How do you wash your Najell SleepCarrier - Without ruining it?

Your SleepCarrier goes everywhere with you and your baby. It gets worn in, lived in, and yes - eventually it needs a wash. The good news is that you can do that in your regular washing machine. Here's exactly how to do it right, whether you have the SleepCarrier X or the SleepCarrier Vol. 5.

What do you need to do before putting it in the machine?

Both the SleepCarrier X and the SleepCarrier Vol. 5 have stabilizing panels built into the sides and bottom. These need to come out before washing - every time. It's a quick step, but an important one. Skipping it can damage the panels and, depending on your machine, cause problems in the drum too.

How often should you wash it?

There's no strict schedule to follow here - it really comes down to how your SleepCarrier is being used. Some families wash it roughly every one to two weeks as part of their regular laundry rhythm, others go by feel: a wash when it starts to smell less fresh, after a bigger spit-up, or following an illness in the house.

If you'd rather wash less often, the waterproof bedding is worth having from the start - it catches most of the daily mess, so the SleepCarrier itself needs a full wash far less frequently. More on that below.

What about stains in between washes?

A fresh mark doesn't always mean a full wash cycle. For small spots - a milk dribble, a bit of drool - a damp cloth and a little mild soap is usually enough to lift it before it sets.

For anything a bit more stubborn, dab (rather than scrub) with a baby-safe stain remover, then let it sit for a few minutes before wiping away. Going gently protects the fabric's fibres, and skipping the bleach and fabric softener rule applies here too - even for spot treatment.

How do you wash a SleepCarrier?

The care instructions are the same for both the SleepCarrier X and the SleepCarrier Vol. 5:

• Machine wash at 40°C. Always on its own — not together with other laundry. We also highly recommend washing your SleepCarrier on a delicate setting.

• Use a laundry bag. Najell's own laundry bag works well, or any mesh laundry bag of a similar size. This protects the carrier during the wash cycle.

• Mild detergent only. No bleach, no fabric softener. Both can affect the fabric and the structural integrity of the carrier over time.

• No tumble drying, no dry cleaning. Heat and the SleepCarrier don't mix.

How should you dry it?

Flat - completely flat, laid out fully open at room temperature. Think of it like a play mat spread out on a surface, left to dry as-is. This keeps the shape intact and makes sure the stabilizing panels go back in correctly afterwards.

Hanging it or draping it over a drying rack can distort the shape, so it's worth taking the extra minute to lay it out properly. Depending on your home and the season, expect it to take a day or so to dry fully. There's no need to rush it back into use before it's completely dry throughout.

Quick answers

Do the SleepCarrier X and Vol. 5 need different care? No - both follow exactly the same washing and drying instructions.

Can I tumble dry it if I'm in a hurry? It's best avoided. Heat can affect both the fabric and the panels, so air drying flat is the way to go, even if it takes a little longer.

Do I really need to take the panels out every single time? Yes. It only takes a moment, and it protects both the panels and your machine.

How long does it take to dry? Usually around a day, depending on your home's temperature and airflow. Laying it out somewhere with good air circulation will speed things up.