How to Clean a Digital Rectal Thermometer

Medical professionals widely recommend the use of digital rectal thermometers to take the temperature of infants and children up to 3 years old. Proper cleaning of any device that is inserted into the rectum relies on basic common sense, but there are specific products that are effective for use on a digital thermometer. Fortunately, you probably have everything you need in your medicine cabinet to ensure cleanliness each and every time you use a digital rectal thermometer.

Things You'll Need

• Tissue
• Liquid soap
• Drinking glass
• Warm water
• Cotton ball
• Rubbing alcohol or alcohol pad

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Wipe away any lubricant or petroleum jelly from the digital rectal thermometer with a tissue or a paper towel.

• 2

  Mix a few drops of liquid soap into a glass of warm water.

• 3

  Insert the tip of the digital rectal thermometer into the soapy water and swirl it around to create suds and clean the thermometer. The tip of the thermometer is the end that is inserted into the rectum.

• 4

  Remove the digital rectal thermometer from the soapy water and rinse away the soap under warm running water.

• 5

  Wipe the digital rectal thermometer with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol or an alcohol wipe or pad. This kills any harmful germs on the thermometer.