Washing an elastic bandage in the washing machine

A compression bandage, unlike a gauze bandage, can be used more than once, but for a long time. In order for the product to retain its original properties for a long time, it must be properly cared for. Let's figure out whether it is permissible to wash an elastic bandage in a washing machine and what products are suitable for removing contaminants.

Basic principle of care

Some people wear an elastic bandage daily. Compression tape helps with vein diseases, with its help the pressure on the legs is distributed more evenly. The bandage is also effective for sprains. In addition, it reliably fixes joints, preventing injuries, which is highly valued by athletes.

An elastic bandage can be synthetic or cotton.

Cotton based headbands are more suitable for daily use. Therefore, if the doctor recommended constant wearing of the tape for a long period, you should opt for such bandages. Synthetic dressings are made from polyurethane or rubber fiber. The composition of the bandage is stated on the label. Such tapes are less subject to wear and are stronger, therefore they are most often used by athletes.

The rubber structure of compression bandages makes it possible to use the products for a long time. If you properly care for the tapes, they will retain their properties for many months. It is preferable to wash elastic bandages by hand, but it is also acceptable to put them in a washing machine. Compression bandages quickly deteriorate when exposed to high temperatures.Therefore, it is so important to wash them on a delicate cycle, with water heating no more than 30°C with the spin switched off. It is strictly forbidden to iron elastic bands.

How to use the machine?

Before throwing bandages into the washing machine, be sure to read the product tag. The label contains all the tips for caring for the bandage. If the manufacturer allows machine washing, then:

• Roll up the compression bandage and place the “bundle” in a special mesh bag for washing;
• add a few extra items to the drum. It is impossible to “drive” only one bandage in an empty machine; the machine may become unbalanced;
• select a gentle wash program. Make sure that the water heating temperature does not exceed 30°C;
• disable the “Spin” option, if provided;
• pour washing gel into the powder receptacle. The liquid composition will not spoil the structure of the bandage and is better rinsed out of the fabric fibers;
• start the cycle.

You cannot load elastic bandages into the washing drum in a “straightened” form; be sure to roll them into a “roll”.

The spin must be turned off so as not to disturb the structure of the compression bandage. If you spin the bandage in a drum at high speeds, you can cause the fibers to deform and break.

Traditional cleaning method

As already mentioned, it is best to wash the elastic band on your hands. This way you can ensure better and more gentle cleaning of the product. But how to do it right? There are several nuances:

• You need to first soak the bandage in soapy water for 15-20 minutes. Due to this, the dirt will get wet and “come off” faster;
• be sure to fill the basin or machine with cool water – not hotter than 30°C;
• Do not use conditioners and rinses;
• It is advisable to use liquid detergents;
• there is no need to forcefully rub the elastic bandage with your hands - this can ruin the structure of the material;
• Do not twist the compression tape when rinsing and spinning so that it does not lose its shape.

There is nothing difficult about hand washing an elastic bandage. Just fill a basin with cool water, add liquid gel, and soak the tape for 20 minutes. Then you need to use gentle, kneading movements to clean off the dirt from the bandage and rinse the product. You cannot twist the bandage, so to remove excess moisture you need to squeeze it between two terry towels. Next, the product is dried in a well-ventilated area, in a horizontal position.

How to remove stains?

Increased attention should be paid to the selection of cleaning products. When washing elastic bandages, be sure to use only liquid detergents: gels, balms. Dry laundry detergent should be avoided for a number of reasons:

• some of the granules will still “get stuck” in the fibers of the fabric, since the washing temperature is low;
• They usually contain aggressive components that have a negative effect on rubber.

The use of conventional powders is fraught with loss of elasticity of compression bandages.

Therefore, it is better to pour gels for delicate fabrics into the machine. For manual cleaning, in addition to liquid products, it is allowed to use baby or laundry soap. For people prone to allergies to household chemicals, it is better to soak the bandage in cold water for a couple of hours after washing. This way, the remaining product will be completely removed from the fibers and will not cause skin irritation.

Recommendations from experts

Often, when washing elastic bandages, people make simple mistakes that lead to the bandage “failing” ahead of time.To prevent this from happening, it is important to follow the basic recommendations of specialists.

1. There is no need to wash the compression bandage often after each wear. It is worth starting cleaning as the product becomes dirty. The structure of the fabric is very fragile, and it is undesirable to expose it to household chemicals again. You should also not delay cleaning - this can lead to drying out and breaking of the elastic threads.
2. Do not use hot water. The optimal temperature is no more than 30°C.
3. It is better not to use loose powders. It is also worth giving up conditioners and rinses.
4. When hand washing, do not rub the bandage too hard and do not wring it while twisting the bandage.
5. There is no need to iron the compression bandage to help it dry faster. Exposure to high degrees will be detrimental to the elastic band.
6. Run the most delicate mode when loading the bandage into the automatic machine. This should be a gentle wash in cold water, without spinning.

Dry the compression bandage strictly horizontally, on a towel. It is prohibited to hang the ribbon on a rope - under the weight of water, the fabric fibers will stretch and the product will lose its shape. It is unacceptable to place the headband on a radiator or in direct sunlight.

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