Written and maintained by CASRAI Editorial Board
Last updated
General product-care information, not medical advice. Follow the instructions that came with your bandage and the directions of the clinician who told you to use it.
Yes, you can wash an Ace-style elastic bandage, and the two sources checked for this page agree on the method: wash it by hand in soapy water, do not scrub it, dry it flat or let it air dry, and re-roll it before the next use. The detail most guides leave out is the re-roll: the instruction sheet for the hook-closure ACE bandage calls re-rolling it correctly essential for re-bandaging.
What you need
- A clean basin or sink with lukewarm to warm water (the two sources name different temperatures, see below).
- Soap. The ACE instruction sheet says “soapy water” without naming a detergent.
- A clean, flat surface to dry the bandage on, or a place where it can air dry.
- The label or insert that came with your bandage. Brands and closure types differ, and the product’s own instructions take priority over this page.
For background on what the bandage is made of and how it differs from other wraps, see what an elastic bandage is. For firmer wraps, see short-stretch bandages.
Steps: how to wash an Ace bandage
- Take off the fastener. Disconnect any hook closure or clips and unroll the bandage so the whole length gets wet.
- Rinse and wash by hand in soapy water. The ACE instruction sheet (S-20903/4/5, as supplied by Uline, checked 2026-11-01) says: “Rinse the bandage in lukewarm soapy water by hand.” Kaiser Permanente’s health encyclopedia (page current as of July 24, 2026, checked 2026-11-01) says to wash it by hand in warm soapy water, then rinse it.
- Do not scrub. The ACE sheet notes that its antimicrobial treatment lasts for at least 10 washings and that, to prolong the life of the bandage, you should not scrub it. Squeeze gently instead.
- Rinse out the soap. Kaiser’s guidance is to rinse it after washing.
- Dry it flat or let it air dry. The ACE sheet says to lay the bandage out flat on a clean surface. Kaiser says to let it air dry to avoid damaging the elastic in the cloth. The ACE sheet adds that no ironing is required.
- Re-roll it once dry. Roll the bandage as you would after using it and smooth out all wrinkles. The ACE sheet calls this essential for re-bandaging, and says to re-roll with the ACE label on the inside so the fastener end sits on the correct side for wrapping.
Can you wash Ace bandages? What the sources say
How often should you wash it?
Kaiser says to keep the bandage clean between uses and to wash it by hand. Neither source gives a number of days or uses between washes.
Lukewarm or warm water?
The two sources differ: the ACE sheet says lukewarm, Kaiser says warm. Neither gives a temperature in degrees, so use the temperature on your product’s own label if it states one.
Can you machine wash an Ace bandage?
Neither the ACE instruction sheet nor the Kaiser page addresses machine washing, so this page cannot say it is safe or unsafe. Check the label or insert for your specific bandage. Neither source discusses bleach or fabric softener, so those are not covered here.
How many times can an Ace bandage be washed?
The ACE sheet states only that the antimicrobial treatment on that bandage lasts for at least 10 washings. It does not say the bandage itself stops working after a set number of washes.
What can go wrong
- Scrubbing: the ACE sheet says not to scrub, to prolong the life of the bandage.
- Drying that stresses the elastic: Kaiser’s reason for air drying is to avoid damaging the elastic in the cloth.
- Re-rolling the wrong way: if the bandage is not re-rolled with the label inside, the fastener end will not be where the ACE sheet says it should be for wrapping.
- Wrapping technique: how a bandage is applied is a separate topic, covered in the elastic bandage for foot sprain guide.
When to get professional help
Questions about how a bandage should be worn, how often it should be changed or washed, and when to stop using it belong with the clinician who recommended it. This page covers product care only and cannot assess an injury.
Related pages: self-adherent wrap (Coban) and a home medical kit.
FAQ
How to wash ace bandage?
Wash it by hand in soapy water without scrubbing, rinse it, dry it flat or let it air dry, then re-roll it. The two sources differ on temperature (lukewarm versus warm), so follow your product label.
Can you wash ace bandages?
Yes. The ACE instruction sheet has a CARE section describing hand washing, and Kaiser Permanente says to wash a compression bandage by hand in warm soapy water.
How to wash an ace bandage without damaging the elastic?
Do not scrub it and let it air dry, which Kaiser gives as the way to avoid damaging the elastic. The ACE sheet says to lay it flat to dry.
Sources
- Instruction sheet IS-20903 (0724) for ACE elastic bandage S-20903, S-20904 and S-20905, as supplied by Uline, https://img.uline.com/is/content/uline/IS-20903pdf. Checked 2026-11-01.
- Kaiser Permanente health encyclopedia, “Learning About Compression Bandages” (current as of July 24, 2026), https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/health-wellness/health-encyclopedia/he.Learning-About-Compression-Bandages.abr6087. Checked 2026-11-01.
