How to Disinfect a Blood Pressure Cuff

Medically reviewed by Shari Forschen, NP, MA

Last Updated: August 5, 2024

Blood pressure cuffs are listed as low-risk and non-critical items for disinfection. That said, recent research has found them to be key in the spread of MRSA (an antibiotic-resistant bacteria) in hospitals. ^{[1]
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PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source} The proper cleaning of these cuffs ensures that dangerous bacteria does not spread between patients. Most blood pressure cuffs are made of two parts. The cuff itself is either a fabric or vinyl material with a velcro pad; both fabric and vinyl cuffs can be cleaned using the same methods. The second part is a rubber tubing connected to a small inflated bladder inside the cuff; this should be removed from the cuff and disinfected separately. Cuffs should be disinfected after every use.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Preparing the Cuff for Cleaning

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Gloves will protect you from blood and other bodily fluids that might have contaminated the equipment. If you do not have gloves, wash your hands for 20 seconds with warm water and soap. Hand washing is still the most effective way of preventing cross-contamination of harmful bacteria.
Ensure you thoroughly check the tubing as well. As you inspect the cuff, be careful not to touch any stain that you do see, especially if you are not wearing gloves. Although the cuff may not have visible stains, harmful bacteria can still linger on the cuff.

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3
Remove the tubing from the cuff. You can remove the tubing and inflation bag by undoing the velcro strap or unbuttoning the side pocket. If it does not appear as though the tubing can be removed, check the manufacturer’s guidelines and clean according to their specifications.
- No water should enter the tubing or the inflated pump during cleaning. Be extremely careful as you handle it around water. The cuff itself can be completely soaked and washed, so long as you ensure that is completely dry before you reinsert the tubing.
4
Soak cuffs. If you cannot disinfect the cuff immediately, place the cuff in a bucket with warm, soapy water. This will prevent any potential stains from settling on the cuff, and it will prevent contaminants from spreading in the meantime. Do not soak the tubing. Set it aside in a sterile bag until you are able to disinfect it.
- This is generally appropriate for the end of the day of a personal cuff. In a clinic or hospital setting, when the cuff must be reused quickly, using with a disposable disinfecting wipe is appropriate. This takes only a few minutes (and is described later in this article).

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Hand Washing a Cuff

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An unused toothbrush works well for this. Run the soapy brush or sponge under warm water. If you are using a sponge, squeeze out the excess water. If you are in a pinch, you can use a clean rag or folded paper towel.
Using the brush or sponge, wipe down the cuff and tubing, making sure that no water enters the tubing. If there are stains, use a scrub brush or a toothbrush to dislodge dirt. Make sure to vigorously scour the velcro in particular, as dirt and germs can linger within it. Cuffs are resilient; you do not have to be gentle as you clean. Aggressive scrubbing will guarantee a cleaner cuff.
Be extremely careful that no water enters the tubing. You can plug the tube with a paper towel to ensure this. You can, however, rinse the cuff entirely. After rinsing, pat both the tubing and the cuff dry with a clean towel.
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Spray both sides of the cuff with rubbing alcohol. ^{[2]
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Research source} You should spray the tubing and bulb as well. The cuff should appear wet after spraying. Leave the alcohol or disinfectant to sit for ten minutes before patting dry to ensure that all bacteria are killed.
- Alternately, you can mix 1 tsp. (5 ml) of bleach with 2 cups (473 ml) of water and pour it into the bottle. Shake the bottle and spray the mixture onto the cuff and tubing.
The cuffs should hang on a clothesline or similar apparatus that suspends the cuff without it touching other materials. The outer and inner cuff as well as the velcro should be completely dry before re-use. Once dry, you can reinsert the tubing.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Machine-Washing a Cuff

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1
Determine if your cuff can be machine washed. Consult the box or cuff to see if the manufacturer’s guidelines. Some hospitals have special machine washers for cuffs. At home, you may be able to wash yours in a laundry machine. Do not machine wash if the manufacturer advises against it.
- Do not put the tubing the washing machine. The tubing and inflated pump must be hand washed. You can clean the tubing by rinsing in warm soapy water and spraying down with rubbing alcohol. It is important that no water enters the tubing, as it will render it unusable.
Choose a gentle laundry soap that will remove stains and fluids during the cycle. You can wash multiple cuffs in the same load.
Warm water is better for cloth cuffs while cold water should be used for vinyl. Select a high or medium water level for the load. The water will rinse away bacteria and stains more effectively without damaging the cuffs. Do not use hot water. Hot water may form a protective layer for bacteria and could damage the material.
Air-dry the cuffs by hanging them on a clothesline. Make sure both the outer and inner cuff are completely dry before use. Do not place cuffs in the dryer. Make sure the cuff is completely dry before reinserting the tubing. You may need to dry it overnight.
Before you use the cuffs again, wipe down the cuffs with rubbing alcohol or a bleach solution. Let them sit for between ten and twenty minutes before patting dry. This will kill any remaining bacteria that may have survived the washing process.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Using Other Methods

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1
Use disinfecting wipes to clean the cuff. Look into purchasing disposable wipes that are already treated with germicidal chemicals. This is a quick way to disinfect the cuff and its components without having to disassemble the entire apparatus. Look for EPA-approved products that have a contact time of one to three minutes, which means you only need to wait up to three minutes after disinfecting the cuff before safely using it again.
- This may be the most practical method of disinfecting a blood pressure cuff if you are in a hospital, clinic, or somewhere with a high volume of patients.
Some hospitals have opted to try disposable cuffs, which are either thrown out after a single use or remain with each patient and are disposed of at the end of the patient's stay. Disposable cuffs can eliminate the need to disinfect equipment between patients. Not all hospitals will have the budget for these items.
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Use a disposable sleeve to prevent contact with the patient's skin. Using a disposable sleeve that slides on the patient's arm may help prevent the spread of bacteria, as this prevents the cuff from coming into contact with the patient's skin. Simply slide the single-use barrier onto the patient's limb, then fit the cuff around the sleeve and take the patient's vitals.
- This is a less expensive option than disposable blood pressure cuffs and may be effective in preventing cross contamination.

Expert Q&A

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Question

What are the recommended disinfecting protocols when using between patients? This is end of the day cleaning instructions.

Shari Forschen, NP, MA
Family Nurse Practitioner
Shari Forschen is a Registered Nurse at Sanford Health in North Dakota. Shari has worked in healthcare since 1996 and her expertise lies in acute care bedside nursing on a medical oncology floor. She received her degree from Medcenter one College of Nursing in 2003 and her Family Nurse Practitioner Masters from the University of North Dakota in 2014. Shari is a member of the American Nurses Association.

Shari Forschen, NP, MA

Family Nurse Practitioner

Expert Answer

Recommended protocols for use between patients is generally facility-specific. In general, utilizing commercially based cleansing wipe that is approved by the facility is the most convenient and efficient way to sanitize cuffs between patients. For more information about specific recommendations, you may want to visit the following Centers for Disease Control link: https://www.cdc.gov/hicpac/Disinfection_Sterilization/3_4surfaceDisinfection.html

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The use of 70% to 90% concentration rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) is recommended to be used on non-critical medical equipment. ^{[3]
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If you are concerned about the spread of bacteria, you can place special barrier sleeves over the patient’s arm to protect their skin.

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There are also prepackaged germicidal detergents available at stores to clean and sanitize medical equipment.

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Warnings

You must disinfect after every use. Always properly clean your medical equipment.

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Don't use a blood pressure cuff on an arm, leg or wrist that has a wound, open area or ulcer. This may further traumatize the tissue while potentially contaminating the cuff with harmful bacteria or blood-borne pathogens.

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Always wash your hands with soap before and after handling medical equipment.

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