Hints and Tips

Garment care

• The recommendation is to have two sets of garments: one to wear, while one is in the laundry.

Hand or machine wash in warm water

• Wash with a special washing solution or a mild soap/ detergent (no additives).

• Rinse well, roll in a towel to absorb excess water.

• Air dry or tumble dry (low setting); depending on manufacturer.

• Do not iron.

What’s the difference?

• There is often confusion about custommade vs. custom-fit among patients and health care professionals.

• Some companies often call ready-towear products custom-fit.

• Custom-made garments are left and right specific.

• Measurements are taken in circumference and length.

• There will be a name tag sewn inside the garment along with date of manufacturing

Source: Diamond Athletic Medical Supplies Inc.

Garment options

• There are many manufacturers and distributors who carry options for compression garments in many styles and colours.

Be willing to try them all to find what suits you best.

• Keep abreast of new compression fabrics, styles and manufacturers by subscribing to Pathways magazine.

• Experiment with different donning aids to ease the task of getting your stockings or sleeves on and off. You might be able to handle it with just rubber gloves, but as flexibility and strength decline with age, you will want to be wearing these garments for life.