Is it possible to wash the post-operative bandage?

A medical bandage is a special device for fixing a certain part of the body after surgery or treatment, as well as during pregnancy and after childbirth. The textile product is made of synthetic fiber, so the bandage can be washed in a machine or by hand. To ensure that the elastic fabric does not lose its shock-absorbing properties during the cleaning process and that the fixing bandage continues to perform its therapeutic and prophylactic functions, you must follow the washing rules recommended by doctors.

Why can the bandage be washed?

Translated from French, the word “bandage” means bandage. This special orthopedic product is made of latex material and has various inserts that perform a medical or cosmetic function. There are several varieties of this device, but they all perform one universal function - they fix the damaged part of the body, allowing you to avoid further problems.

A maternity belt is primarily designed to prevent stretching of the abdominal wall. It reduces the load on a woman’s back and spinal column, relieves muscles, and supports the fetus and abdomen in a certain position.
Postoperative bandages are used after abdominal surgery.
Orthopedic bandages are used to fix a damaged ankle, knee or elbow joint.

Over time, compression products become dirty and require cleaning.The postoperative bandage is made of elastic fabric, which is particularly durable and wear-resistant thanks to polyester fiber and polypropylene thread. The maternity belt is made of elastic, breathable fabric, which contains a large percentage of cotton, absorbs moisture well and does not cause allergies. Orthopedic bandages and belts are made of cotton and polyester. These textiles can be washed, and the washing method depends on the composition of the material and the complexity of the design.

How to wash a bandage by hand?

Medical fixation products are often equipped with Velcro, hooks, fasteners, and stiffeners, so they must be washed very carefully. After all, only proper care guarantees the durability of this complex structure.

Before washing, clean the surface of the product from dust and adhering dirt using a soft brush. Fasten the Velcro, pull out the stiffeners and laces, if any.
Fill a basin or bath with warm water (temperature maximum 30°C) and add detergent. Neoprene bands can only be washed with a mild detergent recommended for washing children's clothes. If the product contains wool, you should choose a liquid detergent for wool. It is better to wash cotton with liquid soap.
The product is soaked in a container with soapy water for 20–30 minutes.
Wash with a soft brush, being careful not to bend or deform it.
Rinse several times in cool water and place on a wire rack placed above the bath to drain excess liquid. It is not recommended to twist the product.

Do not use bleaches, stain removers or alkaline soaps to wash compression garments.Only potassium soap and baby laundry detergent are suitable.

It is strictly forbidden to boil the product, dry it in a machine, on a radiator, or steam it with an iron. When exposed to high temperatures, the belt will lose its elasticity and shock-absorbing properties.

After the water has drained, the bandage is laid out on a towel spread on a table in a well-ventilated area and left to dry completely.

How to wash a bandage in a washing machine?

If the design allows, compression products can be washed in the machine. In this case, the main thing is that the bandage does not contain rigid, non-removable parts. Otherwise, not only the belt, but also parts of the washing machine may be damaged.

Here are some tips on how to properly wash a product in automatic mode.

The washing program is “delicate” for synthetic materials.
Water temperature – no more than +30°С.
Automatic spinning must be disabled.
It is worth activating the extra rinse function.

For machine washing, it is better to use liquid detergents without bleaches or stain removers.

If you follow the rules for washing the bandage, even after cleaning it will retain its healing properties and will serve faithfully for as long as necessary.