At Australian Surgical Supplies, we are committed to providing high-quality surgical instruments designed for precision, durability, and long-term performance.
To help maintain the function, appearance, and lifespan of your gold-handled tungsten carbide instruments, we recommend following the care and cleaning procedures outlined below.
For your convenience, we have created a quick-reference printable guide for our cleaning and care recommendations.
Printable PDF – Australian Surgical Supplies Instrument Care Guide
Click below to download our best practice instrument cleaning and care instructions. This quick-reference guide can be printed and placed at your clinic cleaning and autoclaving station
Recommended Cleaning and Care Instructions
1. Rinse & Clean Immediately
- Use warm (not hot) water after use.
- Remove blood and debris before it dries.
- Use a nylon brush, paying close attention to joints, hinges, and serrations.
- For stubborn residue, a Scotch-Brite™ pad or fine brass/stainless steel brush may be used sparingly.
2. Ultrasonic Cleaning
- Place instruments open/unlocked in the ultrasonic cleaner.
- Use a neutral pH enzymatic detergent.
- Clean for approximately 5–15 minutes.
3. Final Rinse (Critical Step)
- Rinse thoroughly using clean, deionised water.
- Ensure all detergent residue is completely removed.
- Residual detergent and minerals from hard water left in hinges or joints may cause staining during autoclaving.
4. Dry & Sterilise
- Dry instruments completely before sterilisation.
- Ensure instruments are clean, dry, and open prior to autoclaving.
Important: Staining Is Not Rust
Brown or orange marks are commonly caused by detergent residue reacting during autoclaving — not corrosion.
This is typically caused by:
- Incomplete rinsing
- Detergent trapped in joints, hinges, or between joins of tungsten carbide inserts
- Moisture remaining before sterilisation
In most cases, staining can be removed using SurgiStain.
If staining occurs on your instruments, we would encourage you to review your instrument cleaning and care practices.
Prevention Is Simple
- Clean thoroughly
- Rinse completely
- Dry fully
Proper instrument care helps ensure reliable performance and extends the service life of your instruments.
If you have any questions regarding instrument maintenance or cleaning procedures, please feel free to contact our team at orders@auss.au