Washing Everything When Using Humidifier?

[KenTheriot]

I wanted to check with those more experienced with using a humidifier. I have had one, but never realy used it until I got my hybrid mask last week. But I was told that if you use heated humidification, you MUST wash the mask, hoses, and humidifier pan (I have a Sullivan pass-over) EVERY day. I certainly don't want to give myself a bacterial infection or anything. But when I first got my CPAP about 6 years ago, they also told me I had to wash the mask every night even without a humidifier. But I went for 1 or 2 weeks sometimes without washing anything (when I wasn't using the humidifier), and never had a problem. I wondered if anyone here has been able to go a day or 2 between washings while using a humidifier. OR if it is just too risky.

Thanks!

Ken

[mindy]

Hi,

I was washing my humidifier tank every day (per instructions from DME) but after 6 months I just got really tired of it! So now I empty it out first thing after I get up and let it air dry. I wash it once a week. During the summer I expect to wash it more often.

Mindy

[sleepycarol]

I have a fisher and paykel 100 I am using and I do NOT wash it but just top the water off every evening.

I ONLY use DISTILLED water in it!! Do not use bottled drinking water as it is not the same thing.

I occassionally will dump the water out and put in fresh but I don't do this very often.

[deerslayer]

every morning without fail i wash mask,hose,humidifier in warm water w/ ivory liquid . sometimes use a toothbrush set aside just for. our rt said if we didnot clean we WOULD get sick. since i have auto immune problems, this child ain't taken any chances. being sick sucks

[Velbor]

As demonstrated above, you'll find wide ranges of opinion here, from the extreme of thorough cleaning after every use, to the extreme of almost never even emptying left-over water.

Justifications for rigorous cleaning:
-- bacteria, mold and other microbes love warm, wet environments
-- most CPAP filters are crude, keeping only insects out of the tubing, and room air is full of particles and microbes which can easily get through
-- airflow over the humidifier water surface is turbulent, and some droplets will get kicked up
-- mineral deposits on the bottom and sides make nice homes for microbes
-- ever hear of Legionnaire's disease and how it is spread?
-- and all of the above goes for everything downwind of the humidifier: tubing & mask

Justifications for rarely cleaning:
-- there's nothing in the water (especially distilled water) for bugs to feed on, so they won't grow
-- we breathe unfiltered room air all day long; our bodies can handle it
-- water is evaporated, not aerosolized, so anything that grows in the water, stays in the water
-- distilled water will not result in mineral deposits, since there are no minerals
-- there are no documented cases of infection linked to home-use CPAP humidifier water
-- the manufacturers recommend daily cleaning without clinical evidence; only to avoid liability

Well, OK. We each make our own decisions, balancing inconvenience (even if minor) with risk (even if minute). Real life offers few guarantees.