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My 90-year old wife, for whom I care at home, is now in a rented Medicare wheelchair. She is doubly incontinent, wears diapers 24/7, but still leaves urine and feces stains on the seat of the wheelchair. Vinegar and baking soda do not suffice to clean the seat of the wheelchair. Bleach is out of the question. Any recommendations?

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Can you wheel the wheelchair into the shower and give it a good clean with a brush and 409 or some other powerful cleaner?

Put chux pads under her.
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A lot depends on what kind of wheelchair seat you have.
First, are you certain the seat cover doesn't come off?
If not I would treat this like any other upholstered chair, try an enzyme cleaner meant for pets like nature's miracle stain and odour remover, if you have access to a steam vacuum or just a shop vac you can use that to suck up any excess solution.

And definitely use washable or disposable pads to keep this from recurring.
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Put chux under her so you won't have to keep cleaning the seat.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=chux+pads&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-vqWsf3j9AIVE25vBB3r6gWcEAAYAiAAEgIYbfD_BwE&hvadid=153740473345&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9019596&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=5277696063792157259&hvtargid=kwd-1131733668&hydadcr=3059_9553178&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_54d5ydtpwx_e
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There are some things you can do. First, make sure that well fitting, adult pull up diapers are being used for your wife. Take any antibacterial liquid soap, I recommend Dial, apply on cloth and work up a suds using very warm water. With disposable gloves on, scrub seat in circular motion, allow suds to remain on seat a few minutes then wipe off residue with another wet cloth. Repeat at least twice. Allow to dry as much as possible. Clorox makes a fabric sanitizer spray that can be found in grocery store or Lowe's hardware. Put a plastic backed sheet pad on seat that can be changed frequently, found at pharmacies, or you can use the small pet pads. When chair is not in use, reapply a light spray of sanitizer. Most important is insuring your wife's diaper is changed frequently to avoid leakage, urinary tract infections, and skin irritation. If the cleaning does not improve the situation, contact Medicare and inquire if you can get a replacement, vinyl seat. I'm curious why she has a "rented" chair as with Medicare, she is entitled to one with doctor written order.
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Cover99 Dec 2021
A lot of work. Hubby has not indicated if he is up to all of that.
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Buy a few cotton/waterproof pads on Amazon (cheapest source) to put over the seat, which you can sanitize and wash separately in the washer.
As for existing stains on the seat, I find stain removers like "Shout" very helpful. You leave them on for a bit, then wash and rinse the way you usually do. It may take a few applications but stains will lighten considerably or even be eliminated.
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Agree with other posts. First, ensure her diapers are the right size and fit if they are leaking. May need extra absorption kinds or even have her wear two at a time, Next, purchase disposable chuxs and put two or 3 of them over her wheelchair cushion. When she has an accident, toss them in the trash can. I’d definitely buy a rubber cushion for her to sit on in the wheelchair. They can be wiped with Clorox wipes.
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Not making light the seriousness of the issue but seeing a wheelchair in this condition in the shower room at my mom's facility one time automatically made me think of giving my horses baths with the water hose.
I wondered if they just wheeled it into the shower and cleaned/sanitized it there. The whole shower would be sanitized afterwards. This wheelchair did not have any towels or pads on it and was pretty horrifying.
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Dosmo13 Dec 2021
A hospital where I used to work used plastic "shower" chairs...sort of like stripped-down plastic patio chairs on wheels that could be padded with washable towels or disposables etc. The shower cleaned the patient and, in the process, cleaned the chair. Between showers and between patients, the chairs were cleaned with a liquid disinfectant.

Perhaps for home use, a sturdy plastic "shower chair" (sold by medical supply stores) could be kept in the bathroom and the patient transferred to and from a wheelchair.
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First try paste of baking soda and vinegar…let sit for an hour, then wipe off. Second try Shout or Dawn dish soap to remove stain. See if seat cover can be removed and either washed in machine or replaced. If you replace it, then always use the Chux/seat pads and definitely make sure diapers are fitted correctly.
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You might try one of the products for cleaning up after pets. They spray, are often safe on rugs, might help with this situation. You will find these products in the pet department. Good luck.
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This one I can help with!
There are several good cleaning/odor control on Amazon. I use Odoban - it works very well, and is used in institutional settings. I also use it in my laundry, on floors, etc.
I got a good wheelchair seat pad with a removable, washable cover. The gel pad can be cleaned (and try wrapping it in a thick trash compactor type trash bag), and the cover popped in the washer. It also makes the chair much more comfortable for the user! You might also try putting a soft bath towel
over the seat. Good luck!
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This one I can help with!
There are several good cleaning/odor control on Amazon. I use Odoban - it works very well, and is used in institutional settings. I also use it in my laundry, on floors, etc.
I got a good wheelchair seat pad with a removable, washable cover. The gel pad can be cleaned (and try wrapping it in a thick trash compactor type trash bag), and the cover popped in the washer. It also makes the chair much more comfortable for the user! You might also try putting a soft bath towel
over the seat. Good luck!
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Once the chair is scrubbed and disinfected, place two or three layers of plastic onto the seat of the wheelchair to protect the seat. Then place two or three towels over that to catch the "stuff". Or get a good gel seat with a washable cover over it. Put that down and put plastic over that as well and then a towel. What a terrible situation. Why is she in your home and not a facility? Please clarify this for me. And maybe she should be put into the bathroom more often.
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Katefalc Dec 2021
why use plastic rather than a good waterproof washable incontinence pad ?
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I recommend you consult the manufacturer. You should be able to find contact information on the wheelchair itself, or possibly on labels stitched to the seating.
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albedo: Imho, perhaps the manufacturer of the wheelchair, which will be located on the item, will provide information on how to clean and/or replace its seat.
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Do a search online for enzyme / enzymatic cleaners, they come for the home, pets and hospitals but all are basically the same. They break down remaining stains, and also smells, remaining excreta etc. It usually comes in both a litre or 5 litre concentrate or in a spray bottle, it is convenient to have both and refill the spray. Also works on upholstery, bedding etc.
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For my mother, who wanted to sit in her recliner all day, in addition to wearing good fitting Depends, I also placed 2 sheets of doggie pee pads on top of the cushion. That way she got the comfy seat and the doggie pee pads protected the seat - and could be thrown away instead of having to be laundered.

To clean the chair, I have had great success with a product that my vet recommended (yes, I said vet - she kindly listened to me at one of our appointments and then suggested this). It isn't cheap, but it is very effective (and after using it to clean the stain and odor, I wipe down the surface with a Clorax wipe to disinfect it)- I have used it on not only my mother's wheelchair, but also on her recliner, the carpet, the mattress, towels....anywhere there are stains from bodily functions. (and yes, it also works great for pets as well). The product is called The Equalizer and can be purchased on Amazon.
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BurntCaregiver Jan 2022
Those dog pads work a treat for protecting furniture. I've put them on the cairs and beds of many incontinent clients.
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You need "chux" disposable pads for anywhere she sits. Double up if necessary.
These are cheaper than the puppy pads someone recommended.
I also have several washable large cotton pads with a vinyl backing for bed or recliner.
I found all products at Amazon.
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Pads on chair and use a hand steam cleaner for the cushions
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I'm assuming the cushion has a vinyl cover. Wheelchair cushions always do. If you're using an improvised cushion that is not for a wheelchair, throw it away.
To clean a wheelchair cushion, spray it with some plain regular Lysol cleaner and use Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. This will take care of the smell and the stains.
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