New product watch. LUMIN SANITIZER.

[chunkyfrog]

In the absense of a diagnosis of deficient immunity, extreme cleaning
may not be addressing actual soil so much as "dread in the head".
Amateur counseling is a waste of time and energy, (((but too much fun to stop)).
We all have to do what we need to feel safe, even if it appears foolish to others.
[[[And they tell you so]]]

[palerider]

Ha . After I rinse my tube, I hang it for 30 min and then attach it and run the machine at max pressure with no water in the humidifier for a couple hours. It dries right out.

Even without rinsing it, the moisture from the humidifier or your breath could be enough to grow mold, no? I admit to being overanxious about such things...

I gave up washing my cpap hose after about 2 times... eight years ago. I'm on my second hose since then, they seem to last forever if you don't mess with 'em. (only reason I got a second one was cuz it's longer (3meter) and I needed the room to roam.

[palerider]

Well, this dohickey will work better than the noclean, since it is using a UV lamp... which is widely used for degermification...

However, I still don't believe it's *necessary* for the cpap stuff.

[ShinRyoku]

Again, why are you WASHING the inside of your hose?

As I mentioned, I read on multiple sites including Respironics' site and Mayo Clinic that it is recommended to do so. I didn't just make it up on my own.

The minute amount of moisture blown into the hose from the humidifier will air dry after the cool down period runs on your ResMed machine, or after hanging dry for an hour or two. So long as your humidifier is clean (not necessarily sanitized), the hose stays clean.

There is moisture in there during the entire time that I am using it every night, overnight. Microscopic fungi (mildew, mold) are common to most environments and don't need a great deal of water to grow.

It also makes intuitive sense to me that a warm, moist environment might lead to mold growth if left alone.

Your nasal passages are warm and moist, too........
How often do you boil or use harsh cleaning products on your nose?

The immune system plays a key role in preventing pathogen growth on the nasal mucosa. My CPAP tubing doesn't have an immune system.


I do realize that a lot of folks here never clean their stuff and do just fine. Some people only brush their teeth once a day, don't floss, and seem to do okay as well.

But most references that I have found recommend cleaning our hoses. I'm no super genius, so I look for recommendations from experts like Respironics and the Mayo Clinic on what best practices are instead of second guessing them and hoping to be lucky.

[chunkyfrog]

Never take advice from anyone who can profit from you following that advice.
Money does not have a conscience.

[ShinRyoku]

Who profits from me rinsing my hose? Not the Mayo Clinic. Not Respironics either from what I can tell.

[palerider]

Who profits from me rinsing my hose? Not the Mayo Clinic. Not Respironics either from what I can tell.

Respironics sells more hoses, because the more you fiddle with yours, the faster they wear out.

They also feel they can avoid some nuisance lawsuits by their lawyers coming up with a bunch of hoops you have to jump through, and if you don't... they just say "plaintiff didn't do as recommended, not our fault". ridiculous warnings and instructions are a by-product of our sue happy society.

sleeping pill warnings: May cause drowsiness, use care when operating a vehicle, vessel or dangerous machinery" .... SERIOUSLY????

[Wulfman...]

Who profits from me rinsing my hose? Not the Mayo Clinic. Not Respironics either from what I can tell.

The more the parts get washed/scrubbed, the faster they wear out. Consequently, the manufacturers profit from selling you more "stuff".

I'm still using my original hose (from May 2005) and it hasn't worn out. Other than every few years I fill it with hot water to check for leaks, I've never "cleaned" it. I've only used cool, "passover" humidification year-round since I started therapy, so there's no warm moisture remaining in it after I shut off my CPAP. And, since I live in a part of the country where the relative humidity is very low, it's dry within seconds.

Just don't hang it in the bathroom to dry. If you really feel the need to clean your stuff, do it before bedtime so any remaining moisture in the hose will be added to the humidity coming from the HH tank. That will save you from feeling the need to dry it.


Den

.

[ShinRyoku]

I'm content to continue to wash my hoses and buy new ones periodically.

-I think it's highly unlikely all of these places (Mayo clinic, etc) are part of some conspiracy to sell hoses. A few additional references:

https://dphhs.mt.gov/Portals/85/dsd/doc ... eaning.pdf

https://www.nationwidemedical.com/cpap-cleaning-guide

https://www.verywell.com/how-to-clean-cpap-3015322

-A Google search for "CPAP mold" brings up lots of credible reports of mold growing in humidifier basins and hoses. I'd just as soon not take the chance.

[chunkyfrog]

As long as it makes you happy.

[Wulfman...]

As we've stated before on the forum........"Do what YOU feel comfortable with."


Den

.

[Goofproof]

If crazy is what makes you happy, be crazy, but learn to run fast. Those men in white coats can run fast. Carry safety scissors with you, never run with real scissors, that way you can cut the nets. Jim

[palerider]

I'm content to continue to wash my hoses and buy new ones periodically.

-I think it's highly unlikely all of these places (Mayo clinic, etc) are part of some conspiracy to sell hoses. A few additional references:

https://dphhs.mt.gov/Portals/85/dsd/doc ... eaning.pdf

https://www.nationwidemedical.com/cpap-cleaning-guide

https://www.verywell.com/how-to-clean-cpap-3015322

-A Google search for "CPAP mold" brings up lots of credible reports of mold growing in humidifier basins and hoses. I'd just as soon not take the chance.

On the other hand... here's what looks like *more* credible data...
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=158566&start=0&st=0 ... w#p1220862
Also, oxygen equipment != cpap.

[ShinRyoku]

On the other hand... here's what looks like *more* credible data...

None of those studies present data to support a conclusion that hose washing isn't needed. They are much more limited in scope and application than that. In fact, the first study cites two references which do recommend hose washing and included a significant number of patients who adhere to this practice.

Also, oxygen equipment != cpap.

I am well aware to that. Some references discuss both.

[Air Jordan]

I'm content to continue to wash my hoses and buy new ones periodically.

-I think it's highly unlikely all of these places (Mayo clinic, etc) are part of some conspiracy to sell hoses. A few additional references:

https://dphhs.mt.gov/Portals/85/dsd/doc ... eaning.pdf

https://www.nationwidemedical.com/cpap-cleaning-guide

https://www.verywell.com/how-to-clean-cpap-3015322

-A Google search for "CPAP mold" brings up lots of credible reports of mold growing in humidifier basins and hoses. I'd just as soon not take the chance.

What do you think about not using the humidifier? I never put water in mine and haven't given a thought to washing the humidifier tub or the hose. Maybe I should start washing them? How often?