryer balls speed up drying and help soften faster.
Ring slings and wraps are best hung or laid flat to preserve their drape. When in doubt, air dry.
What detergent should I use?
A mild detergent without optical brighteners. Brighteners cause fading and are harsh on hemp and cotton over time. Skip fabric softener too — it coats the fibers and reduces breathability.
How often should I wash my carrier?
Wash as needed — every week or two for daily use is reasonable. Spot treat minor marks between washes to stretch the time between full washes. And always wash before first use.
My carrier got stiffer after washing. Normal?
Completely normal. Natural hemp and cotton can feel stiff after washing, especially when new. Tumble dry on low with dryer balls, give it a good shake out of the wash, and it'll soften back up. Repeated washing and wearing does the rest.
Can I wash it with other laundry?
Yes, but avoid items with snaps, zippers, buttons, or Velcro — they snag fabric. A mesh laundry bag is good protection for mixed loads.
Can I take my ring sling swimming?
Our light-colored hemp blend ring slings hold up well for casual water use. Rinse in cool water afterward and fully air dry before storing. We can't guarantee performance in heavily chlorinated pools — rinse thoroughly and use your judgment.
Can my carrier get moldy?
It can happen if a carrier is stored wet or damp. A carrier with mold is no longer safe to use — prevention is the only fix.
- Never store a carrier wet or damp in a bag, car, or enclosed space
- Remove drool pads when wet and dry them separately
- Always fully air dry before putting the carrier away
Do not use cloth diaper mold treatment methods — they're not appropriate for carrier fabrics.
Will washing void my warranty?
Not if you follow our care instructions. Damage from hot water, bleach, or incorrect cycles is not covered. If you're unsure about a stain treatment, email us before trying it.
Have a Stubborn Stain?
Email us with a photo and we'll help you figure out the best approach.
Email Us Warranty & Repairs →