To remove pet hair from a soft pet carrier, take the pet and all bedding or accessories out first, inspect the mesh and seams for damage, then vacuum on low suction with a crevice or upholstery attachment before considering any washing. Soft carriers are usually built from several different materials — a fabric shell, a mesh panel, a removable liner, and sometimes a rigid stability board in the base — and each of those parts can have its own cleaning rules, so it pays to check before you assume the whole thing can go in a washing machine.
Manufacturer instructions take priority over general cleaning advice every time. Sherpa, for example, states directly that its carrier shell, removable liner, and stability board each require different care methods, and that pieces should be air dried rather than machine dried. That kind of guidance varies by brand and even by model, so the steps below describe the general order of operations — dry removal first, moisture only where confirmed safe — while leaving the specific water temperatures and wash settings to whatever came with your carrier.
Before You Clean: Remove, Inspect, Decide
1. Take the pet and everything else out of the carrier
Remove your pet, any bedding, pads, toys, or other inserts before you start. Cleaning around a pet inside the carrier is harder to do thoroughly and can startle them if you're running a vacuum nearby.
2. Inspect the mesh panels for holes or stretching
Mesh is the most fragile part of most soft carriers. Look for small tears, stretched-out sections, or spots where the mesh has pulled away from its stitching. A vacuum attachment pressed too hard against weakened mesh can turn a small snag into a hole.
3. Check zippers, tethers, and the frame
Run the zippers fully open and closed to confirm they still catch properly. Check any internal tether or leash clip for fraying, and check the frame — often a wire or rigid insert along the carrier's edges — for bends or breaks that could compromise the shape.
4. Look over seams for separation or damage
Seams see the most stress in a soft carrier, especially at corners and around zipper lines. A seam that's starting to pull apart is worth noting before you clean, since vacuuming or handling during washing can widen an existing gap.
5. Decide whether the carrier is safe to keep using
If inspection turns up a torn mesh panel, a broken frame piece, a zipper that won't stay closed, or a seam that's significantly separated, that's a safety issue for your pet during transport, not just a cosmetic one. Discontinue use of a damaged carrier rather than cleaning it and putting it back into service.
Dry Removal: Vacuuming and Lint-Rolling
6. Vacuum the fabric shell on low suction
Use a crevice or upholstery attachment on your vacuum's lowest suction setting and go over the exterior and interior fabric panels. Low suction reduces the risk of stretching fabric or pulling at stitching compared to a full-power floor attachment.
7. Support the mesh panel while vacuuming it
When you get to mesh sections, hold the mesh gently taut with one hand while you run the attachment over it with the other. This keeps suction from pulling the mesh into the nozzle and stressing the weave, especially on panels that already show some wear.
8. Vacuum seams and corners specifically
Hair collects disproportionately in seams, corners, and along zipper tracks. A narrow crevice tool reaches into these areas better than a wide upholstery attachment, so switch tools if your vacuum has both.
9. Lint-roll the removable liner if the material allows it
Many soft carriers include a removable fabric or fleece liner in the base. If the liner's material is suited to it, a lint roller run over the surface after vacuuming picks up the finer layer of hair that clings to fabric fibers rather than sitting loose.
Disassembly and Washing, Following the Manufacturer's Directions
10. Only take the carrier apart as far as the manufacturer directs
Some carriers are designed with a removable liner and a separate stability board that lifts out of the base; others are built as a single unit not meant to be disassembled. Check the product manual or the manufacturer's site — for Sherpa carriers, this is covered in their FAQ — before removing anything beyond an intentionally removable liner.
11. Treat the shell, liner, and stability board as separate cleaning jobs
Because these parts are often made from different materials, each one can have a different acceptable cleaning method. A liner might be machine washable while the outer shell is spot-clean only, or vice versa — don't assume one method applies to the whole carrier just because it worked on one part.
12. Air dry rather than machine dry
If a manufacturer confirms a part is washable, air drying is the safer default for soft carrier components, and Sherpa specifically calls for air drying its carrier pieces rather than tumble drying. Heat from a dryer can warp stability boards, shrink fabric, or damage mesh.
13. Never reassemble the carrier while any part is still damp
Trapped moisture inside a reassembled carrier can lead to mildew or odor, and a damp stability board can warp before it finishes drying. Wait until the shell, liner, and any inserts are fully dry to the touch before putting the carrier back together.
Decision Table: Carrier Component Cleaning Order
| Component | First step | Moisture rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fabric shell | Low-suction vacuum, crevice tool | Follow manufacturer's care instructions | May differ from liner/board care |
| Mesh panels | Support with hand while vacuuming gently | Avoid soaking; check for tears first | Most fragile part of the carrier |
| Removable liner | Lint roll after vacuuming | Wash only if manufacturer confirms | May be machine washable even if shell isn't |
| Stability board | Wipe or vacuum surface | Avoid soaking; air dry fully | Warps if machine dried or reassembled damp |
| Zippers, frame, seams | Inspect before and after cleaning | N/A | Discontinue use if damaged |
After Cleaning: Reassembly and Final Check
14. Reassemble in the reverse order you took it apart
Put the stability board back in first if it was removed, followed by the liner, then any bedding or inserts. This is also a good moment to confirm the liner and board fit back into place without bunching or gapping.
15. Run the zippers and check the tether once more
Before the carrier goes back into regular use, cycle the zippers fully and check the tether clip again. This confirms nothing shifted or caught during the cleaning process.
Regular light vacuuming between deeper cleaning sessions keeps hair from building up in seams and mesh, which is the same principle that applies to other soft pet gear — see this guide on removing pet hair from car seats for a comparable dry-first approach on a different fabric surface. If your pet's bedding travels with the carrier, the same low-suction, dry-before-wet order of operations applies there too, as covered in this guide to removing pet hair from bedding. And for the lint roller step specifically, this comparison of a reusable pet hair roller versus a lint roller can help you decide which tool fits a travel bag best.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put my entire soft pet carrier in the washing machine?
Not necessarily — check the manufacturer's instructions first. Many carriers have a shell, liner, and stability board that each require different cleaning methods, and not every part is machine washable.
How do I clean mesh without damaging it?
Support the mesh gently with one hand while vacuuming it on low suction with the other. Avoid pressing an attachment hard against mesh, especially if it's already stretched or has small tears.
Should I remove the stability board before cleaning?
Only if the manufacturer indicates it's designed to be removed. If it does come out, clean and dry it separately from the fabric shell, and air dry it rather than using a machine dryer.
Is it safe to reassemble the carrier if one part is still slightly damp?
No — wait until every component is completely dry before putting the carrier back together. Reassembling while damp can trap moisture and lead to odor or warping.
When should I stop using a soft carrier instead of continuing to clean it?
Discontinue use if you find torn mesh, a broken frame piece, a zipper that won't close securely, or seams that have significantly separated. These are structural issues that cleaning doesn't resolve.
Sources
- https://sherpapet.com/faq
- https://sherpapet.com/products/sherpa-essential-pet-carrier-black-large
- https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/tips-vacuuming-pet-hair