In short
- Wash a SuperKnit fabric band with soap and water every 3–4 wears, and let it dry completely before it goes back on.
- SportFlex is silicone and can be wiped with water or isopropyl alcohol; leather should never be soaked.
- Clean the underside of the sensor 2–3 times a week.
- If your skin gets red or itchy, take it off and clean the skin; see a doctor if it hasn’t improved in 2–3 days.
A band that stays on your wrist day and night meets sweat, lotion, soap and damp. Leave it unwashed and a fabric band starts to smell and look dull, and the skin underneath gets irritated more easily. Wash it the wrong way, though, and it wears out faster. Each material needs different care; what follows is WHOOP’s own care advice for WHOOP bands. The replacement bands in our shop come from third-party makers and may use different materials, so check each product page; when in doubt, hand washing with mild soap and air drying is the safe choice.
SuperKnit fabric bands
WHOOP recommends washing a SuperKnit band with soap and water every 3–4 wears, either in the shower or off your wrist, then letting it air dry completely before it goes back on. Fabric bands aren’t waterproof; for swimming, WHOOP recommends a waterproof band. The same care applies to CoreKnit and Navigator bands.
SuperKnit bands have an antimicrobial, odour-resistant coating, but it fades with wear and washing. If a band starts to smell sooner than it used to, that may be why. WHOOP suggests replacing a SuperKnit band every 12 months.
SuperKnit Luxe
For SuperKnit Luxe, with its metal clasp, hand wash with gentle soap in cold water and air dry only; no tumble dryer. Our tip: dry it in an airy, shaded spot, as long hours in strong sun fade the colour faster.
SportFlex
SportFlex is 100% silicone and waterproof. Clean it by wiping with a lint-free cloth dampened with water or isopropyl alcohol, then dry it thoroughly. Silicone breathes less than fabric, so if your skin is sensitive, alternating with a fabric band is kinder to it.
LeatherLuxe
Wipe leather with a dry microfibre cloth, use a leather conditioner every few months, and never submerge it. On very sweaty days or near water, it’s better to switch to another band.
Clean the sensor too
WHOOP recommends cleaning the underside of the device 2–3 times a week with soap and water or sanitising wipes, then rinsing well. Sweat and lotion on the sensor don’t just smell; they also make heart-rate readings less accurate.
If you have a WHOOP MG, its help pages disagree about wiping the ECG contacts with alcohol; when in doubt, a damp cloth with mild soap is the safe choice. And with a metal Meridian band, remember to take the band off before charging with the PowerPack, as the metal interferes with wireless charging.
Red or itchy skin under the band
WHOOP lists the usual causes: humidity, allergies, sweat, soap or hand-sanitiser residue trapped under the band, pressure from a band that’s too tight, and silicone, which breathes less than fabric. To prevent it:
- Rotate where you wear it, for example from wrist to upper arm.
- Keep the skin under the band dry.
- Loosen the band slightly, but keep it snug.
- Moisturiser is fine, just not under the sensor.
If irritation does start, WHOOP says to take it off straight away and clean the skin, switch to a more breathable SuperKnit band, and see a doctor if it hasn’t improved within 2–3 days.
Charms on your band
- Always take charms off before washing the band.
- Wipe enamel charms with a soft, dry cloth, and take them off before showering or swimming.
- Keep crystal charms away from perfume and sprays, and don’t soak them.
Keep two bands in rotation
A fabric band has to be completely dry before it goes back on, which can take hours. A second band keeps WHOOP on your wrist and your sleep data unbroken, and gives each band a rest from sweat. WHOOP suggests replacing SuperKnit bands every 12 months and SportFlex every 12–18 months.
Common questions
Can I put my WHOOP band in the washing machine?
WHOOP’s advice for fabric bands is hand washing with soap and water, and we found no page recommending a machine, so we don’t either. A machine can fray the knit and knock the clasp against the drum.
Can I wipe a fabric band with alcohol?
For fabric bands WHOOP recommends soap and water; wiping with isopropyl alcohol is only suggested for SportFlex. Sanitiser residue trapped under a band is also one of the causes of skin irritation.
Can I swim in a fabric band?
WHOOP says fabric bands aren’t waterproof and recommends a waterproof band such as its own SportFlex for swimming. The device itself is rated IP68 to 10 metres.
WHOOP, WHOOP 5.0, WHOOP MG, WHOOP Body, SportFlex, SuperKnit and LeatherLuxe are trademarks of WHOOP, Inc. Luxe More is an independent shop and is not affiliated with WHOOP. This article summarises WHOOP’s help pages as of September 2026.
