Cleaning your stethoscope :(

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Specializes in Pain Management, RN experience was in ER.

Hi, I was wondering if anyone had a magical cure for getting stains and pen marks off the tubing of your stethoscope that doesn't invovle buying new tubing or alcohol swabs. I really like my baby pink littman tubing :(

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why dont you try to swipe it with cotton with alcohol.it did especially if it is stained with ink ballpen.just try it

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Try some Oxyclean. Make a sol'n and saturate a towel. Wrap this around your tubing and let it soak for a couple of hours. Rinse. That should do it. Just an idea of what I would try.:idea:

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I would be cautious about trying anything on the Littmann other than soap, water or alcohol....These are Littmann's recommendations for cleaning. If you use something else, it could void any warrenty you have on the scope.

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I found that alcohol wipes worked really well. And I did not buy them, I just used the ones at work in between patients.

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Specializes in LTC/ rehab/ dialysis.

Yeppers ~ alcohol pads from work will do the trick!!~!!!

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Specializes in Pain Management, RN experience was in ER.

Oh believe me, I've used alcohol pads like candy. I've taken a handful home from work to try on it. It helps a little, but there are still stains even though I use alcohol pads consistantly every day :( The oxyclean sounds like an idea, but aren't you supposed to avoid submerging your steth in anything? Thanks for all of your help!

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Don't submerge it in the oxyclean. Just saturate a towel in Oxyclean sol'n and wrap it around the rubber tubing being careful not to get the metal ear pieces or bell wet. Roll it up in the wet towel like a 'pig in a blanket'. Lay this on top of the washing machine or dryer so you wont make a mess and let it stand for a couple of hours. That should get it squeaky clean.

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Alcohol does the tricks but since u said u've tried it with little positive outcome may be its time to use the oxyclean but be careful not to spoil your broth yourself in the quest of perfection.

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I suggest you call the manufacture of that scope. You don't want to end up with a scope that doesn't work. Good luck

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Specializes in med surg/tele.

How about a good ol' Mr. Clean sponge. I'm constantly amazed at what that little gem will clean up!

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Specializes in Mother Baby & pre-hospital EMS.

Have you found that using alcohol wipes to clean the tubing of your stethoscopes makes the tubing crack (because it is dry)?

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