Management

Step-by-Step: Stoma Care: How to Irrigate

Choose a preferred language

You should be sitting next to the toilet with a sleeve attached and the sleeve end in the toilet. Holding the cone upright, open the clamp slightly to let water into the tube. Once water starts to come out, close the clamp. Making sure the clamp is closed, slide the cone into your stoma. Once the cone is in place, slowly open the clamp on the tubing. Allow the water to flow gently into the stoma for about 10 minutes. Then close the clamp on the tubing. Wait for about a minute, then remove the cone. Seal the top of the sleeve. Allow stool and water to flow through the sleeve and into the toilet for 40 minutes. When stool and water stop flowing, remove the sleeve and empty it into the toilet, clean and dry the skin around the stoma. Cover the stoma with a small pouch to catch any drainage. You can get up and move around freely during this time. Fill the sleeve with three parts warm water, and one part vinegar, then hold it closed and shake. Empty it and rinse with water. Hang it to air-dry. When you are done, wash your hands.

Featured in

© 2000-2026 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
schedule icon

Schedule an Appointment

Find the right provider and schedule anytime.

View Providers
Related Articles
Read article
Digestive Health
Living With Your Ostomy

Learn everyday steps to take to make sure your stoma and the surrounding skin stays healthy. Also, understand that you can still live a normal and active lifestyle with an ostomy.

Read article
Digestive Health
Lifestyle Management of Ulcerative Colitis

You can lead a full life even if you have ulcerative colitis. Focus on keeping your symptoms under control with diet, exercise, and stress relief. And don't let this disease isolate you. Read on to learn more.

Read article
Digestive Health
Lifestyle Management of Crohn’s Disease

You can lead a full life even if you have Crohn's disease. Read on for some helpful diet and exercise tips. And find ways to cope--and help others--by joining a support group.

Read article
Digestive Health
Lactose Intolerance

Lactose is the main sugar in cow's milk. People who have difficulty digesting milk have lactose intolerance. The condition is caused by a shortage of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the lactose into a form that can be used by the body. This video explains how you can cope with this condition.