If your provider has recommended a medical or sports brace for an injury, you might be wondering how often to clean it and how to take care of it.
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Athletic trainer Brian Warner answers questions about how to maintain braces properly to keep them smelling fresh and looking clean.
Q: Besides keeping odor away, why is it important to clean braces?
A: Depending on what kind of brace you have, a medical or athletic brace can be rather costly. Maintaining and cleaning it will help extend its life.
Also, when you don’t clean braces regularly, they not only start to smell bad, but they also can sometimes cause health problems, such as folliculitis, ringworm and even staph infections.
Q: Can leaving a brace on for too long create problems?
A: Yes. Wearing a brace will increase your body temperature in that region, causing moisture to accumulate. Over time, this can cause skin deterioration. If you’re not being active, you should take the brace off to allow your skin and the brace to dry out.
Knowing which type of brace you have, and when it makes sense to wear it, is important. Not every brace needs to be worn all the time.Of course, you should always follow the recommendations of the healthcare professional who prescribed the brace to you. Contact your provider if you have questions about when you should or shouldn’t wear the brace.
Q: How often should you clean your brace?
A: It depends on the type of brace and the activities you engage in. For a simple sleeve or brace without metal components, it’s probably safe to launder every few days. For a larger brace (for example an ACL or OA brace) with a metal structure, wipe it down with a damp washcloth or baby wipe after each day.
Daily maintenance will prolong the life of the brace, as well as make the brace more comfortable to wear.
Q: What is the proper way to clean your brace?
A: Most braces come with a set of cleaning instructions that you should follow. For most of them, a mild soap or laundry detergent and cold water will do the trick. Allow the brace to air-dry, or leave it out in the sun to freshen up.
For athletic braces that get heavy use, you can also spray lightly or wipe them with disinfectant and allow them to air-dry.Avoid storing braces in a gym bag or other area that does not get good ventilation and avoid putting the brace away dirty or damp.
Q: Are there any natural brace-cleaning options?
A: A mixture of baking soda and a small amount of vinegar will keep the brace clean and help control odors. There are also great natural or plant-based cleaning products available that will do the trick.
Q: What other types of maintenance do braces need?
A: It depends on what type of brace it is and how it’s designed. For example, exposed hinged braces may need to be lubricated. You should inspect the straps regularly for wear and tear. Some manufacturers also sell replacement parts.
Q: How do you know when it’s time for a new brace?
A: If the straps or seams are tearing or if any rigid components are coming loose, it’s time to replace the brace if that component cannot be exchanged for a new part.
Another reason to replace your brace is if the fit has changed, either due to wear or changes in your body. An ill-fitting brace can create more problems than it helps. If the brace becomes too loose or too tight, consider getting a new one.
FAQs
For most of them, a mild soap or laundry detergent and cold water will do the trick. Allow the brace to air-dry, or leave it out in the sun to freshen up. For athletic braces that get heavy use, you can also spray lightly or wipe them with disinfectant and allow them to air-dry.
How do you clean a medical wrist brace? ›
Wipe Your Wrist Brace With a Damp Cloth or Wipe Daily
Although you don't need to clean your carpal tunnel wrist brace thoroughly every day, experts recommend that you wipe it down with an antibacterial wipe or damp, soapy cloth daily.
How to clean a medical knee brace? ›
A mild detergent will effectively remove sweat, dirt, and bacteria without compromising the brace's integrity. If your knee brace has a strong odor, you can also use a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar to help neutralize the smell. Dilute the vinegar solution and gently wipe the brace with a cloth or sponge.
How often should you wash a knee brace? ›
For optimal holding, clean the silicone parts every two days in addition to machine washing every week.
How do you clean orthotic braces? ›
Rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol are great options to kill both odor and bacteria. Pour onto a clean cloth and give each part of the brace a thorough wipe down. Regular soap and water also work well. But never submerge the braces under water.
How do you clean braces bands? ›
Get alcohol free mouthwash and gargle with it 3 times a day, making sure to keep it in your mouth for at least 2 minutes at a time. This should be able to break up most stains, but not all of them. If you are serious about removing them, use a bit of sodium bicarbonate and apply it to a toothbrush.
How do you clean a medical splint? ›
Keep wearing your splint until your doctor or therapist tells you that you no longer need to wear it. Your splint should be cleaned every day. A nurse, family member or friend may do this. Wash the splint with a washcloth and lukewarm soapy water.
Can you wash a med spec wrist brace? ›
A: We have four or five Med Spec wrist braces. We have two for each wrist — right and left. We wash them by hand in warm water with dish detergent, wrap them in a dry towel to absorb excess water, and then hang them up to dry, sometimes putting the thumb strap around a hanger or drying rack rung.
How to get smell out of brace? ›
A mixture of baking soda and a small amount of vinegar can keep your brace clean and help control odors.
How to make a wrist brace more comfortable? ›
In addition, ensure that the braces hinges are in place and be sure to adjust them accordingly regularly. Also, your braces may have tapes, straps, and loops that require fastening regularly. For a comfortable brace fit, be sure to secure your braces to remain in position, not too loose or too tight.
Cleaning the brace
Most back braces are not designed to be machine washed or dried—it is generally advised to hand wash the brace using water and a mild soap. Any additional padding or panels should be removed first and washed separately. A brace should be laid flat or hung to dry.
How do you clean orthodontics? ›
Six Tips for Cleaning Your Teeth With Braces
- Use a soft toothbrush. Cleaning the top part of your teeth between your brackets and gums is essential. ...
- Brush after every meal. ...
- Do not use too much toothpaste. ...
- Brush your teeth for two minutes. ...
- Use a floss threader or waterpik. ...
- Clean with mouthwash at night.
General Recommendations. In the initial stages of recovery or following a knee injury, wearing a knee brace for 2 to 4 hours at a time can provide good support and stability. Gradually, as your knee strengthens and the healing progresses, you may not need to wear your brace for as long.
Can I put my wrist brace in the washing machine? ›
Your splint may be washed by hand in warm – not hot – soapy water. Remove the metal post first. 2. Do not put in the washing machine as this may cause it to change shape.
Is it okay to leave a knee brace on overnight? ›
While sleeping with knee braces may help your body's natural healing processes, it can also come with some drawbacks. For example, prolonged wear of a knee brace during sleep can lead to skin irritation, rashes, or pressure sores, especially if the brace is not properly fitted or if your skin is sensitive.
How to stop a wrist brace from smelling? ›
A: A mixture of baking soda and a small amount of vinegar will keep the brace clean and help control odors. There are also great natural or plant-based cleaning products available that will do the trick.
How do you clean a stinky ankle brace? ›
Generally, a mild soap or laundry detergent and cold water will clean the liner. You should air-dry the liner or leave it out in the sun on a clothesline. We don't recommend putting a liner in the dryer. A mixture of baking soda and a small amount of vinegar can keep your brace clean and help control odors.
Can you put a brace in the washing machine? ›
A dirty brace can become a breeding ground for bacteria, so you'll want to wash your knee brace. The safest way to wash your brace is by hand, but some braces can be washed in a washing machine on a gentle cycle.
How do you clean the inside of braces brackets? ›
An inter-dental toothbrush will clean under your archwire and in between the brackets. This is very important as plaque and debris can build up and cannot be properly removed without the use of this toothbrush.
