BabySat: Washing the Sock and Sensor

Caring for your fabric Sock and electronic Sensor will make it last longer and be more comfortable for your baby. We recommend washing them at least every two weeks.

Clean the Sock and sensor to avoid skin irritation.

The 3 causes of skin irritation beneath the sensor include:

1. A buildup of dirt, oils, and bacteria from not cleaning the sensor
2. Using a soap that is drying, irritating, or too harsh for Baby's sensitive skin
3. Not removing all the soap from the sensor after cleaning

To learn more about preventing skin irritations or pressure marks on your child's foot as they grow, please review this article.

Please follow these instructions to wash the fabric Sock and electronic sensor.

Supplies Needed

• Gentle laundry detergent. (Use the same mild laundry detergent you use for Baby’s clothes.)
• Clean and soft-bristled toothbrush.
• Clean, dry towel.
• Sink with a drain plug. (You can use a water basin or bowl, too.)

Turn OFF your sensor before cleaning

While the Sensor is water resistant, we recommend turning it off.  To turn OFF the Sensor: 

1. Press the settings cog on the Home Screen or press Account then select the BabySat device.
2. Press “Turn off Sensor”.
3. Confirm the Sensor light has turned off.

Cleaning your Sock and sensor

Your Sock and Sensor rests against your child’s skin for hours at a time, so the potential irritation skin from soap exists. Choosing which soap to use is a very important step in your cleaning process. We recommend using whatever laundry detergent you use to clean your child’s clothing since their skin is already accustomed to it.

Prepare your cleaning solution:

1. Create a diluted, soapy solution of water and laundry detergent 
   1. Plug your sink and fill it with cool to lukewarm water. (A basin or bowl is also fine.)
   2. Add a small amount of your laundry detergent to the water and mix the solution with your hands.
      CAUTION! Avoid using hand soap, antibacterial soap, or dish soap.
      These can be too drying and irritating on your child’s skin over a long period of time. The most successful approach is creating a sudsy solution of water and familiar laundry detergent, which helps prevent soap from sticking to the Sensor.
2. Check your Sensor light to ensure it is off. If it is on, ensure you follow the steps in this article for turning it off. It is important that you only clean the Sensor in the off state.
3. Separate the Sensor from the Sock.
4. Submerge the fabric Sock only in the soapy solution. Do NOT submerge the Sensor.
5. Scrub the Sensor gently by dipping your toothbrush bristles into the solution, tapping to remove any excess, and brushing in a circular motion.
   
6. Rinse the toothbrush clean under running water, tapping to remove the excess.
7. Scrub the Sensor free of residue, again brushing in a gentle, circular motion.
8. Pause to rinse the toothbrush frequently and completely as you remove the detergent solution, tapping out the excess water each time.
   
9. Repeat this "rinse" process as necessary until all dirt and oils are removed from the Sensor. No detergent solution or residue should remain on the Sensor.
10. Dry the Sensor: 
    1. Gently press the Sensor into a dry towel to remove initial moisture. 
    2. Lay the Sensor on the towel and air dry until completely dry.
       1. CAUTION! Do not place a wet Sensor on the Base Station as Sensor failure can result.
       2. CAUTION! Never use a wet or damp Sensor on your child’s foot.
       3. CAUTION! Avoid direct sunlight or heat to dry the Sensor as warping can result.

11. Gently clean the fabric Sock with the detergent solution.
    
12. Rinse clean the fabric Sock under running water until all soap is removed.
    
13. Blot the Sock material dry with a towel and set it aside to dry completely.
14. Lay flat on a towel, or hang the fabric Sock and Sensor to dry completely.

Turn the Sock and sensor back on after cleaning

1. Check that your fabric Sock and Sensor are completely dry before resuming use.
2. Place the Sensor on the Base Station to turn on the Sensor.

When to replace the Sock or sensor

The Sock and/or Sensor should be replaced if:

• The Sock is stretched out or the fabric is separating.
• The fabric or Sensor windows are ripped, warped, or otherwise damaged.
• The hook and loop fastener has been worn and no longer latches properly.
• Multiple cleanings fail to remove visible stains or dirt.