Cleaning & Caring for Your Eye Patch
A fabric eye patch touches your child's skin for hours a day, so keeping it clean matters as much as picking a design they like. Here's how to keep yours in good shape.
Hand wash only — here's why
Our patches are non-adhesive, soft fabric patches, not disposable adhesive ones, so they're built to be washed and reused rather than thrown away after one use. Hand wash in cold water, gently reshape it with your fingers, and let it air dry naturally - skip the iron, since heat can affect the shape. If any dirt shows up on the inner fabric, a lint roller or a strip of sticky tape lifts it right off. If an edge starts to fray, you can carefully trim the loose threads with scissors - the fabric won't unravel further.
Why having 2–3 in rotation makes life easier
One patch means one wash-and-wait cycle standing between your child and their next patching session. Keeping two or three in rotation (especially in different designs) means there's always a clean, dry one ready to go - and it gives your child a little bit of choice each morning, which can help with compliance too. Browse our full collection if you're building out a rotation.
When to retire a patch
Replace a patch once the elastic loosens and no longer holds snug, the felt has thinned or flattened at the eye area, or the stitching starts to come apart at a seam. A patch that's lost its shape won't block vision as reliably as it should, so this isn't just a cosmetic issue.
✨ Quick answers ✨
Can I put it in the washing machine on a gentle cycle?
We don't recommend it - even gentle cycles can distort the felt shape over time. Hand washing takes under a minute and protects the fit.
Is it safe if my child has sensitive skin?
Our patches use a soft, non-adhesive design specifically because adhesive patches are a common source of skin irritation. If irritation still comes up, check in with your child's eye doctor, and wash the patch more frequently in the meantime.
How long does one patch typically last?
With normal daily wear and the care above, most parents get about a year of regular use before it's time to retire one - though this varies with how much your child wears it and how it's cared for.