The flexible vinyl, rubber and plastic parts of stethoscopes should be kept away from solvents, including alcohol and soap. Solvents can have detrimental effects including accelerating the natural aging process by dissolving the plasticizers that keep these parts flexible and looking new.
In addition, when they are manufactured stethoscopes with two sided chestpieces are lubricated where the chestpiece rotates around the stem and need to be re-lubricated periodically, just like any other machine. If these moving parts are not lubricated they grind together and ruin the fine tolerances required for the proper acoustic performance of the stethoscope. Cleaning the stethoscope will also remove lubricants making periodic lubrication essential.
Be careful to use only products that have been tested to be safe and effective for cleaning stethoscopes and other medical instruments.
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