How to Care for your Compression Garments

How to Care for your Compression Garments

Medical compression garments play a key role in lymphedema management. They essentially provided the resistance and pressure needed to prevent the re-accumulation of lymphedema fluids that have been evacuated by successful treatment. It is therefore important to maintain their elasticity, shape, and optimal therapeutic benefits with proper care.

How to wash compression socks and other compression garments Daily washing is essential to removing oils, dirt, perspiration, dead skin, and bacteria that may have accumulated inside the garment. Don’t worry—if done properly, frequent washing should not harm the quality of the compression garment. However, using the wrong dryer setting or the wrong cleaning agents may ruin it all together.

Manufacturers of medical compression garments will often provide complete care instructions on how to wash compression socks and other items from them. There are also general guidelines on proper washing and care, discussed below.

Should you wash of them by hand or use a washing machine?

Medical compression garments like socks, stockings, sleeves, vests, face masks, gauntlets, etc. can be hand or machine washed depending on your preference.

If you’re using a washing machine, be sure to put the garment in a mesh laundry bag. This will protect its fibers during the washing cycle. Set the machine to ‘gentle.’ The water temperature should not be hotter than 104° F or colder than 86° F. To preserve the color of darker garments, wash of them in cool water.

If you are washing by hand, start by putting water in a bucket, sink, or bowl. Get the compression garment gently into the water, dampening it. Put a small amount of appropriate washing solution (discussed below) and let the garment soak in there for a few minutes. Then, gently and carefully rub the fibers, making sure not to stretch them excessively. Empty the bowl and refill with water, and then rinse the garment thoroughly. Pay special attention to the seams where there may be residual oils and salts from perspiration. Remove excess water by gently squeezing the garment.

What washing solutions can you use?

Stay away from harsh cleansing solvents and petroleum-based cleaners because they can destroy the compression garment’s thin fibers. Use mild soaps or detergents. Make sure they are free of chlorine, bleach, fabric softeners, and other such additives.

How do you dry medical compression garments?

Now that you know how to wash compression socks and other compression items, it’s important to learn how to dry them. If you want to use a dryer, said the dial two a no-heat air drying cycle.

Exposure to excessive heat tends to weaken the elastic fibers. A no-heat dryer setting ensures that any silicone on the material is protected.

If you want to air dry, be careful not to squeeze, wring out, or pull the garment excessively in efforts to remove residual water. It’s best to roll up the garment in a towel and gently squeeze the towel to absorb some of the water and speed up the drying process. Lay the garment out to dry; never leave it rolled up in the towel.

Whether you choose air drying or machine drying, avoid exposing your medical compression garments to direct sunlight. Don’t hang them directly on a pole or rack to drip dry. Instead, put in a towel on a drying rack and carefully lay the garment on top of it to dry.