Correct care will ensure that your carrier has a long lifespan. How you best care for your wrap or sling depends on the fibers it's woven from. When your carrier contains more than one type of fiber (for example, a blend of cotton and wool), you should always treat it according to the most delicate fiber.
LOOMSTATE WASH
COTTON
WASH
Cotton is a very sturdy fiber that is easy to maintain and can be machine washed. It can withstand temperatures of up to 60 degrees Celsius. Enzyme-containing detergents are recommended, as they allow for thorough cleaning at lower temperatures. 30 degrees is often sufficient. Washing at lower temperatures minimizes wear on your carrier.
DRYING
We do not recommend tumble drying your cotton wrap, as there's a risk of shrinkage. However, you won't risk damaging the wrap if you decide to do so. If tumble drying, we recommend using cold air.
IRONING
Cotton can be ironed at medium to high heat. Use steam.
LINEN
WASH
Similar to cotton, linen is an easy-care fiber, meaning it can be machine washed with enzyme-containing detergents. We recommend not washing your linen carrier at more than 30 degrees to preserve the natural luster of the fabric.
DRYING
Linen should not be tumble dried if you want to maintain its luster. Instead, let it air dry and smooth out the fabric by hand. Then, give it a good ironing (medium to high heat) when it's still slightly damp.
IRONING
It's recommended to iron linen wraps and slings, as linen tends to fold in the same place, causing threads to slide apart and potentially creating weaknesses in the fabric. This tendency can be alleviated by occasionally washing and ironing your carrier.
WOOL
Wool, like merino, is a wonderful and robust fiber but can felt if treated incorrectly. Felting is when the surface of wool fibers rises, contracts, and interlocks like Velcro. A felted wrap/sling shrinks significantly as the fibers contract, becoming stiff and less flexible. A felted carrier should not be used for carrying. Felting of wool is caused by a combination of three factors: moisture, rapid temperature changes, and agitation.
To avoid this combination, we discourage machine washing carriers that contain wool. When it comes to washing wool, you often need very little. Wool carriers can be refreshed by airing them outside or by hanging them in the bathroom while you take a steamy shower to rejuvenate them with humidity.
WASH
Wool carriers should be hand washed in lukewarm water (max. 30 degrees Celsius) with a liquid detergent specially made for wool. I use a (large) baby bathtub. Fill the tub with lukewarm water, add the detergent, swirl to distribute it, and then immerse the carrier completely in the water, making sure it's thoroughly wet. Stir as little as possible. Moisture, temperature changes, and friction cause felting. Let the fabric sit in the water, gently pressing on it. Once the wrap/sling is thoroughly soaked, lift it out while supporting the weight evenly. Empty the tub and refill it with clean water at the same temperature. Soak again and gently stir/squeeze to remove any soap residue.DRYING
Gently press out excess water - do not wring! Place the wrap/sling on one or more bath towels and fold it if necessary. Then roll it up in the towel/towels. Step on the roll gently to press the water into the towels. Unroll and lay the wrap/sling flat to dry on fresh towels or spread it out on a drying rack. It's important to distribute the weight fairly evenly to avoid the carrier drying in a misshapen manner. Never put a wool wrap or sling in the dryer - it will felt even on a cold setting.IRONING
SILK
WASH
DRYING
When drying a silk carrier, follow the guidelines for drying wool and add that silk should always dry in shade and never in direct sunlight.
IRONING
Silk can be ironed at the lowest temperature setting. Use steam.
