How to sterilise bandage pads

[sam72431]

Sorry for weird post. Very long complicated story short after surgery horse has cellulitis she has just got back from vets for second time and after this dressing comes off we are back to stable bandages. Going to buy new gamgee/fibergee pads as can't get on with eskadron ones and I've been told they need to be clean but not been told they need to be sterile but I'm now a bit paranoid. So is it worth having two sets and washing them every few days in that antibacterial washing powder or should I just keep buying new ones or should I wash by hand or..... Any help very much appreciated!! I am going a little bit crazy I think 🤪🤪

 

[be positive]

I would have at least 2 sets and wash after every change, they dry quickly so it should be easy to keep on top of it probably going through a machine would be better than hand washing but I would think as long as they are always fresh, dry and clean that should suffice, the other option for the first few days would be to use gamgee using new each time and moving onto pads after that runs out.

 

[ester]

I was going to suggest autoclaving, not at all practical lol.

What washing powder are you using? I would probably use a laundry cleanser (they go in the softener drawer)

 

[Goldenstar]

I add dettol to the wash water .

 

[cobgoblin]

Boil them on the stove.

 

[[69117]]

When I ran a rehab yard we just used rolls of gamgee for cellulitis so it was fresh every time.

 

[sam72431]

Thanks for the help everyone. Do you think I need to also make sure that the bandages are very clean or should this not matter as not actually touching the skin? I've never ever dealt with cellulitis as you can probably tell! Thanks

 

[windand rain]

Nappies and sanitary towels are sterile in te packets so you could utilise those they do need to be kept sealed and in a clean place though

 

[Fransurrey]

I was going to suggest autoclaving, not at all practical lol.

What washing powder are you using? I would probably use a laundry cleanser (they go in the softener drawer)

Actually, if you've got a large pot, OP, you could bodge a 'benchtop' autoclave by putting the pads into a colander in a large pot with 1 inch of water and a lid on. Steam for 15 minutes. Jobsaguddun!

 

[Velcrobum]

When I ran a rehab yard we just used rolls of gamgee for cellulitis so it was fresh every time.

Totally agree, the dressing is clean each time it is changed.

 

[poiuytrewq]

When I ran a rehab yard we just used rolls of gamgee for cellulitis so it was fresh every time.

This was my thought! It’s cheap enough to throw after using

 

[sam72431]

Thanks for everyone's help I've gone for gamgee which I can throw away each time. Hopefully she is on the mend now 🤞