Best and easiest way to get mask seal REALLY clean

I've been washing my seal every morning with Cetaphil facial wash. It's convenient since it comes in a pump bottle, smells nice, gets the silicone nice and clean, and seems to rinse easily. However, I've found that after a few months it does begin to build up small deposits of soap scum (yuck) in the crevices. It doesn't help that my mask (Mirage Liberty) has areas that are pretty hard to rinse (pillows mostly). Does anyone have a product that won't break the bank and won't turn daily mask cleaning into a 30 minute ordeal?

I wash my mask in Method soap for dishes; I like the clean Sea Mineral scent although the scent fades quickly. After rinsing, I toss in a bowl for a few minutes with 3 cups of water and 1/2 cup straight white vinegar (I change the 'bath' weekly or whenever it gets soapy). Then, rinse well and let air dry out of sunlight.

Every 6 months or so, I boil the silicon parts in 3 qts distilled water to which I've added 2 measuring teaspoons of baking soda -- 5-10 mins depending on how filmy they are. I fish 'em out, let drain and cool, then repeat if still filmy.

I have some silicon parts from 2009 that still seal well with zero leak the next morning.

Now, that said, I have four masks. I wash 'em all, then store out of sunlight. I'm too lazy (and running too late) to wash in the morning. If I don't have a clean mask, I wash when I get home, and on nights when I don't have a clean mask and come home late, I just wash as per above, blot dry with a well-washed fingertip towel (no lint) and place under the lamp on the nightstand...dries usually with 10 mins that way.

KSMike wrote:I've been washing my seal every morning with Cetaphil facial wash. It's convenient since it comes in a pump bottle, smells nice, gets the silicone nice and clean, and seems to rinse easily. However, I've found that after a few months it does begin to build up small deposits of soap scum (yuck) in the crevices. It doesn't help that my mask (Mirage Liberty) has areas that are pretty hard to rinse (pillows mostly). Does anyone have a product that won't break the bank and won't turn daily mask cleaning into a 30 minute ordeal?

strange but apparently true: viewtopic/t75749/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=74 ... il#p684870

OK, I read all 4 pages - thanks for the link! Based on how long it takes for this buildup to start becoming visible, I think I'll try a once-a-month boil and stick to what I'm already doing the rest of the time. Thanks again!

let me know how it works

I don't recommend boiling. IMO it breaks down the material too quickly. Best bet (again IMO) is to rinse in vinegar/water bath once a week. I'm very fortunate that my insurance is willing to replace my cushion every month. Even with the precautions I take, there is a gradual breakdown of the ability to get a good seal after one month. Could be due to higher pressures?

MagsterMile wrote:IMO it breaks down the material too quickly.

do you have anything to back up your opinion? (just curious and looking factual data)

I have used a silicone seal for a year. I use a baby wipe every night before I put the mask on and wash the seal once a month with hand soap. I boil the seal at about 3 months. In recapping...my seal gets washed 12 times a year and boiled 3-4 times a year. The seal would probably last longer but I just call the DME and let the insurance pick up the tab for a new one. In answer to MMs comment...after boiling the seal works like new....Some people just take advantage of their insurance.

For over nine years I've been washing my UMFF masks in Dawn dishwashing liquid.......and get YEARS of use out of them.

I use a large plastic Folgers coffee "can" (empty of course) and put the complete mask (minus headgear) in a hot soapy mix to soak for awhile. (usually with the lid on) Then, after a bit, I go over the mask and seal by hand rubbing it to clean it.
Then, I empty the soapy mix and fill with plain hot water and rinse.....and empty and rinse until the soapy residue is all gone.
Then, I fill with plain hot water again and let it soak for awhile longer.
Then, I fill with plain COLD water and let it soak for awhile.
Then, I remove the mask, shake off most of the water and towel-dry with a "flour sack" dish towel.

I also used to wash the headgear and strap covers with the mask, but in the last few years I've just thrown it in a load of laundry and hang to dry. (I never undo the headgear Velcro)

I believe the soaking in cold water helps to bring back some "springiness" to the mask cushion.

I don't do this on a daily basis. It's every few months.


Den

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Have you tried baby shampoo? I use it and have not noticed any build up.

I only wash my cushions about once a week. I use a mask liner so the cushion does not actually touch my skin. I wash with Ivory soap, rinse, and air dry. When things don't seem so fresh anymore, I do the vinegar thing. After about a month to 6 weeks, I start to develop leaks, and I rotate to my other cushion. When the second cushion get leaky, I wash, do the vinegar thing, and boil both of them at the same time with baking soda. I have done this to the same cushions about 6 times before they are spent. This works great and I can extend the life of my cushions for a long time.

I use unscented baby wipes several times a week.
This gives me around 3 weeks before my P10 pillows look/feel cruddy.
Medicare and my supplement covers the whole ball of wax.

I did the boil using a solution of water, baking soda and white vinegar. I went 5 minutes, rinsed, then another 5 minutes - because it didn't seem to have any effect. After the 2nd boil it seemed like it was a little cleaner but not enough to be worth the trouble. It was still just as cloudy and I could still find tiny traces of soap buildup. This seal is several months old (maybe more, time gets away from me), so it may just be that too much time has gone by before trying such an aggressive cleaning. In the 1st boil there was definitely soap coming out of the silicone - so much that I had to take the pan off the heat to keep it from boiling over. In the 2nd boil I saw no evidence of soap at all.

When I first started on CPAP (going on 6 years ago), I used baby shampoo. Maybe I should go back to that, or Dawn. The Cetaphil is deceiving because it seems to rinse so well, and is so convenient in a pump bottle. But that's easy enough to fix.

I've tried the various methods of cleaning on my cushions. I consider myself happy if I can get 4 months use out of one. I alternate between OOP and using my medical coverage.

I don't think that's abusing my medical coverage.