Question about Frio insulin wallets

[Juliah]

We recently went on a trip and used Frio wallets for DD's insulin pens for the first time. It's been a couple of weeks since we got home, and I can't get the the Frios to dry out. I hung them up, but it's taking so long that they're starting to smell mildewed.

Anyone know the best way to get them to dry without ruining them? I assume I can't put them in the dryer or use a hair dryer on them because of the gel substance.

Also, now that they smell funky, I really need to wash them and start the drying process over. So what's the right way to wash them? I carefully packed the instructions along on the trip, but now I can't find them.

 

[SueM in MN]

Here's what it says in the website:
The outer Cambrelle cover of the wallet can be washed in warm water using a very mild detergent. The inner wallet can be spot cleaned by using a soft bristle brush (i.e.: soft toothbrush or nail brush) and only dipping the brush into slightly soapy water (do not immerse the entire wallet and do not apply soap directly to your Frio®), then you can spot clean the dry wallet with your brush. You can then rinse the wallet under running water without damaging the crystals inside. DO NOT PLACE YOUR FRIO® INTO A WASHING MACHINE!

MY FRIO® HAS DEVELOPED AN ODOR......

Unless your Frio® has been completely dried out (back to the original hard crystal form) before storing a previously activated wallet, a smell will most likely develop. If this occurs, refer to the cleaning and drying out processes.

I don't know, but it doesn't sound too hopeful to me.
Good luck.

 

[Juliah]

Thanks so much, Sue. No, it doesn't sound encouraging, but I'll give it a try. Those things cause a fortune for what they are.

 

[SueM in MN]

I wonder if you could use a hair dryer on cool or hang them in front of a fan?
I'm assuming that the clothes dryer on air fluff (no heat) might be too rough for them.

 

[Juliah]

Oh, good ideas! I think tomorrow I'll find an extra toothbrush and try their method of cleaning, then hang them in front of a fan. Worth a try.

Thanks again, Sue!

 

[Selket]

You did take the cover off right? My wallet has 2 parts - the outer shell is blue (the part that you do no soak) and the inner part with the gel is yellow (the part that gets wet).

I took the cover off and left it setting out to dry and it dried fine every time I've used it. It did take quite awhile though - but never smelled. I wonder what happened to yours?

There is also a FAQ on the Frio site that says this:

The wallet will not start evaporation process unless the external temperature is over 65 °F then the process starts.

Just in case your hung them up in the basement or something where it is cool.

Here is the FAQ: http://www.friouk.com/faqs/

 

[Juliah]

Thanks for the ideas, Selket. I did take the cover off. And it's plenty warm enough in our house for drying. But you got me to thinking--we live in an area where the humidity is high, so maybe that contributed to the problem.

 

[Selket]

Well....I would go ask on the Children With Diabetes forums: http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/forumdisplay.php?f=3

If there is an answer, someone over there will have it.

 

[Juliah]

Thanks! Looks like all kinds of great information on that forum.

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

Perhaps try leaving it in the sun to dry?

I've used a dog neck tie with these crystals in it, but it didn't smell when it dried out completely (though I have heard of that happening to other people with similar products). I left it flat out (all the way open, not overlapping itself) on a table to dry (it took several days, maybe a week, to dry completely). I may have also put it on an absorbant material, like a paper towel or regular towel. You might try putting one of those faux chamois cloths under it, if you have one.

 

[Juliah]

I ended up hanging them out in the sun, as Ms_Butterfly suggested, and that did the trick. Thanks again to everyone for brainstorming!