Electronics

How to Clean a WHOOP 5.0 or WHOOP MG Band

WHOOP 5.0 and WHOOP MG are designed for continuous wear, so sweat, sunscreen, soap, salt, and skin oil can accumulate beneath the sensor and inside the CoreKnit band. WHOOP recommends washing the sensor underside several times per week and cleaning the band every few wears, with thorough rinsing and drying to prevent residue and irritation. The current 5.0/MG Fast Link hardware and accessories are not interchangeable with WHOOP 4.0, so this guide focuses on WHOOP 5.0 and WHOOP MG. Use the separate official instructions if you own a 4.0 band, a WHOOP Body garment, or a different accessory.

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Primary reference: WHOOP: General wash and care instructions. Always check the manual for your exact model.

Quick reference

Sensor underside
Clean two to three times weekly with soap and water or a permitted sanitizing wipe; rinse and dry.
CoreKnit band
Wash every three to four wears with mild soap and fresh water, then air-dry.
Generation check
WHOOP 5.0/MG bands and chargers do not fit WHOOP 4.0 hardware.
Avoid
No bleach, fabric softener, abrasive tools, forced clasp parts, or charging while wet.
Ready when
Sensor, knit, Fast Link clasp, overlap layers, and skin are completely dry.

What you will need

  • Warm fresh water
  • A small amount of mild soap
  • A clean soft lint-free cloth
  • A clean dry microfiber cloth
  • Optional sanitizing wipe for the sensor underside when WHOOP permits it
  • A clean towel and ventilated room-temperature drying area
  • A second dry WHOOP band if you need to wear the device continuously

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Confirm the WHOOP generation

Check the device in the WHOOP app or compare the clasp and charging system with WHOOP's support illustrations. WHOOP 5.0 and MG use the current Fast Link system and require compatible 5.0/MG bands and charging accessories. Do not force a WHOOP 4.0 band or battery pack onto the newer sensor.

Take the device off your wrist and use the Fast Link release to separate or loosen the band according to WHOOP's instructions. Do not pry the clasp with a screwdriver or metal tool. Keeping the sensor and knit material accessible makes it easier to rinse soap out completely instead of trapping it beneath the sensor.

Step 3: Clean the sensor underside

WHOOP recommends cleaning the sensor underside two to three times per week with soap and water or a sanitizing wipe. Use warm soapy water and your fingertips or a soft cloth over the smooth underside and optical sensor area. Avoid abrasive scrubbing. Rinse thoroughly so soap does not remain between the sensor and skin, then wipe with a clean lint-free cloth.

Step 4: Wash the CoreKnit band

WHOOP recommends washing CoreKnit bands every three to four wears. You can clean the band with soap and water in the shower or remove it for a more controlled hand wash. Work a small amount of mild soap through the knit, paying attention to the portion under the sensor and where the band overlaps. Do not use bleach or fabric softener.

Step 5: Rinse until the band no longer feels slick

Run fresh water through the knit while gently squeezing it. Continue until there are no visible suds and the fibers no longer feel slippery. Soap left in a tightly worn band can contribute to itching. After salt-water swimming, rinse both the band and sensor in fresh water even if no full wash is due.

Step 6: Wipe the clasp and sensor edges

Use a damp lint-free cloth around the Fast Link slider, sensor edges, and band hardware. A dry microfiber cloth is the safest choice for the clasp's final wipe. Do not scrape compacted residue with a pin, and do not allow fibers to catch in the slider. Inspect the hardware for damage or a connection that does not close securely.

Step 7: Clean charging surfaces while disconnected

Remove the wireless charger or battery accessory before cleaning the sensor. Wipe external charging surfaces with a clean dry microfiber cloth unless the exact accessory's support page allows something else. Keep soap and standing water out of charging connections, and never charge a sensor or charger that is visibly wet, damaged, swollen, or unusually hot.

Step 8: Air-dry rather than wearing a wet band

Press the band in a clean towel without twisting the clasp, then leave it open in moving room-temperature air. WHOOP says to air-dry the band. Do not use a hair dryer, clothes dryer, radiator, or direct high heat. If continuous tracking matters, switch to a second completely dry compatible band instead of putting the wet band back on.

Step 9: Reassemble and check placement

When the sensor, knit, clasp, and overlap layers are fully dry, reconnect the Fast Link and make sure it locks. Wear the sensor snugly about one finger above the wrist bone, with clean skin beneath it. A clean sensor improves optical contact, but overtightening can still trap moisture and irritate skin.

Step 10: Build cleaning into the wear routine

Wipe the sensor after heavy sunscreen or lotion exposure, rinse after salt or pool water, clean the underside two to three times weekly, and wash the band every three to four wears. Let both wrist and band dry after showers and workouts. This schedule limits odor and residue without exposing the hardware to unnecessary aggressive cleaning.

Specific cleaning questions

Open a question for a concise answer about stains, odors, safety, frequency, and troubleshooting.

Can I shower with WHOOP 5.0 or WHOOP MG?
WHOOP lists 5.0 and MG as suitable for showers and swimming, but that does not replace rinsing and drying. Soap left under the sensor or in the band can irritate skin, so rinse thoroughly and let the band dry.
How often should I wash a WHOOP band?
WHOOP recommends washing a CoreKnit band every three to four wears. Wash sooner after heavy sweat, sunscreen, salt water, or noticeable odor, and use a second dry band rather than wearing the first while wet.
How often should I clean the WHOOP sensor?
WHOOP recommends cleaning the underside two to three times per week with soap and water or a sanitizing wipe. Rinse away soap, dry the optical surface, and clean sooner if lotion or salt is visible.
Can a WHOOP 5.0 band go in the washing machine?
WHOOP's general CoreKnit procedure emphasizes soap-and-water washing and air-drying. Hand washing gives better control around Fast Link hardware. Follow the specific accessory page before machine-washing any band or garment, and never machine-wash the sensor.
Can I use bleach or fabric softener on a WHOOP band?
Do not use bleach or fabric softener. Both can leave residue or affect elastic fibers and skin comfort. Use a small amount of mild soap, rinse until the knit is no longer slick, and air-dry.
Why does my WHOOP band smell after washing?
Soap, sweat, or moisture may remain in the overlap and dense knit. Rinse again while gently squeezing water through the fabric, then open the band and air-dry it fully. A band that stays damp between uses can quickly develop odor.
Are WHOOP 4.0 bands compatible with WHOOP 5.0 or MG?
No. WHOOP states that 5.0/MG bands and charging accessories are not compatible with WHOOP 4.0. Confirm the generation before replacing, washing, or reassembling hardware so nothing is forced.
What should I do if WHOOP causes a rash?
Remove the device, wash and dry the sensor and band thoroughly, and let the skin recover. Make sure the band is not overtight and no soap remains. Stop wearing it and seek medical advice if irritation persists, spreads, or is painful.