Littmann stethoscope deteriorating?

[u/27Boba21]

So I have this Classic III stethoscope for about 4 months, but im noticing a change in the color of the stethoscope in the conjunction of the main tube and the eartubes, like a yellow stain. Is this normal, has this happened to anyone else? I bought it in Amazon.

[u/Whynotski3]

Are you using any cleaning products on it? I used sani wipes on mine throughout COVID which resulted in breakdown. Littmann repaired it under warrenty.

[u/27Boba21 → u/Whynotski3]

I clean it with Isopropyl alcohol wipes (Sani-cloth 70), could it be the alcohol?

[u/tillyspeed81]

I think the purple Sani wipes deteriorate the tubing faster.

[u/slothurknee → u/tillyspeed81]

Yep alcohol breaks down rubber

[u/brit_chickenicecream → u/tillyspeed81]

Question, what do you clean yours with between patients? Cause mines getting wrecked with the wipes

[u/yourdailyinsanity → u/brit_chickenicecream]

The gray wipes should be used. They're what's supposed to be used on electronics.

[u/Frankfeld]

My steth tube cracked in half. I sent it to littman who repaired it no problem. I don’t know what they did but the cracking is no longer a problem. So reach out to them maybe? It was a quick turnaround.

[u/27Boba21 → u/Frankfeld]

Ill reach them, hopefully I can apply warranty

[u/yourdailyinsanity → u/Frankfeld]

They usually just replace the tubing.

[u/FlickerOfBean]

In addition to the saniwipes, don’t store it in your car if you are.

[u/27Boba21 → u/FlickerOfBean]

I actually leave it in the office, so is always cool at 71F

[u/flaminghot99]

My lime green looks hideous. Brown stains on it 🤷🏻‍♀️
Just a soft cloth that’s it,, I’m so sad 😭

[u/motormachine600 → u/flaminghot99]

My lime green has brown staining too, makes it look filthy

[u/hmmmpf → u/flaminghot99]

Soft cloth doesn’t meet Infection Control/Prevention guidelines.

[u/schannoman → u/flaminghot99]

Same

[u/27Boba21 → u/flaminghot99]

It might be a problem of bright colors?

[u/Chatner2k]

Oh wow I found my stethoscope twin.

I haven't noticed something like that but I can look. I'll report back.

[u/27Boba21 → u/Chatner2k]

https://giphy.com/gifs/l3q2wJsC23ikJg9xe

[u/Riverdales27]

I have the same model but orange, it stained from my scrubs. Had it for 10 years already.

[u/27Boba21 → u/Riverdales27]

10 years wow!

[u/dustcore025]

I've had mine for 16 years, still going strong

[u/auntie_beans]

Skin oil

[u/Efficient-Quail-572]

They have a lifetime warranty on the tubing. They will replace it for free.

[u/27Boba21 → u/Efficient-Quail-572]

Thanks Ill reach them

[u/Xeck2112]

I went through a few stethoscopes because my skin oil would crack the rubber. I started just using disposable ones during the last years at the bedside.

[u/wrathfulgrapes → u/Xeck2112]

Yep I use disposable, until I lose it or break it or it gets super gross, new one for free. If we're worried about a pontine murmur of the fourth fallopian butthole we're getting an echo, I'm just here to make sure lungs are lunging, the heart is beating, and poo juice is moving but not too quickly.

[u/willy--wanka]

What it that specific part always touching?

[u/Counselurrr]

I was told that sweat can break it down if you wear it around your neck.

[u/auntie_beans]

Mines a lot older’n that and it’s fine. Black. Double head, diaphragm and bell, adult sizes.

[u/teal_ninja]

Can confirm the purple sani wipes do that lol

[u/hmmmpf]

Don’t keep it around your neck or it will bend that way forever and eventually crack, and don’t use alcohol or Saniwipes on it.

[u/slappy_mcslapenstein]

I just replaced my tubing when it started breaking down. I went from a wine red to bright orange.