US English (US)
AU English (AUS)

Contact Us

If you still have questions or prefer to get help directly from an agent, please submit a request.
We’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Please fill out the contact form below and we will reply as soon as possible.

  • Contact Us
English (AUS)
US English (US)
AU English (AUS)
  • Home
  • Product Support
  • Patient Trolley / Stretcher / Transport Chair

Info | How Do You Clean A Patient Trolley?

Know the easy steps to properly clean a patient trolley and keep infections at bay.

Written by Joel B

Updated at May 20th, 2024

Contact Us

If you still have questions or prefer to get help directly from an agent, please submit a request.
We’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Please fill out the contact form below and we will reply as soon as possible.

Download
  • FAQs
  • Support
  • Product Support
    CleanPatch Shower Commodes Gantry Hoists Patient Trolley / Stretcher / Transport Chair Pressure Care Linet Wissner-Bossnerhoff Hoists
+ More

Table of Contents

How to best clean a patient trolley? TO CLEAN and DISINFECT? How to best clean a patient trolley mattress? The Do’s and Don’ts you should know before cleaning your patient trolleys. How do I tell if my patient trolley mattress needs replacing? Why is infection prevention for patient trolleys important?

Caring correctly for your patient trolley will help extend the service life of your product and help to combat harmful cross contamination.

In this article you’ll read the recommended best practices for cleaning our range of medical patient trolleys and mattresses, the Do’s & Don'ts when cleaning a patient trolley and the importance of infection control in a hospital setting.

How to best clean a patient trolley?

Surface cleaning is recommended for routine circumstances for your medical patient trolleys.

  • Do not hose, soak or submerge your patient trolley. Surface clean only.
  • Disinfect using institution approved procedures; ensuring the surfaces are decontaminated, free from residues and dry before use;
  • With alcohol based sanitisers* or
  • With appropriate water-based residual removers, or
  • Quaternary ammonium compounds*
  • * Institution approved brands at manufacturer’s recommended concentrations.

TO CLEAN and DISINFECT?

  • Consult your facility contamination control plan.
  • Consult care instructions for the accessories including mattress that have been supplied separately.
  • Spot clean any visible soiling.
  • Wipe over all surfaces with a suitable disinfectant, ensuring a suitable contact time.
  • Rinse or remove residues as merited.
  • Store indoors in a clean and dry environment, protected from contamination.

How to best clean a patient trolley mattress?

To care for your patient trolley mattress, surface cleaning is recommended for routine circumstances.

  • Do not breach the fabric surface with sharps or other abrasive materials.
  • Disinfect using institution approved procedure; ensuring the surfaces are decontaminated, free from residues and dry before covering with a sheet;
  • With alcohol based sanitisers* or
  • With Quaternary ammonium compounds* or
  • With Aldehydes* or
  • With Peroxides*
  • *Selected brands at manufacturer’s recommended concentrations.

The Do’s and Don’ts you should know before cleaning your patient trolleys.

  • Do not remove any fixtures or fittings integral to the safe operation and use the patient trolley
  • Do, allow fluid to contact electrical fittings, fixtures or connectors
  • If you suspect significant contamination, consider fogging and/or UVC exposure in conjunction with advice from MODSEL and your contamination control representative.
  • DO NOT USE BRUSHES OR PHYSICALLY ABRASIVE CLEANERS. These will destroy the waterproof coating of the fabric. WIPE WITH A CLEAN CLOTH DAMPENED WITH A MILD DETERGENT SOLUTION (OR) APPROVED SANITISER. RESIDUES CAN BE REMOVED WITH CLEAN WATER. DO NOT SCRUB ZIP AROUND ZIPPER.
  • If you suspect contamination, remove cover, inspect and, if merited, machine wash. DO NOT DRY CLEAN.
  • To HOT MACHINE WASH; Where laundering is required, wipe the surface as clean as possible and sanitize using a suitable disinfectant. Fully unzip cover and remove mattress core TAKING CARE not to contaminate the foam core. Store foam core flat in a clean, dry location, protected from contamination. Leave the zipper open as fabric is waterproof and the interior will not be correctly laundered if the zipper is closed.
  • DO NOT PIN or STAPLE labels etc on cover, as this will breach the waterproof integrity of the fabric. If identification is required WRITE ON THE COVER USING LAUNDRY SAFE FELT TIPPED MARKER.
  • HOT WATER and most chemical SANITISERS can be used. RINSE WELL. 
  • DO NOT WRING. DRY FLAT where possible. DRY, NATURALLY AT ROOM TEMPERATURE AWAY FROM DIRECT HEAT. DO NOT IRON. When completely dry, refit to foam core. Close the zipper completely. Store flat, clean and dry when not in use. Protect from contamination.

How do I tell if my patient trolley mattress needs replacing?

There are a few key tells that will indicate when your patient trolley mattress needs replacement.

ALWAYS discard a mattress if the;

  • Fabric cover is beached, worn or broken or
  • Zipper does not fully close or
  • Core is wet or malodorous or
  • Mattress/cover no longer appears hygienic after prescribed cleaning procedure. Disinfect before disposal. DO NOT re-purpose or recondition this device.

Why is infection prevention for patient trolleys important?

With around 165,000 healthcare associated infections in Australian health facilities each year, according to NSW Health, it’s no wonder why surface cleaning has become a high priority for hospital staff especially given the circumstances we are all now facing.

patient trolleys and medical mattresses are in constant contact with patients' skins which can cause easy transference of harmful bacteria and HAI’s. Hospitals have implemented strict rules around regular surface cleaning and this will continue to keep on top of infection prevention.

sterilize sanitize

Was this article helpful?

Yes
No
Give feedback about this article

Related Articles

  • Info | Patient Trolley / Stretcher - Battery Care
  • Info | Patient Trolley / Stretcher - Mains Power Cable

Copyright © 2025 Website Privacy policy

Expand