Recovering from an arm injury or managing arm discomfort often means your arm sling becomes a part of your daily life. You can wear this orthopedic gear for mild sprain, a fracture, or post-surgery care, while performing daily activities, like dressing yourself, preparing a meal, washing dishes, vacuuming, etc.
While doing these activities, the arm sling quickly picks up sweat, skin oils, and dirt. Keeping it well-maintained and clean shouldn't be overwhelming since you can follow the easy arm sling cleaning guide.
Consider Leeford Ortho Arm Sling, which is made from durable, breathable, and skin-friendly materials. Regular cleaning ensures that it stays properly supportive and free from odor throughout your recovery journey.
In this arm sling cleaning guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know:
- How often should I wash my arm sling?
- Can I machine wash my arm sling?
- Can I put my arm sling in the dryer?
- What detergent is safe for cleaning a medical sling?
- How do I clean the straps or padding?
- How do I prevent my sling from smelling?
How Often Should I Wash My Arm Sling?
Always check the care label before washing.
For daily wear/heavy use: It is often recommended to wash it at least once a week. You can wipe it with a damp cloth with mild detergent. Wipe it after every use to drive away odors, especially if you sweat.
For light use: Your doctor might recommend washing it every two weeks, or every 4-5 uses.
It is often advised to wash the arm sling regularly if you start to experience skin irritation around your knee area.
How to Clean an Arm Sling?
Follow these easy cleaning tips for medical arm slings and steps to maintain them:
- Hand wash gently using a mild detergent; lightly scrub areas with visible dirt or sweat. Avoid using a washing machine and twisting it.
- When drying, avoid direct sunlight and refrain from using electric dryers, as this can cause the fabric to shrink or loosen.
- The main reason for not twisting the arm sling is to prevent wrinkles, so no ironing is needed. Ironing it might melt its padding or destroy the Velcro straps.
- Place the arm sling to dry in an airy, shady area. This protects the fabric from losing its color and elasticity.
- Avoid using fabric softeners, as they might damage your arm sling fabric as well as cause skin irritation.
- Store it in a dry place when you're not using it. This protects it from moisture, which causes bacterial formation.
Can I Machine Wash My Arm Sling?
The answer to this question shouldn't come from your own decision or people who are not healthcare experts. Most slings, like Leeford Ortho Arm Sling, are crafted with soft and lightweight PU form materials. These materials are basically safe for hand washing; however, machine washing should be done with caution. If allowed to machine wash, follow these steps:
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Review cleaning instructions: Start by checking the care tag to see whether it's machine washable or hand-washable.
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Use a mesh bag: Make sure to place your arm brace inside a mesh wash pouch. This is meant to protect it from losing its elasticity, getting tangled, or getting damaged.
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Wash it separately: Make sure not to wash the arm sling alone, as this might damage its padding. Just add a few other light clothes to wash them together with them.
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Use chemical-free detergent: Wash the arm sling with mild laundry soap.
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Maintain a gentle cycle: Select a gentle or delicate cycle with cold or lukewarm water. This protects the padding and Velcro straps from ripping or getting loose.
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Air dry: Avoid using an electric dryer after washing the arm sling. Let it dry in a shady-airy area. Make sure to avoid direct sunlight because it has the potential to damage the arm sling’s fabric.
Consider a Leeford Ortho Arm Sling Pouch if you’re having a hard time following the machine wash guidelines. It can be easily maintained by simple handwashing methods, making it hassle-free and convenient to save time.
Can I Put My Arm Sling in the Dryer?
Maintaining the correct form of your sling is crucial. Any deformation often affects how well your arm gets supported, as well as its recovery. However, this can trigger various disadvantages, like:
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Shrinking: The heat from the dryer can cause the arm slings’ fabrics to shrink, especially if the heat is too high.
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Misshaping: Heat from the dryer may cause deformation of the arm sling to the extent that it becomes uncomfortable to wear.
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Damage to materials: Arm slings are often made with elastic, Velcro, and other technical fabrics. These materials can be easily damaged by prolonged heat, and you find yourself changing an arm sling in shorter periods of use.
What Detergent Is Safe for Cleaning a Medical Sling?
Choosing detergents to use on your arm sling is an important factor. To prevent risks of discomfort, skin irritation, rashes, or damaging the arm sling fabrics, use these detergents:
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Mild soap: A simple soap and water mixture is often recommended for cleaning and is effective for removing dirt and oils.
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Mild laundry detergent: Choose a mild, gentle laundry detergent, preferably one without optical brighteners, which can damage fibers over time.
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Unscented soap: Use these detergents to prevent skin irritation, whether you have sensitive skin or not.
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White vinegar: This is a natural option to harsh chemicals. A 1:1 mixture of water and undistilled white vinegar can help with odors and stains.
How Do I Clean the Straps or Padding?
Straps and padding are the parts of your sling that get the most contact. Here’s how to thoroughly clean them:
- Take off the straps or padding from the sling. (if applicable)
- Gently wipe the straps or padding with a soft cloth dipped in chemical-free soapy water.
- Use a soft brush to scrub Velcro areas and corners gently. This removes trapped dust or dirt.
- Rinse them with clean water to get rid of detergent residue.
- Dry them in a shady, airy place before reattaching to the sling.
How Do I Prevent My Sling from Smelling?
An unpleasant smell or bad odor often results from sweat and bacteria. You can sweat while doing daily activities, especially when the weather temperatures are so high. In this situation, it is recommended to:
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Clean your injured arm: Wash your arm with mild soap and dry it completely before wearing the arm sling again.
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Stay hydrated: Always drink lots of water to regulate your core temperature. This can help prevent excessive sweating.
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Wash properly: You can either wipe or wash the arm sling after using it. Leaving it unwashed for a long time will allow the odor to become strong and hard to get rid of.
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Soak for a few minutes: Soak the arm support brace in cold, clean water with mild soap for a few minutes before washing it.
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Apply arm sling’s washing precautions: Always check and abide by the precautions on how to maintain an arm sling. The instructions are provided depending on the manufacturer.
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Replace the arm sling: Consider changing your arm sling from an old one to a new one. The smell may be a sign that you have used it for a prolonged period.
These cleaning tips for a medical arm sling not only keep it from smelling but also ensure your recovery is as clean, comfortable, and irritation-free as possible.
Wrapping Up
Cleaning and maintaining your arm sling is not difficult with simple practices. Maintaining the hygiene of your arm sling and arm area helps prevent bacterial growth, even when the sling is worn for extended periods. Whether you’re dealing with forearm pain, dislocation, sprain, strain, or joint instability, proper arm support ensures it stays fresh, functional, and comfortable during recovery.
Next time you wonder how to maintain your arm sling, consider arm slings designed for reliable arm support using lightweight and breathable fabrics, like the ones from the brand Leeford Ortho. These are easy to maintain and provide consistent arm support, helping you recover conveniently, discomfort-free, and hassle-free.
