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Washing Your Ostomy Pouch

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(@ellen)
Joined: 1 month ago
Posts: 2
Topic starter  

I have been actually "washing" out my ostomy pouch for a couple of years. I had to have a tiny basin installed in one bathroom because of my handicapped son and discovered that it was just the right height and the stopper would lift all the way out to let my waste run out quickly and wow! It was great! I use HOT water, turning my pouch into the faucet. I let it fill up the pouch, massage it for a little bit, then release it into the basin. If it's not clean, I repeat the procedure. Sometimes it's 3-4 times to get it completely clean. I seem to think my Stoma, who I have nicknamed Stomanita actually likes hot water, because if I use hot water, "she" seems to put out more waste and clean out more until she's empty. Just image! And that way I have a completely clean pouch I can wear for sometimes over a week. Thanks.


   
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VeganOstomy
(@veganostomy)
Admin
Joined: 11 years ago
Posts: 4348
 

Welcome, Ellen! Thank you for sharing that.

I'm guessing that this basin is waist high, so you don't have to bend down to empty your bag, correct? If so, I think that's the most ideal setup!

Does the hot water create any issues for your stoma or skin? I tend to use warm water if I'm rinsing my bag, but don't want to risk scalding my stoma with hot water.

Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~


   
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(@ellen)
Joined: 1 month ago
Posts: 2
Topic starter  

@veganostomy 

I am using HOT water to make sure I get all the waste from the pouch. I can feel the heat from the ostomy and it's HOT also. I've never felt I'm doing anything to it to harm it, although I've not asked my NP about it. My ostomy is working just great and I'm continuing to clean the pouch whenever it starts smelling. Oh, I order Hollister 8531 pouches, which DO NOT have outlets.


   
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cygo
 cygo
(@cygo)
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 103
 

Hi,

I shower with really hot water ( with out a bag, using a 2 part system) and have had no issues with hot water showers and my ostomy. 

I use cold water to rinse my bag because it is what comes out of the spray bidet.  

cygo

cygo
Ileostomy


   
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GoatHerder
(@goatherder)
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 162
 

I don't use hot water, but always wash my bag out at every empty using my toilet mounted bidet. While I get that bags don't have to be "clean" between emptying, I prefer it.

Retired engineer, now goatherd
Ostomate since 2015: Mid transverse after cancer
Our goats always live at GoatsLive.com


   
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