Sterilize tubing or just clean it with soap?
Sterilize tubing or just clean it with soap?
I am taking the lazy route here and asking you guys. Actually, my brain fog/sleepiness is severe, so reading all the directions is tough for me.
I have been using my CPAP for about a week, so it's time to clean everything. I haven't cleaned the mask all week (gross, I know...sorry) either. If the mask would have seemed gross in any way I would have, but it's the Swift LT...so very little of it touches my face/skin.
ANYWAYS....
For the tubing, I am thinking of just submerging it in mild, soapy water. Then rinsing, and air-drying. That would "clean" it. But I'm wondering if I should add some vinegar to the submerging water to also sterilize the tubing? Or could the acidity be bad for the tubing? Is sterilization not really necessary if things remain "clean"?
I find myself asking the same question for the humidifier (to sterilize or not). When I had a room humidifier, I would periodically sterilize it with vinegar. But I believe those room humidifiers have filters and stuff, so that leaves more room for an "ick" factor. So is keeping these CPAP humidifiers simply "clean" enough?
Also, I find myself wondering where I should do this "submerging." I find the idea of doing it in a bathroom sink pretty gross. I would say a bathroom sink has more bacteria than the tubing itself. Same with a kitchen sink (I live in an older apartment, so there are scratches in the sinks, etc...nothing is from this decade). Does anyone have an idea of what I could submerge my tubing in? I am thinking my best bet is a large glass Pyrex bowl I have.
I have been using my CPAP for about a week, so it's time to clean everything. I haven't cleaned the mask all week (gross, I know...sorry) either. If the mask would have seemed gross in any way I would have, but it's the Swift LT...so very little of it touches my face/skin.
ANYWAYS....
For the tubing, I am thinking of just submerging it in mild, soapy water. Then rinsing, and air-drying. That would "clean" it. But I'm wondering if I should add some vinegar to the submerging water to also sterilize the tubing? Or could the acidity be bad for the tubing? Is sterilization not really necessary if things remain "clean"?
I find myself asking the same question for the humidifier (to sterilize or not). When I had a room humidifier, I would periodically sterilize it with vinegar. But I believe those room humidifiers have filters and stuff, so that leaves more room for an "ick" factor. So is keeping these CPAP humidifiers simply "clean" enough?
Also, I find myself wondering where I should do this "submerging." I find the idea of doing it in a bathroom sink pretty gross. I would say a bathroom sink has more bacteria than the tubing itself. Same with a kitchen sink (I live in an older apartment, so there are scratches in the sinks, etc...nothing is from this decade). Does anyone have an idea of what I could submerge my tubing in? I am thinking my best bet is a large glass Pyrex bowl I have.
_________________
Mask: Swift™ LT Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: Hoping to get a CPAP machine that will store more data soon. Open to suggestions. |
Symptoms: severe daytime sleepiness and fatigue/tiredness, oversleeping and hypersomnia, dark circles around eyes, sometimes brain fog.
Re: Sterilize tubing or just clean it with soap?
Ignore it. The air flows toward you only so there's nothing to really get dirty. I and alots of members of this forum never clean a hose.
JeffH
JeffH
- rosiefrosie
- Posts: 680
- Joined: Tue Mar 07, 2006 7:05 pm
- Location: MN
Re: Sterilize tubing or just clean it with soap?
Some people clean the tubing everyday with soap and water and hang to dry and some of us clean it once in a blue moon, same goes for masks. You can add vinegar also and rinse well. Some people add water to the humidifier as needed and clean it once in awhile. Some people clean the humidifier everyday with soap and water and rinse well and some also rinse with vinegar. It all depends on what you are comfortable with. Everyone has a definite opinion on this.
rosie
rosie
_________________
Mask: DreamWear Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear - Fit Pack (All Cushions Included with Medium Frame) |
Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier |
Additional Comments: 7.4 pressure setting |
Re: Sterilize tubing or just clean it with soap?
Okay, that makes sense, thank you.
So I'm guessing vinegar (diluted) won't damage the plastic? I'm thinking if I'm gonna clean it, might as well add a swish of vinegar?
I am more in the camp of, clean less often....because I use distilled water, which is clean, and if I'm constantly adding soap to this stuff everyday, that just results in soap scum, which gives bacteria a place to grow.
So I'm guessing vinegar (diluted) won't damage the plastic? I'm thinking if I'm gonna clean it, might as well add a swish of vinegar?
I am more in the camp of, clean less often....because I use distilled water, which is clean, and if I'm constantly adding soap to this stuff everyday, that just results in soap scum, which gives bacteria a place to grow.
_________________
Mask: Swift™ LT Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: Hoping to get a CPAP machine that will store more data soon. Open to suggestions. |
Symptoms: severe daytime sleepiness and fatigue/tiredness, oversleeping and hypersomnia, dark circles around eyes, sometimes brain fog.
Re: Sterilize tubing or just clean it with soap?
I'm one of those OCD people who learned fairly early in the game that washing a hose is counter-productive. Too many ridges to collect soap residue if not rinsed forever, and taking too long to soap & rinse. There just isn't any need for adding the probability of increased bacteria into the hose with all that washing routine, since there will only be water vapor passing through the hose with your cpap! Don't bother! The humidifier tank can become a little slimy, but harmless, as I understand it, if not cleaned every couple of months or so. If you see any spots of mildew or mold, then I would say you definitely should clean the tank. Otherwise, just not a problem.
DeVilbiss IntelliPap Std Plus with Smartflex; Transcend miniCPAP & Everest2 w/humidifier & batt for travel. UltraMirage FFM; PadACheeks; PaPillow. Using straight CPAP at 13.0/passover humidifier. AHI consistently < 1.5. Began CPAP 9/4/08.
- rested gal
- Posts: 12883
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:14 pm
- Location: Tennessee
Re: Sterilize tubing or just clean it with soap?
That's me. Once in a blue moon. Or even once every other blue moon.rosiefrosie wrote: -- some of us clean it once in a blue moon, same goes for masks.
I'm comfortable with the blue moon schedule.rosiefrosie wrote:It all depends on what you are comfortable with.
Here are links to bunches of opinions:rosiefrosie wrote:Everyone has a definite opinion on this.
Cleaning CPAP Equipment
topic started by forumadmin - April 2005
viewtopic.php?p=18245#p18245
More-Sterile/Easier-Cleaning Process?
topic started by bozmon - February 2005
viewtopic.php?p=7811#p7811
Cleaned my mask now it leaks
topic started by gerrys - June 2007
viewtopic.php?p=184829#p184829
Cleaning water tank
topic started by seernst - June 2008
viewtopic.php?p=275976#p275976
Weekly Mask Cleaning---OverKill ???
topic started by DannyP - August 2008
viewtopic.php?p=293520#p293520
THE HOSE - TO DISINFECT OR NOT TO DISINFECT ?
topic started by Marietjie - March 2009
viewtopic.php?p=352004#p352004
How often do you clean your hose?
topic started by Juliebove - April 2009
viewtopic.php?p=361594#p361594
Poll: How Often Do You Clean Your Tank?
poll started by NeedSomeAir - September 2009
viewtopic.php?p=405431#p405431
ResMed S9 VPAP Auto (ASV)
Humidifier: Integrated + Climate Control hose
Mask: Aeiomed Headrest (deconstructed, with homemade straps
3M painters tape over mouth
ALL LINKS by rested gal:
viewtopic.php?t=17435
Humidifier: Integrated + Climate Control hose
Mask: Aeiomed Headrest (deconstructed, with homemade straps
3M painters tape over mouth
ALL LINKS by rested gal:
viewtopic.php?t=17435
Re: Sterilize tubing or just clean it with soap?
An inexpensive 4 - 5 gallon plastic bucket will work, but you have to hold it under while pouring soapy water into one end to be sure the hose is completely filled.CAsleep wrote:...
Also, I find myself wondering where I should do this "submerging." I find the idea of doing it in a bathroom sink pretty gross. I would say a bathroom sink has more bacteria than the tubing itself. Same with a kitchen sink (I live in an older apartment, so there are scratches in the sinks, etc...nothing is from this decade). Does anyone have an idea of what I could submerge my tubing in? I am thinking my best bet is a large glass Pyrex bowl I have.
Quite a nuisance if you ask me.
Since Medicare will pay for a replacement hose every three months, I assume the insurance companies will also. I doubt your hose will get that "dirty" in three months.
If, however, you're "thrifty" like me, you'll put up with the nuisance and keep using the same hose for as long as possible. I have three, and alternate them. The oldest has been around for about three years, and gets "washed" every 2 - 4 months.
- M.D.Hosehead
- Posts: 742
- Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 7:16 pm
- Location: Kansas
Re: Sterilize tubing or just clean it with soap?
Blue moon for me too.
The only thing that goes into the hose is the air in your bedroom. And because of the filters, the air your XPAP puts through the hose is probably cleaner than the room air you would be using to dry the hose after you wash it.
Come to think of it, I think I'll adopt RG's schedule, every other blue moon.
The only thing that goes into the hose is the air in your bedroom. And because of the filters, the air your XPAP puts through the hose is probably cleaner than the room air you would be using to dry the hose after you wash it.
Come to think of it, I think I'll adopt RG's schedule, every other blue moon.
_________________
Mask: Forma Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: MaxIPAP 15; MinEPAP 10; Also use Optilife nasal pillow mask with tape |
Re: Sterilize tubing or just clean it with soap?
Probably every fourth blue moon for my mask. I've never washed my hose.
_________________
Machine: PR System One REMStar 60 Series Auto CPAP Machine |
Additional Comments: Encore Basic Software; Pressure >7 |
Howkim
I am not a mushroom.
I am not a mushroom.
- BlackSpinner
- Posts: 9745
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- Location: Edmonton Alberta
- Contact:
Re: Sterilize tubing or just clean it with soap?
Hose ? wash it? Moi? no.
The humidifier gets a shake of diluted vinegar and a drop of tea tree oil once a month and a scrub by a bottle brush if needed. Mask gets washed when needed. I washed the Quatro every day 'cause it got drooled into - I don't seem to do that with the Hybrid.
The humidifier gets a shake of diluted vinegar and a drop of tea tree oil once a month and a scrub by a bottle brush if needed. Mask gets washed when needed. I washed the Quatro every day 'cause it got drooled into - I don't seem to do that with the Hybrid.
_________________
Machine: PR System One REMStar 60 Series Auto CPAP Machine |
Mask: Hybrid Full Face CPAP Mask with Nasal Pillows and Headgear |
Additional Comments: Quatro mask for colds & flus S8 elite for back up |
71. The lame can ride on horseback, the one-handed drive cattle. The deaf, fight and be useful. To be blind is better than to be burnt on the pyre. No one gets good from a corpse. The Havamal