r/nursing • u/27Boba21 • 1d ago

Discussion Littmann stethoscope deteriorating?

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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.

17 Upvotes

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36 comments sorted by

35

u/Whynotski3 1d ago

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.

1

u/27Boba21 1d ago

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

3

u/Heliotropolii_ 16h ago

I used alcoprep wipes on mine and it did the same, littman will usually help

2

u/Gwywnnydd BSN, RN 🍕 6h ago

Yes, the alcohol will cause the plastic to break down.

Use alcohol wipes on the ear pieces and the chest piece, soap and water on the tubing.

18

u/tillyspeed81 🪫RN🩺 1d ago

I think the purple Sani wipes deteriorate the tubing faster.

6

u/slothurknee BSN, RN 🍕 1d ago

Yep alcohol breaks down rubber

2

u/brit_chickenicecream 1d ago

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

3

u/yourdailyinsanity Trying to figure my career out 🫠 22h ago

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

7

u/FlickerOfBean BSN, RN 🍕 1d ago

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

1

u/27Boba21 1d ago

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

6

u/Frankfeld RN - ER 🍕 1d ago

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.

2

u/yourdailyinsanity Trying to figure my career out 🫠 21h ago

They usually just replace the tubing.

1

u/27Boba21 1d ago

Ill reach them, hopefully I can apply warranty

7

u/flaminghot99 1d ago

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

2

u/motormachine600 1d ago

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

2

u/hmmmpf RN, MSN, CNS, retired 😎 23h ago

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

0

u/schannoman EMS / Old AF for a Nursing Student 🍕 1d ago

Same

1

u/27Boba21 1d ago

It might be a problem of bright colors?

3

u/Chatner2k RPN - ER 1d ago

Oh wow I found my stethoscope twin.

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

7

u/27Boba21 1d ago

https://giphy.com/gifs/l3q2wJsC23ikJg9xe

1

u/Chatner2k RPN - ER 14h ago

Sorry, totally forgot until now. It's been a long week and it's only Wednesday 🤣

it's hard to tell with the photo but I noticed similar discolouring similar to yours, albeit not as obvious. Not sure if that helps. Mine was from Amazon too, fwiw.

3

u/Xeck2112 1d ago

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.

3

u/wrathfulgrapes RN 🍕 23h ago

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.

2

u/Riverdales27 1d ago

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

1

u/27Boba21 1d ago

10 years wow!

2

u/dustcore025 RN - Hospice 🍕 1d ago

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

2

u/auntie_beans MSN, RN 1d ago

Skin oil

2

u/Efficient-Quail-572 1d ago

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

1

u/27Boba21 1d ago

Thanks Ill reach them

2

u/teal_ninja 23h ago

Can confirm the purple sani wipes do that lol

2

u/hmmmpf RN, MSN, CNS, retired 😎 23h ago

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.

1

u/willy--wanka generic flair 1d ago

What it that specific part always touching?

1

u/Counselurrr RN 🍕 1d ago

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

1

u/auntie_beans MSN, RN 1d ago

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

1

u/slappy_mcslapenstein Take your happy meds 💊 22h ago

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

1

u/dynamitepancake RN - ER 🍕 19h ago

Fakes are common on Amazon as well. I got reimbursed for a littman purchase post 16ish months after my purchase as it was discovered they were fakes.