Which Slings Can Be Used for Toileting?

Oct 24th 2025

Which Slings Can Be Used for Toileting?

When caring for individuals with limited mobility, toileting slings are essential for maintaining dignity while ensuring safe transfers.

Below are the types, features, and safety considerations you must understand when selecting appropriate transfer devices for bathroom activities.

Table of Contents

How Do Toileting Slings Work?

Toileting slings serve a unique purpose in healthcare facilities and home care environments. They are specifically designed to assist with bathroom transfers while preserving dignity. Unlike standard patient lift slings, these tools feature strategic openings and minimal coverage to facilitate personal hygiene activities, including toileting, bathing, and dressing procedures.

These specialized transfer aids use lift systems to safely move individuals from beds, wheelchairs, or chairs directly to bathroom facilities. The design allows professional caregivers and family members to assist with clothing adjustment and personal care while maintaining secure support.

Primary Types of Toileting Lift Slings

1. Traditional Hygiene Slings

The most common option features an open-bottom design with strategic cutouts for easy clothing access during toileting routines. These devices provide:

  • Minimal body coverage for maximum access during bathing and personal care
  • Quick application while individuals remain seated
  • Support distributed across the back and under thighs
  • Compatibility with standard lift systems

Traditional designs work well for people with adequate upper body control and head stability, but offer reduced support compared to full-body alternatives.

The Invacare Reliant Toileting Sling (R121) exemplifies a traditional hygiene sling with its open-back design that provides optimal access for dressing and toileting while maintaining full support. With a 450-pound weight capacity and color-coded positioning straps, this sling is specifically intended for individuals with moderate upper body control who require assisted toileting.

Its fully padded construction with soft brushed lining ensures comfort during transfers. At the same time, the durable, machine-washable fabric makes it suitable for both wet and dry environments in healthcare facilities and home care settings.

2. U-Shaped Access Slings

U-shaped configurations cross under the individual's legs while remaining open at the bottom area. This design offers moderate support for transfers during toileting and dressing activities, with reduced pressure points for enhanced comfort.

These work effectively for individuals who can maintain sitting balance but need assistance with weight-bearing during transfers.

The Proactive Medical Padded Divided Leg U Sling demonstrates the versatility of U-shaped designs with its quick application and removal capability, even while patients remain seated. Supporting up to 600 pounds, this sling features built-in padding that reduces pressure points and prevents material bunching under patients.

The large opening design simplifies toileting access for both patients and caregivers, while the four-point lift connection ensures secure transfers. Its durable polyester construction performs well in wet and dry conditions, making it suitable for individuals with moderate trunk control who need general-purpose lifting support.

3. Full-Body Slings With Commode Openings

Some manufacturers offer full-body designs that incorporate strategic openings for people requiring maximum support. However, healthcare professionals should note that traditional toileting transfers typically require specialized toileting slings rather than full-body designs. Full-body slings with commode openings may be appropriate for specific situations but require careful assessment to ensure adequate access while maintaining necessary support.

The Invacare Premier Comfort Full Body Sling with Commode Opening represents a specialized approach for patients requiring comprehensive support during toileting. This sling features breathable, quick-drying polyester net fabric with a strategic commode opening that eliminates the need for repositioning during toileting.

With padded head support and full-body coverage up to 500 pounds capacity, it's designed for non-weight-bearing individuals who require total support, patients with restricted head movement, and bariatric patients. The four-point hook-up system with color-coded straps ensures stable, balanced support while maintaining access for dignified toileting assistance.

4. Specialized Back-Support Variations

Low-back designs provide increased spinal support while maintaining toilet access, which is suitable for people with variable muscle tone who need more stability than traditional options. High-back versions include head and neck support for individuals who cannot independently maintain upright positioning.

The Invacare Reliant Divided Leg Sling with Head Support offers secure transfers. Its divided leg design ensures comfortable positioning while allowing easy toileting access. Supporting up to 450 pounds, this sling provides reliable support for the head, neck, and under-thigh areas, with fully padded fabric and a soft brushed lining to prevent sliding.

The stretch-resistant material maintains its shape for consistent support, while the divided leg configuration makes it perfect for transfers between beds, wheelchairs, or shower chairs. It's ideal for individuals with upper body control requiring lower body support and easier full-body positioning during toileting procedures.

Material Options and Their Applications

Mesh Fabric Construction

Mesh construction offers practical advantages in bathroom environments where the selection of bathing and toileting devices requires moisture-resistant materials. Mesh fabrics provide rapid drying when exposed to moisture during bathing procedures, enhanced breathability, reduced risk of skin irritation, simplified cleaning and maintenance protocols, and are lighter weight when wet.

These prove particularly valuable in shower applications or for people requiring frequent hygiene assistance.

Solid Polyester Construction

Solid fabric alternatives provide different benefits for various needs:

  • Enhanced comfort through padded construction
  • Durability under frequent use conditions
  • Smooth surfaces reducing friction-related skin issues
  • Better performance in dry transfer situations

Advanced Comfort Features

Modern designs incorporate additional comfort elements that many manufacturers now include as standard features, such as soft cushioning at high-pressure contact points and brushed interior linings that prevent sliding.

Why Appropriate Sling Selection Is Important?

The most critical aspect of safe toileting transfers is selecting the appropriate sling type. Toileting slings provide reduced body coverage relative to universal or hammock slings, which increases their versatility. However, as the versatility of these slings increases compared to universal or hammock slings, so does the risk.

Toileting slings are specifically designed with minimal coverage and strategic openings to facilitate:

  • Easy clothing removal and adjustment
  • Access for personal hygiene procedures
  • Direct transfer from bed/chair to toilet or commode
  • Maintenance of dignity during intimate care

What to Look For?

Before using any toileting sling, individuals must undergo a thorough assessment to ensure they meet specific criteria:

  • Physical Requirements: Individuals must have "adequate trunk control," "head and neck control," and "good muscular endurance (especially hip extension)." They must also "understand the function of the hygiene sling and be comfortable with its use."
  • Cognitive Requirements: Individuals must be able to cooperate with the transfer process and understand safety instructions.
  • Medical Considerations: Any conditions affecting muscle tone, spasms, tissue viability, or body shape must be carefully evaluated.

Best Practices in Using Toilet Slings

According to the FDA Patient Lifts Safety Guide, proper technique ensures optimal outcomes and patient safety. 

The FDA emphasizes several critical steps:

  • Pre-Transfer Assessment: Healthcare providers must "check patient's physical capabilities," "check patient's weight and physical condition," and "determine how many caregivers are required to safely lift the patient." The FDA warns that "the use of a patient lift should be avoided if the patient is agitated, resistant or combative."
  • Sling Selection and Sizing: The FDA states that "choosing correct sling size is critical for safe patient transfer" and warns that using the wrong size can be dangerous: "SLING TOO LARGE: Patient may slip out. SLING TOO SMALL: Patient may fall out." Healthcare providers must "only use a sling specifically designed for your lift" because "using the wrong sling may cause serious injury."
  • Safety Procedures: Before each use, providers must "examine sling and attachment areas for tears, holes and frayed seams" and "DO NOT USE sling with any signs of wear." During transfers, the FDA recommends lifting "patient two inches off the surface to make sure patient is secure" and checking that "weight is spread evenly between straps" and "patient will not slide out of sling."
  • Training Requirements: The FDA emphasizes that caregivers must "receive training and practice before operating a lift" and warns that "patient falls from lifts may cause injuries, including head trauma, fractures and death."

Sizing and System Compatibility

Weight Capacity Guidelines

Modern devices accommodate diverse populations with various weight capacities:

  • Standard capacity: 400-450 pounds for typical adult use
  • Heavy-duty options: 600-700 pounds for larger individuals
  • Pediatric specifications: 90-300 pounds with child-appropriate dimensions
  • Specialized models: Some brands offer slings rated up to 1000 pounds safe working load

Measurement Protocols

Accurate sizing requires specific measurements, with detailed guidelines available from most manufacturers:

  • Torso length from shoulders to mid-thigh
  • Hip circumference for leg strap positioning
  • Shoulder width ensuring adequate support coverage

Healthcare facilities should maintain multiple sizes to accommodate varying needs effectively.

Lift System Integration

Compatibility varies across manufacturers and models. The FDA emphasizes that "no sling is suitable for use with all patient lifts," and slings must be approved for use by the patient lift manufacturer.

Maintenance and Infection Control

The FDA guidelines for patient lift equipment, proper sling maintenance is critical for patient safety. The guidelines emphasize that slings must be "disinfected after every use" and warn that caregivers should "not share slings between patients unless slings are properly washed and disinfected."

For cleaning toilet slings, follow these essential steps:

  • Disinfect and scrub all areas that contact the patient's skin
  • Follow the manufacturer's sanitation and wash instructions carefully
  • Remove any metal or plastic reinforcements if required before washing

The FDA specifically warns against certain practices that can damage slings:

  • Do not bleach
  • Do not iron
  • Do not machine dry
  • Air dry only

While the CDC recommends that healthcare facilities "wash with detergent in water ≥160°F (≥71°C) for ≥25 minutes" for contaminated textiles, home care providers should prioritize following the specific manufacturer's instructions for their sling model to ensure both effective cleaning and equipment longevity.

Inspection and Replacement

The FDA recommends regular evaluation, which includes checking fabric integrity for thinning, tears, or excessive wear; examining strap condition for stretching, fraying, or hardware damage; and looking for loose threads or separation areas in stitching.

Experience Quality Care Equipment with Aracent Healthcare

When it comes to selecting reliable lift devices and toileting slings, partnering with a trusted supplier makes all the difference. Aracent Healthcare brings nearly 20 years of experience serving healthcare facilities nationwide, including hundreds of VA medical centers, with high-quality mobility devices designed for comfort, durability, and ease of use.

Our commitment extends beyond just supplying devices – we provide personalized service with expert knowledge to find the right solutions for your specific care needs. With free shipping on all orders, responsive customer support, and participation in the GSA Federal Supply Schedule program, Aracent Healthcare makes procurement straightforward while ensuring your facility has access to the quality devices your individuals deserve.

Ready to enhance your care capabilities? Contact Aracent Healthcare today at 888-550-7750 or browse our complete selection of lifts and accessories to discover how we can support your healthcare mission with reliable, professional-grade devices.

This guide provides educational information for healthcare professionals. For specific applications, always consult the manufacturer's instructions and institutional protocols. Individual assessment by qualified professionals remains essential for safe, effective care.