Why We Recommend Hand-Washing

We strongly recommend hand-washing your dog’s support gear for optimal care and longevity:

1. Gentle on Materials
   Hand-washing lets you control both water temperature (ideally 25–30 °C) and scrubbing pressure, preventing damage to neoprene, elastic fabrics, and support inserts that can occur in a machine cycle.

2. Targeted Cleaning
   With hand-washing, you can focus on high-traffic areas—seams, Velcro closures, and padding folds—using a soft brush or sponge to remove embedded dirt, sweat, and debris more thoroughly than a generic machine spin.

3. Preserves Velcro & Stitching
   Mechanical agitation in a washing machine accelerates wear on hook-and-loop fasteners and thread. Hand-washing minimizes friction, helping maintain strap grip and seam integrity for a longer service life.

4. Protects Structural Inserts
   Removing rigid or semi-rigid support bars before a machine wash can be cumbersome, and any remaining agitation may warp or crack these critical components. Hand-washing allows you to fully detach and clean each part separately.

Hand-Washing Quick Steps

1. Pre-Rinse: Rinse under lukewarm water to remove surface dirt.

2. Soak: Submerge in 25–30 °C water with mild detergent for 10–15 minutes.

3. Brush: Gently scrub seams, straps, and Velcro areas with a soft brush.

4. Rinse Thoroughly: Flush until water runs clear of soap.

5. Air-Dry: Hang in a shaded, well-ventilated area—avoid direct sunlight and heat sources.