Doh! Bleached my mask

[PJ1S]

Left my nasal mask (ResMed N30) by some towels and it got accidentally thrown into the laundry and washed with bleach. Caught it before the dryer at least. I've rinsed it several times, soaked it in a tub with some dish soap and rinsed again but it still smells bleachy. No apparent structural damage - still fits and seals fine. But is is safe to use?

[PJ1S]

Bit more clarification - I have new gear on order already but it will be probably a week or so before it arrives. Just need to get by until then and wondering if it's safe to use.

[chunkyfrog]

As long as the chlorine smell does not irritate your eyes and throat.

[greatunclebill]

I would be scared to death to use it. if you can smell bleach i guess its little bleach particles in the air. you have to decide if you want to take the chance that some form of bleach will go through your nose to the olfactory epithelium and down into the lungs all night. I would personally put it in the trash and take the trash out. I would be much more concerned about the bleach than not having a mask for a few days.

[Deborah K.]

If you have some citric acid powder you could pop the mask into the sink with the powder dissolved into hot water and some dish soap, then let it soak. This is good at getting out smells. It worked great to get a strong vinegar smell out of my humidifier tank.

[babydinosnoreless]

I just set it outside in the fresh air all day. I would think it would be gone by bedtime.

[ChicagoGranny]

Left my nasal mask (ResMed N30) by some towels and it got accidentally thrown into the laundry and washed with bleach. Caught it before the dryer at least. I've rinsed it several times, soaked it in a tub with some dish soap and rinsed again but it still smells bleachy. No apparent structural damage - still fits and seals fine. But is is safe to use?

I hope you used the mask last night. Skipping a night with CPAP can be miserable. The cushions in masks are made of food-grade silicone which is nonporous. As long as your mask was rinsed and allowed to dry completely, it's OK to use.

BTW, you probably know it's good to keep backups of mask, hose and machine on hand for emergencies.

[ChicagoGranny]

I would be scared to death to use it. if you can smell bleach i guess its little bleach particles in the air. you have to decide if you want to take the chance that some form of bleach will go through your nose to the olfactory epithelium and down into the lungs all night. I would personally put it in the trash and take the trash out. I would be much more concerned about the bleach than not having a mask for a few days.

^Chemophobe

[chunkyfrog]

Just a touch too much chlorine makes my throat burn.
No fear--only pain.

[ChicagoGranny]

Just a touch too much chlorine makes my throat burn.
No fear--only pain.

When do you get chlorine in your throat? From a municipal water supply?

[chunkyfrog]

Yes, Alliance, NE.
The water supply has a lot of chlorine in it to counter excessive bacteria levels from ag sources.
The residents cannot drink the water as it comes from the tap.
Bottled water is more expensive there, too.

[palerider]

I would be scared to death to use it. if you can smell bleach i guess its little bleach particles in the air. you have to decide if you want to take the chance that some form of bleach will go through your nose to the olfactory epithelium and down into the lungs all night. I would personally put it in the trash and take the trash out. I would be much more concerned about the bleach than not having a mask for a few days.

Ever swam in a chlorinated pool? you get a lot more bleach that way.