Using catheters on a regular basis means that you have to learn to sterilize your catheters. The type of your catheter will determine how you need to clean it and sterilize it, and the other trappings that go along with your catheter will also need to be cleaned at some point, depending on what all you use on a regular basis.
If you’re practicing intermittent self-catheterization, things are fairly simple. Some catheters for this purpose are disposable, so you can simply get rid of each catheter after you use it. If you use a reusable catheter, on the other hand, you’ll have to clean it after each use. In order to clean it, you’ll simply have to rinse it with soap and water. If you need to use it again immediately for some reason, you can simply rinse it with tap water.
Some people will say that there is no reason for you to sterilize your catheters after you wash them, but you may lessen your risk of urinary tract infections if you do sterilize the catheters. You can sterilize them in a solution of water and vinegar or a solution of water and bleach, but be sure that your solution is mild so that it doesn’t harm your skin upon the next time you use the catheter.
If you’re using catheters just for intermittent self catheterization, you won’t have to use a bag or a leg strap, but if you’re using a Foley catheter that stays in your bladder for a long period of time, you will have these trappings to deal with. Like anything else that sits against your skin for a while, your leg strap might need to be washed once in a while. Also, the bag that goes with a Foley catheter may need to be cleaned with soap and water once in a while to keep the smell and risk of infection down.