Cleaning compression garments

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cowgal
cowgal Member Posts: 833
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

The person that fit me for my compression sleeve told me that I could wear it for several days before I would need to clean it.  The directions that came with the sleeve said to clean it after every use.  Obviously, if it is dirty it needs to be cleaned but I was wondering if there is any problem with the sleeve getting too stretched out by wearing it for more than one day in a row and therefore maybe not being as effective.  On the other hand laundering too often would shorten the life of the sleeve.  What does everyone else do?

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  • Suzybelle
    Suzybelle Member Posts: 920
    edited January 2011

    I wear mine a couple of times before I wash them - and I wash them on cold, on the gentle cycle using regular detergent, then lay them flat to dry.  I do the same thing with my compression bandages, only I stick them in a laundry bag so that I don't have a big tangle to deal with.

     Best of luck to you!

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  • Sher
    Sher Member Posts: 540
    edited January 2011

    I think most manufacturers recommend daily washing - something to do with shape retention.  My garments are Juzo and unless I've only worm them a few hours, I do machine wash and dry on delicate cycle daily.

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited January 2011

    I also do the daily routine, wash and dry on delicate with Ivory Snow, no bleach or other additives (except some baking soda, which is a poor woman's Oxy-clean). Especially during flu season, keeping our garments clean is one way of trying to staying well. Here's a section on garment hygiene for ways to keep them clean:

    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/How_You_Can_Cope_with_Lymphedema.htm#GLOVES_AND_HYGIENE

    Amazing the obscure issues we run into with this stupid stuff!Tongue out

    Be well,
    Binney

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  • Smile_On
    Smile_On Member Posts: 141
    edited February 2011

    Thanks for the tips ladies.  I'd only been washing my sleeve weekly.  Looks like I need to step it up a bit.  How many sleeves do you have?  I'm thinking I may want 2 to wear for daily use (in case one is still wet from washing) and then use 1 for things that are particularly messy like painiting or baking.  I figured I'd use the sleeve I just "retired" for the messy things.  I had heard somewhere else to keep that "retired" sleeve for swimming in.  I still have my orginal sleeve, but I started using it in Dec. and my LE therapist said I need a new one every 3 months to maintain correct compression.  I don't know that my insurance will pay for that many, but it is important enough that I will pay for whatever they won't.

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited February 2011

    Smile, you may have a special reason why your garments need to be replaced every three months, but most of us go six months between replacements. If your LE is "fussy" enough to need new garments every three months, then do check with your therapist about wearing the retired ones for any other use, since it could cause you problems if the swelling is that sensitive.

    If your insurance limits you to one set at a time you could try appealing, because most insurance companies will consider two sets of garments necessary so you can wash one and wear the other.

    Do you have a glove (or gauntlet) that you wear with the sleeve? If not, that's something else to consider. Here's the reasoning on that, from Dr. Andrea Cheville, one of our leading LE doctors:

    http://lymphedivas.com/lymphedema/gauntletandsleeve/

    With my insurance I get two sets of garments every six months, but for me they're actually wearable for around nine months, so I have some carry-over that allows me to do the stupid laundry a little less often.Laughing (My current brand of garments holds up well, but others I've tried haven't, so maybe it depends a bit on the brand you're using too.)

    Be well!
    Binney

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  • mrsnjband
    mrsnjband Member Posts: 1,409
    edited February 2011

    I was told to wash & dry my sleeves everyday to return the "tightness" to them. I did this at first but then got lazy and washed them every couple of days.  I have a new set and I'm still only washing every couple of days.  It was recommended to use "ALL ~ free & clear"

    My insurance will only pay for 2 garments a year.  My doctor did write a letter to appeal that for me to get a glove but I never got around to getting the glove.  Since I learned how to do the manual lymph drainage I don't have as much trouble with my hand.  I have noticed that my hand tends to flare when we travel. (just driving)

    I ordered my new sleeves online which was almost half the price of going to the fitter.  I wouldn't have done this if I hadn't gone to a fitter first. 

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