Your Littmann stethoscope is designed to provide years of reliable service. Routinely cleaning your stethoscope will ensure optimal acoustic performance.  This guide will give you the basic information you need to care for your stethoscope.

General Cleaning Instructions

• Your entire stethoscope can be wiped clean with alcohol or soapy water.  However, it is important that you never immerse your stethoscope in any liquid, or subject it to any sterilization process.  If disinfection is required, you may wipe your stethoscope with a 70%  isopropyl alcohol solution.
• Periodically remove the ear tips and clean them thoroughly
• Keep your stethoscope away from extreme heat, cold, solvents and oils
• To clean the diaphragm and chest piece, refer to the owner's manual for your model for instructions for removing the diaphragm.  Clean all diaphragm parts and chest piece in soapy water, or wipe with alcohol. Dry all parts throroughly before reassembly

Tubing Care

 The majority of tubing used on Littmann stethoscopes is made of PVC (polyvinylchloride), which becomes hard when exposed for long periods of time to the lipids found in human skin. Wearing the stethoscope around the neck may cause stiffening of the tubing over time. If worn around the neck, we recommend wearing the stethoscope over a collar, away from contact with your skin. 

Summary

With proper care, your 3M Littmann stethoscope will give you years of service.    This guide tells you what you need to know to maintain your stethoscope's performance.  Please see our other guides  for more information about the use of your Littmann.  Also, visit our eBay store for a great selection of 3M Littmann stethoscopes at affordable prices.