filters

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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Elle
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filters

Post by Elle » Tue Dec 26, 2006 12:30 pm

Can someone tell me how often the little white filters at the back of the machine need to be changed and can you take them out and wash them or should I get new ones? Thanks for your help. Lana

Sleepless in St. Louis
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Post by Sleepless in St. Louis » Tue Dec 26, 2006 12:49 pm

I change mine once a month. They are not really designed to be cleaned but I've never tried it so I'm not sure it would work. They are fairly inexpensive so not sure if it's worth trying to wash them by hand. Maybe it is to you.

The black ones can be washed if you don't already know that.
Sucking Wind since Feb '06.

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bdp522
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Post by bdp522 » Tue Dec 26, 2006 12:52 pm

The white filters are made of a paper like stuff. You need to replace them. I replace mine every 2 weeks or else I start to sneeze alot. The black ones are washable(by hand) and I wash mine weekly.

Brenda

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SleepGuy
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Post by SleepGuy » Tue Dec 26, 2006 12:57 pm

My little white filter (Fisher & Paykell) is not paper; it's synthetic and I wash it monthly with warm soapy water and rinse it well and put it back (amazing how much dust it collects in a few weeks--yuck). I have to use tweezers to put it back in the right way.

It has held up for several years like that. I've seen replacement filters offered online--they are not expensive and I will replace it sometime.

Sleepless in St. Louis
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Post by Sleepless in St. Louis » Tue Dec 26, 2006 1:01 pm

I'm going to try to wash my white filter just for grins after reading the last post. I hate to throw anything away if it is still usable.
Sucking Wind since Feb '06.

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Doodeedoo
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Post by Doodeedoo » Tue Dec 26, 2006 1:38 pm

Elle,

I notice from your profile that yours is a Fisher & Paykel CPAP.

The filter in this machine is washable. To wash it:

1. Remove it from the unit;
2. Rinse it in warm water;
3. Gently squeeze out excess water;
4. Let it air dry.

Replace it only if it becomes significantly discoloured. I still have the original filter after over six months use.

When installing it back, ensure that the vertical black line is facing towards the machine.

Regards,

David[/quote]


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Goofproof
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Post by Goofproof » Tue Dec 26, 2006 1:52 pm

Sleepless in St. Louis wrote:I'm going to try to wash my white filter just for grins after reading the last post. I hate to throw anything away if it is still usable.
It's only your health, some filters when washed change the amount of air they can pass, that's why Remstar says replace at 2 weeks to 1 month. It's your air, enjoy! Jim
Use data to optimize your xPAP treatment!

"The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease." Voltaire

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Elle
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Post by Elle » Tue Dec 26, 2006 2:02 pm

gulp, I feel guilty for leaving it in there so long (maybe 3 months) but it still looks white. I wasn't worried about the expense but just fear of machinery and worry that I wouldn't do it right. I love this site for the amount of reassurance I get. Thank you to all for your replies. happy new year. L

mcnb

filters in bulk?

Post by mcnb » Thu Mar 01, 2007 7:43 pm

They're not that expensive, but my DME provider said that the white filters for my Respironics was not covered by insurance (whereas the black filter is). Is there a place to buy them in bulk (not just 4 or 6) to save even more, or even buy a large sheet of the filter to cut it down?


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Goofproof
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Post by Goofproof » Thu Mar 01, 2007 7:51 pm

It is a manufactured device, not homemade, like I said it's your health, what's it worth to you? Mines worth the cost, and if you have ins. they should pay for filters as they are expendables, like hoses and masks. Jim
Use data to optimize your xPAP treatment!

"The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease." Voltaire

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Rabid1
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Post by Rabid1 » Thu Mar 01, 2007 8:06 pm

Sleepless in St. Louis wrote:I'm going to try to wash my white filter just for grins after reading the last post. I hate to throw anything away if it is still usable.
I wouldn't. The white filters in the F & P are completely different than those of the Respironics. The black filters in the Respironics are designed to be washed. The white are not.

Wake me up when this is over...

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rock and roll
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Post by rock and roll » Thu Mar 01, 2007 8:35 pm

Our sponcer cpap.com sells replacement filters in multipacks at a reasonable price. Mine are foam and I think IMHO it depends on how dusty your house is really, if it has central air and if one filters the air. I change mine when I see signs of it collecting dust or darkens a little. I think every couple of weeks is excessive. But they are cheap. As far as washing I worry that it would require something to sterilize it and that is not something I want to breath unless it's vinegar and quite frankly I am not comfortable with reusing.

TripGuy

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Goofproof
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Post by Goofproof » Thu Mar 01, 2007 9:18 pm

The black outer one for Remstar, iis for dust , the white inside is for pollen and smaller size particals. Jim
Use data to optimize your xPAP treatment!

"The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease." Voltaire

awaken
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Post by awaken » Sun Mar 04, 2007 6:04 pm

I use the goodnight, and use a micro filter with it as well as a hepa filter. I replace them religiously once a month, first Sunday of the month. THe filter that comes with the machine is foam, I just rinse that once a week.

I think the cleaner the air you breathe, the healthier you are going to stay, so I think this is an imporant thread and question.

I am also going to try the pur air aromatherapy product for fun but still intend to keep using my filters.

Guest

Post by Guest » Sun Mar 04, 2007 10:20 pm

Is not the chemicals that give the aroma putting a foreign substance into the air you breath? Just a thought.