washing headgear

neilmalcolmson · Post by **neilmalcolmson** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 12:40 am

any tips on washing headgear?

jsmythe · Post by **jsmythe** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 6:13 am

Depends on the mask, but for my Activa and UM2, I put it in sink with hot soapy water (Dawn dish liquid) and leave it attached to frame. Wash them at the same time. Much easier than taking it off frame and then trying to readjust it later.

roncron · Post by **roncron** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 6:49 am

As jsmythe said, it depends on what kind of mask you have. I have nasal pillows type masks (swift, opti-life), here's what works for me:

I wash headgear and mask parts in a clean dishpan which I use only for cleaning cpap masks & headgear. (I'm not comfortable washing them directly in the sink, but I'm probably just being paranoid.)

I put warm tap water and a couple tablespoons of castille soap into the dishpan. I swish the headgear around in it, squeeze it a few times, swish some more, squeeze more.

Then I rinse them very thoroughly by dumping out the soapy water, briefly rinsing the dishpan, refilling with fresh cool water, submersing the headgear, squeezing a few times, then repeat once or twice if needed.

To dry, I wrap paper towels around the headgear and squeeze, to try to extract most of the water, then I let the headgear air-dry the rest of the way. Air-drying takes most of the day, so it's best to do this in the morning.

I don't do this as much as I should. I think I should be doing this once every week or so, but I only do it maybe once a month. (By the way, please do not quote me out of context "I only do it maybe once a month." )

I recall that the opti-life instructions said it was okay to throw the headgear into the washer, using mild soap and gentle setting. I did this at first and it came out fine. The swift instructions specify hand-washing only, so I only use the method described above for the swift headgear.

If others have a better or quicker way of cleaning the headgear, I'd love to hear/read it. The less time I spend doing it, the better. (Again, don't quote that last sentence out of context! )

Walgreens carries Dr. Bronner's brand castille soap, which works fine. I like Trader Joes brand castille soap better. (I prefer the peppermint version of either.)

Best,
Ron

Nosey · Post by **Nosey** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 6:49 am

FYI-
check out this thread..
viewtopic.php?t=4636

Richard

roncron · Post by **roncron** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 6:54 am

The thread Richard links to, I think, focuses on cleaning hoses rather than headgear. On that thread, people debate whether to use vinegar, soapy water, or even Listerine to clean their hose. My impression was that the vinegar-water mix was for disinfecting the hose but that vinegar should not be used on mask parts. If this is not correct, let me know.

Nosey · Post by **Nosey** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 8:37 am

http://www.apneasupport.org/about448.html

http://www.cpapstation.com/cleaning.shtm

http://www.sleepmed.com/markscpapcorner.htm

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index ... 857AAyqzxP

http://www.cpapman.com/clean.htm

(sorry for the url dump....real busy at work)

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 9:04 am

Wow, you all are so much more energetic than I am.

I put my headgear (and my snugglies) in a lingerie bag and pop them in with the regular wash.

I air dry them.

No worries.

I try to wash my headgear at least once a week - as I have acne and I want to keep that sucker clean.

Cheers,
Babs

jsmythe · Post by **jsmythe** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 1:36 pm

[quote="Anonymous"]Wow, you all are so much more energetic than I am.

I put my headgear (and my snugglies) in a lingerie bag and pop them in with the regular wash.

I air dry them.

No worries.

I try to wash my headgear at least once a week - as I have acne and I want to keep that sucker clean.

Cheers,
Babs

OldLincoln · Post by **OldLincoln** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 2:33 pm

jsmythe wrote:If only I had the lingerie bag! I would do this in a heartbeat as well! Ten times quicker and easier! For some reason, I always opt for the easy way out.....

Just use your pantyhose chinstrap and wash both at the same time <G>.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 2:47 pm

TSK! Lingerie bags are SUPER CHEAP! Get them at Walmart, Kmart, Walgreens, ON THE INTERNET if you're too sleepy to drive....

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product. ... id=5606750

See? You can just click and buy, and they come to your house! Think of it as a weight-loss assist for your postman! (Mine drives - he has to walk boxes to my door)

LOL,
Babs

echo · Post by **echo** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 2:54 pm

Small plastic tub + few drops of palmolive/dove/whatever dishwashing liquid + lukewarm water. Soak for a few minutes, (do the hokey pokey), shake it all around (squish/squeeze/repeat also works for me )... then rinse til soap is gone. Ring water out. Air dry. all bloody day. (having backup headgear is nice so you don't have to wait for the other one to dry).

I do it once a month or whenever I remember of whenever I start breaking out, whichever comes first (washing headgear, not the hokey pokey, or whatever lewd non-cpapy stuff roncron is referring to. as if. and on this forum. humph!)
mmm castille soap, i miss that....