CPAP Basics - 19 - Cleaning and Disinfecting

To preface, there are three procedures that need to be looked at here:

• Cleaning, or getting rid of gross material and contaminants (oils, protein matter, dirt, etc.);
• Disinfecting, or getting rid of most of the pathogens ("germs"); and
• Sterilization, or getting rid of all of the pathogens.

From a practical viewpoint, sterilization is not practical or possible in the home setting.

ResMed (while perhaps they mean "plain baby shampoo", I'd still go with plain dish detergent, cause some/most (all?) baby shampoos throw additives in):

Daily

Wash the mask system with warm, soapy water.
Do not use soaps with added scents. We recommend plain liquid soap or baby shampoo.
Rinse well and allow to air dry out of direct sunlight.

Weekly

Separate and hand wash the mask components and headgear in warm, soapy water. Do not use soaps with added scents.
Rinse the components well and allow them to air dry out of direct sunlight.

Cautions

•Do not use solutions containing vinegar, bleach, chlorine, alcohol, aromatics, moisturisers, antibacterial agents or scented oils to clean any part of the system or air tubing. These solutions may cause damage and reduce the life of the product
•Do not expose any part of the system or tubing to direct sunlight as it may deteriorate the product
•If any visible deterioration of a component is apparent (cracking, tears, etc.) the component should be discarded and replaced.

Note:

•Your headgear may be washed without being taken apart.
•The dye used in your headgear may run during the first wash

Respironics:

Let's Go To The Videotape!

Whats your opinion on using a uv black light to kill germs on equipment?

I think there's cheaper and quicker ways to accomplish the same goal, but it might be an effective adjunct (although see the "avoid direct sunlight" cautions about masks above).

Also keep in mind that like all disinfecting methods, UV is only effective if the object has been cleaned first. It does not penetrate scuz.

Thanks for the reply mollete.

Think I'll stick to the dishwashing detergent for now.

That said, I imagine we now need to allow equal time for UV disinfection:

Xenex

But like the capful of bleach, I think we need to investigate what is "an effective dose" of UV.

Since you asked, that one's $80,000.

That said2, a noted Healthcare Organization I know is trialing a rental program right now.

If I had a spare $80,000 lying around, I'd use it on something else....like a house deposit or a car!

I was asking about uv lights because I found the light I used for detecting puppy piddle, and it got me thinking about other uses for it.

Well, it's also helpful for gaining Insights Into the Meaning of Life as one stares at psychedelic posters of Jimi Hendrix while listening to "Purple Haze" with the volume pegged at max.

I bought a sanitizer called SoClean by Better Rest Solutions, it's been a real life saver. I am a lazy person by nature check it out online. Worth every penny, 250 USD.

I have been a hose head since October 2012- I use distilled water in my equipment, and Walgreen generic unscented baby wipes and never had any problems . No build up of any dirt, germs, etc so far - live with four cats, ceiling fans going 24 hrs a day, no dust on equipment.

Who are the "we" that recommend what your saying? I'm just curious.
As I've been using vinegar in a 1 to 10 solution for four years per my DME's advise.
I've used it to clean the hose, heated or not, and my water tank weekly.
Never have had any problems with either.

I fear this post will raise some ugly heads.
Hope I'm wrong.

Ditto to what Jazzer4 said. My DME said to use vinegar in a 1 to 10 solution for cleaning as well and I've had no problems beyond the fact that the Swift FX nasal pillows just will not last for six months the way my insurance company claims they should. But many others who use plain dish detergent report the same problem with Swift FX pillows not lasting very long.

For me the big advantage of vinegar is that it rinses so much more completely than dish detergent AND even the plainest dish detergents I can find have an odor that seems to linger on the equipment in a way the vinegar does not.

jazzer4 wrote:Who are the "we" that recommend what your saying? I'm just curious.

To whom/what are you asking?

Mollete you said WE recommend plain liquid soap.
Who are the WE?

If WE recommend not using vinegar anymore I would want to know that.
But would want to know who was telling me not to use it anymore.

Is it Resmed saying not to use vinegar?