How To Clean Your Prosthetic Liner | Key Tips

It is important to daily clean your prosthetic liner thoroughly in order to prevent bacterial growth, infection, skin irritation and odor.
Cleaning a prosthetic liner may seem like a simple task, but I get a lot of questions about how to clean a prosthetic liner. . .
How often do i need to clean my liner?
What do I use to clean my liner?
How do I dry the liner?
Any ingredients I should avoid when cleaning my prosthetic liner?
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: The information provided in these videos are for educational purposes only, and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider or prosthetist if you're seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.

[@TheLegLady]

There is not one single right way to clean a prosthetic liner but this is the information and suggestions I give to my patients. Let me know though! What is your routine for cleaning your liner?

[@deborahharris1555]

I have been an amputee for 6 months now and I'm glad I watch your show about cleaning the liner

[@TheLegLady]

Hi Deborah, I hope it was helpful and wishing you the best!

[@andthatsthewayitis4173]

I've had my leg for two years now. I had experienced a bad fungus skin infection even though I washed them daily. My cardio nurse whose husband had a prosthetic leg and she told me what they used. She said that the mildest soap was vinegar. They bought douches and cleaned the liners. Well, that's expensive. I found the right formula and mixed my own with distilled water and white vinegar. But later on I discovered that if I just put a little water in the bottom of the liner, add some dish soap, a little vinegar and a squirt of hydrogen peroxide, this makes the best cleaner. Hydrogen peroxide is an odor destroyer. Now back to the fungus thing. I also would wash my stump with vinegar in the bath to help clear the fungus ( I was on medicine as well as fungal creams) and I think it did help. It cleared fast. I still wash my stump with vinegar as a preventative plus I'm cleaning my liners with it. I just keep the liner like it is and I take a wet clean wash cloth and I scrub the bottom good and then go up the inside walls and scrub those good, dump and rinse and then I roll it up in a towel to squeeze the water out, turn it inside out and roll it up again from the top of the liner rolling towards the pin and then dry good and air dry.

[@TheLegLady]

Glad you were able to find something to help! Fungal infections can be hard to clear up and keep clear. Is that something you are doing everyday or just using periodically/as needed?

[@andthatsthewayitis4173]

@@TheLegLady No, I finished up the prescribed medication, it started showing signs of clearing up in about a week. I do the vinegar solution everyday with the liner and wash my leg with vinegar everyday as well. Yes I keep creams on hand in case it looks like it is coming back.

[@pooboobob]

LAK 4 years now, the best suggestion thats worked for me was to use hibiclense, the same soap thats used before surgery as it is anti microbal, antisceptic and I've never run into any liner hygiene or skin problems, I bought one foam dispenser and the refills are not too expensive.

[@TheLegLady]

Another good suggestion! I do see hibiclense recommended frequently.

[@wesleylewis2608]

How do we clean the outside of the liner

[@TheLegLady]

Typically don't have to worry about the outside too much, but you can hand wash the same as you would the inside. If it needs a deeper clean, I don't recommend you do this too often, but I have had some people occasionally wash them in the washing machine with cold water and on gentle cycle. Do not use detergent though and still let them air dry.