Is it possible and how to wash an elastic medical bandage in the washing machine and by hand

Compression products, including elastic bandages, are designed for long life. In the process of wearing, these items lose their original color, get dirty and look neglected. Let's consider what rules for caring for an elastic bandage should be followed - can it be washed, how to dry and store so that the medical device lasts a long time and does not lose its compression properties.

The structure of the elastic bandage

Elastic bandages are available as strips of different widths and lengths. The choice of size and degree of elongation depends on the patient's problems and the location of the fixation bandages.

The bandage consists of a base (usually cotton fabric), which includes latex threads and polyester fibers. Thanks to the stretchy threads, the application helps to hold the dressings and fix the joints.

Cotton-based dressings are hygienic - they allow the skin to breathe and allow oxygen to pass well. The instruction allows washing such products, they can be cut if necessary, since the threads do not break.

Another class of elastic bandage is the tubular knit. They are used to hold bandages. Elasticity is achieved through latex yarns and knitting.Such products quickly wear out due to sparse weaving, when cutting the edges crumble. Tubular bandages are cheap and do not resist wear and wash.

One of the key characteristics of a compression device is the degree of elongation, which determines how tight the bandage will seal and the type of compression it will provide. There are 3 classes of compression. Modern bandages have fastening and fastening devices - clips, special hooks or Velcro.

Help: You can wash elastic bandages with any degree of compression and different fastening elements.

How can the product be washed

During wearing, compression garments lose their freshness and become dirty. Washing becomes necessary. You should not refresh the products after every day of wearing, otherwise it will not last long. With consistent wear, depending on conditions, it is recommended to wash the compression garment every 7-14 days.

Look at Also

How to properly wash the embroidery with a cross on the canvas so that it does not fade

Dirt, dust, sweat secretions also negatively affect the strength of the threads, so you should not overtighten with washing.

By hand

Manufacturers and most users consider hand washing the gentlest way to get clothes clean. It doesn't take long and doesn't require a lot of effort.

Dressings are washed off with water at a temperature of 30-40 °, that is, a little warm. After the introduction of detergents, the thing is soaked to dissolve dirt.

Detergents are chosen according to the following rules:

1. Without whitening, often toxic ingredients, they are difficult to rinse. When worn, the residues of substances stuck inside the fabric irritate the skin when tightly bandaged.
2. Better to use liquid formulations, gels. They completely dissolve in water. Granules, powder particles are more difficult to dissolve in water and then to rinse away from the fibres.

You can choose non-aggressive children's detergents, laundry soap, phosphate-free mixtures.

Dressings are soaked in water in a straightened form and left for 20-30 minutes. The latest generation detergents effectively dissolve dirt in water at any temperature. Do not rub intensely, apply force, twist and deform the compression elements. If the contamination does not disappear, it is better to leave it in the water for another 5-10 minutes.

After washing, the plaster is rolled up into a roll and lightly pressed with a simple squeeze. Then rinse with water of the same temperature, changing the water several times.

There is an automatic machine in the washing machine

Modern washing machines with the ability to turn off unnecessary modes will allow you to wash a thing without damaging latex and polyester threads.

How to properly set modes and wash in a typewriter:

1. The bandage is rolled up in a loose ring and placed in a bag. Products placed in the form of a tape are more stretched, twisted, threads are torn and deformed.
2. The water temperature is 30-35°.
3. Detergents are better liquid, containing enzymes.
4. Whitening agents of any composition are not used so as not to destroy the latex.
5. The mode is delicate, at minimum revs.
6. Spinning - when drying, there is a high risk of the latex threads breaking.

Look at Also

How to properly wash thermal underwear, how to clean things and what not to do

You can also turn off rinse mode and manually empty the item of detergent into the basin.In general, machine washing is carried out in the gentlest and shortest cycle in order to shorten the exposure time to water and detergents, in order to minimize twisting of the dressing.

How to dry well after washing

Dry the elastic bandages in a straightened form on a flat surface - lay out the fabric or mesh. It is impossible to hang products on the ropes, since the elastic threads under their own weight and in the presence of water stretch strongly.

For drying, choose well-ventilated places away from heating elements (batteries, air heaters). Do not dry the products in the sun, towel dryer. This will shorten the service life and reduce the compression properties.

How to extend the life

Good quality elastic bandages with heavy use and well maintained will last 3-4 months. Before using compression products, you should carefully read the instructions, read the manufacturer's advice.

Here are some useful tips to increase your life expectancy:

1. Use the correct bandaging technique - no twisting of the fabric, with the recommended tension.
2. Do not throw removed bandages in haphazard piles - roll them into a loose roll.
3. Wash only when necessary - you shouldn't simply refresh a product that is practically clean.
4. Wash only in cold water without harsh detergents - preferably by hand or in delicate machine mode.
5. It is impossible to iron, bleach, hang to dry the product.
6. For consistent wear, it's best to have an interchangeable set of dressings so there's no need for accelerated drying.

The same care is required for all compression-type products - socks, tights, bandages.

Note that expensive high-end elastic bandages, which have a long service life, also require special care.

Proper washing of medical compression products guarantees the preservation of properties and the possibility of long-term use. The ability to take good care of the item will save money; you won't need to constantly buy a new item due to quality loss.