Stethoscope Guide

A well-cared-for Littmann can last a decade. Most damage comes from a few common mistakes: harsh chemicals, heat and skin oils. Here is how to keep yours clean and working like new.

Daily: wipe it down

• Wipe the chestpiece, diaphragm and tubing with a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe between patients.
• Let it air dry before putting it back around your neck.

Weekly: clean the eartips

• Pull the eartips off the headset.
• Wash them in warm soapy water or wipe them with alcohol, then dry them fully.
• Push them back on until they click into place.

Clean the diaphragm

Remove the diaphragm from the chestpiece, wipe both sides and the inside of the rim with alcohol, let everything dry, and fit it back carefully so it sits evenly.

What to avoid

• Never soak the stethoscope or put it in liquid.
• No heat: do not leave it in a hot car, which is a real risk in Kuwait's summer, or near a heater.
• No oils or lotions: skin oils and hand creams harden the tubing over time. Wearing it over your collar instead of on bare skin helps.
• No harsh chemicals: avoid acetone, bleach and strong solvents.

Store it properly

Keep it loose and uncoiled, away from direct sunlight. A hard-shell stethoscope case protects it in your bag, and a stethoscope holder keeps it off your neck during long shifts.

When to replace parts

If the eartips crack or the diaphragm tears, replace those parts rather than the whole stethoscope. If the tubing becomes stiff or cracked, it is time for a new one.

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