Cleaning Activa Mirage nasal mask

Kumbakaran · Post by **Kumbakaran** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 12:24 pm

I was told to clean the mask once a week with warm water and a weak
soap (I use baby bodywash from Johnson & Johnson). I was also told to
not let water sit in the mask.

How do you guys get the water out? I been using a Q-Tip, or a tissue folded over many times.

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 5:57 pm

Just got an Activa & watched the DVD that came with it. The diassembly and cleaning is quite a process. It certainly won't get a daily cleaning. Wipe with a baby wipe is more like it. I think it is a mask devised for retirees-to give them something to do-except I've already figured out how to spend my day and it doesn't include Resmed's routine.
It is a bit too large for me but seems to be funtioning well. May try Brett's PAP-Cap and see if that helps the really too big headgear-using some velcro strips to take up the slack.

hobbs · Post by **hobbs** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 6:57 pm

Been using a Activa since it came out. Have taken the whole mask apart maybe (2) times. Wash the cushion every night, forehead rest and frame (assembled) about twice a week and the head gear once a month. YMMV.

Velbor · Post by **Velbor** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 7:19 pm

I have been successfully using the Activa mask for several years.

In response to your question, I would first ask another question: why the advice not to let water sit in the mask?

I think this good advice, and the reason why I follow it myself is: moisture enables microbial growth. The faster the mask dries, the less likelihood of any nasties taking up residence. (After all, I've been breathing into the gadget all night, and my upper airway is hardly sterile!)

To accomplish this, I find that little more is needed than to vigorously and periodically shake the mask after rinsing.

Shaking will break up larger droplets of water into tiny droplets. Tiny droplets have greater surface area per unit of volume. They will therefore evaporate faster.

I also use the triangular plastic insert sideways as a wedge to hold the mask open, so that air can circulate easily to all areas.

I avoid pushing anything into the mask to try to absorb the water, since I have found that in my clumsiness the risk of tearing the thin plastic of the mask is not insignificant.

By the way, I find it interesting that ResMed's DVD's recommend DAILY disassembly and cleaning for the Activa, but only weekly (and even then only partial) disassembly and cleaning for the UMFF. While weekly mask cleaning is likely sufficient, I generally at least partially disassemble and rinse my mask after each use. And having used both masks, I can assure you that disassembly and reassembly of the Activa is MUCH simpler than it is for the UMFF.

jsmythe · Post by **jsmythe** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 9:16 pm

I have had the Activa for a year now, I clean it every morning after I use it. I clean my face every night before I use it. When I clean it, I use Dawn dish liquid and rinse it in Distilled water. Then, I "thump" it against my hand to reduce the water droplets and get rid of the excess water. Then hang it up to dry. By the time I go to bed, it is dry and ready.