Poll: How Often Do You Clean Your Tank?

NeedSomeAir · Post by **NeedSomeAir** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 1:10 pm

I heard in about two posts here that they don't clean the water tank at all and they use distilled water only. I, too, only use distilled water. But my user's guide says to clean the tank every day. Personally I don't see the need to do it. But if I don't do it, I feel like it is dirty. It's only water (and distilled at that) and it's only in there for a few hours.

So what do you think? What do you do?

drj130 · Post by **drj130** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 1:20 pm

I chose other because I have to do it when I find time. It doesn't happen more than once a week though.

David

Uncle_Bob · Post by **Uncle_Bob** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 1:26 pm

NeedSomeAir wrote:I heard in about two posts here that they don't clean the water tank at all and they use distilled water only. I, too, only use distilled water. But my user's guide says to clean the tank every day. Personally I don't see the need to do it. But if I don't do it, I feel like it is dirty. It's only water (and distilled at that) and it's only in there for a few hours.

So what do you think? What do you do?

I'm 6 months in and have never cleaned my tank. I clean my mask parts with Control III. What do you use to clean your tank with?
I personally don't want to put any Arizona tap water in my tank as the water here is very hard.

Rustyolddude · Post by **Rustyolddude** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 1:35 pm

Every day juat as a matter of habit. Since It's never totally dry, I just put a couple of drops of dish detergent down the tube, shake it and then rinse. Wash my mask & seal in a small bowl of dish soap at the same time. Lay it all out to dry. I have softened water so no concern with mineral buildup.

NeedSomeAir · Post by **NeedSomeAir** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 1:39 pm

Uncle_Bob wrote:What do you use to clean your tank with? I personally don't want to put any Arizona tap water in my tank as the water here is very hard.

That's a very good question. After reading the other thread/poll about what people use in their humidifier, if one uses distilled water only then why clean it with tap? That's what I've been using, tap water.

Rustyolddude wrote:Every day juat as a matter of habit. Since It's never totally dry, I just put a couple of drops of dish detergent down the tube, shake it and then rinse.

That's a great idea. I might consider that, except having to rinse with tap. I'm still learning. Thx...

timbalionguy · Post by **timbalionguy** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 2:00 pm

I use distilled water in my tank, but wash with tap water. I find I get a slight buildup with time.

I have noticed as of late a unpleasant smell when I first turn my machine on (while wearing the mask). I have washed the hose, which really didn't help. Then, I noticed the unmistakable odor of mildew in the tank when I was rinsing it out last Saturday. I washed the tank with alcohol and water, which killed the mildew. The smell went away. I did a more thorough cleaning last night, and will from now on clean my tank once a week.

I suspect the spores are coming from having the tank open while cleaning, or air drying the tank (which I do not normally do now.) I have no idea what the mildew was growing on, but I will assume it is materials in the air too fine for the filter. It doesn't take much.

Section1 · Post by **Section1** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 3:06 pm

I clean mine every now and then probably close to monthly. I don't always have water in it either because sometimes when I'm ready for bed I cant be bothered to add water to the humidifier. When I do I use distilled. It always looks clean and I've never had anything growing in it that I can see.

JimIllinois · Post by **JimIllinois** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 3:47 pm

I try to rinse it out whenever I add, but sometimes it's late, and, well...

When I do rinse it, I just slosh tap water around, shake most of it out and then add the new stuff. I've never had any odors, but then I only run the humidifier at the lowest setting, and the hose never rains on me.

About twice every month I use the trick I learned here - use denture cleaner tablets, which are cheap and easily available. Cute blue bubbles and foam, let it soak awhile, and the tub ends up shiny clean.

millich · Post by **millich** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 4:54 pm

I empty and dry the water tank every morning. I wash it with baby shampoo once or twice a week.

Mikosiko · Post by **Mikosiko** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 5:30 pm

NeedSomeAir wrote:I heard in about two posts here that they don't clean the water tank at all and they use distilled water only. I, too, only use distilled water. But my user's guide says to clean the tank every day. Personally I don't see the need to do it. But if I don't do it, I feel like it is dirty. It's only water (and distilled at that) and it's only in there for a few hours.

So what do you think? What do you do?

..... I washed it profusely it when my DME graciously gave it to me around 10 months ago... after that... just distilled water and no more wash ... no problems for now... the tank still clean and shinny

Lou Cypher · Post by **Lou Cypher** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 5:48 pm

I use distilled water and wipe it dry every morning, even using Qtips to get in corners..

Run it through the dishwasher once a month......

Muse-Inc · Post by **Muse-Inc** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 5:58 pm

timbalionguy wrote:...

After washing & rinsing, I spray with white vinegar and let sit 2-3 mins, then rinse very well and let air dry. I too had mildew; here in the South, mildew is a real issue. This final treatment has eliminated all signs of mildew. I use it on m ask parts too to remove soap residue.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 6:33 pm

NeedSomeAir wrote:I heard in about two posts here that they don't clean the water tank at all and they use distilled water only. I, too, only use distilled water. But my user's guide says to clean the tank every day. Personally I don't see the need to do it. But if I don't do it, I feel like it is dirty. It's only water (and distilled at that) and it's only in there for a few hours.

So what do you think? What do you do?

Depends on what the definition of the word "clean" is......

I answered "Never", because I've never taken my humidifier tank apart or used soap, chemicals, scrubbing, etc.
I don't use heated humidification so I just keep adding (refrigerated) distilled water about every third night or so. After several months, I let it get a little lower and then dump the remainder of the water, rinse it out with hot tap water and then refill with distilled. My humidifier tank still looks like new.

Dump and rinse......Yes.
Soap/chemicals/scrubbing......No.

Den

nobody · Post by **nobody** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 6:37 pm

I put "other". I usually put it in the dishwasher every 3 or 4 days.

rosiefrosie · Post by **rosiefrosie** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 6:38 pm

What tank? Seriously, I'm sure I don't clean my tank as often as I should, but I do use distilled water only and never have had any problems. When I do, I use a solution of vinegar & water and then rinse it well and let it air dry.

Rosie

Poll: How Often Do You Clean Your Tank?

How often do you clean your water tank?

Poll: How Often Do You Clean Your Tank?

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