How to Clean and Sterilize Medical-Grade Silicone Tubing Without Damage

Medical-grade silicone tubing is used in dialysis machines, catheters, and bioprocessing—but only if it stays clean and intact. Improper cleaning can cause cracking, clouding, or contamination. This step-by-step guide ensures your silicone tubing remains sterile, flexible, and compliant.

Step 1: Pre-Clean Rinse with warm (40–50°C) distilled water to remove debris. Avoid tap water—minerals can deposit inside.

Step 2: Choose Cleaning Agent

• Mild: 1–2% neutral detergent (e.g., Alconox)

• Moderate: 3% hydrogen peroxide

• Heavy: 0.5–1% sodium hypochlorite (bleach) Never use acetone, ethanol >70%, or strong acids—silicone swells or degrades.

Step 3: Soak or Circulate Soak small sections for 15–30 minutes. For systems, circulate solution using a peristaltic pump at low speed to avoid abrasion.

Step 4: Rinse Thoroughly Flush with USP purified water until conductivity <1.3 µS/cm. Test pH (should be neutral).

Step 5: Sterilize

• Autoclave: 121°C, 15–30 min (most common)

• Gamma irradiation: 25–50 kGy (pre-packaged)

• ETO gas: For heat-sensitive assemblies Silicone tubing withstands 100+ autoclave cycles without hardening.

Step 6: Dry Air dry in a Class 1000 cleanroom or use filtered compressed air. Avoid ovens above 100°C.

DO NOT:

• Scrub with brushes—micro-scratches harbor bacteria

• Use ultrasonic cleaners >30 kHz—cavitation damages walls

• Expose to direct sunlight——UV yellows silicone

Pro tip: Platinum-cured medical silicone tubing resists yellowing and maintains clarity longer than peroxide-cured.

Document each cycle for FDA/ISO 13485 compliance. Replace tubing if it becomes cloudy, sticky, or loses elasticity.

With proper care, medical-grade silicone tubing delivers years of reliable, sterile performance.

Need autoclavable medical silicone tubing? Contact us for USP Class VI-certified options.