Big Mistake? Cleaned the hose, how do I get it dry inside?

[dae3dae3]

...Why does the hose have to be completely dry before you use it?...

It's a physics thing, more moisture means less pressure, so rainout reduces the effective pressure being delivered by your machine. The short answer, rainout compromises CPAP therapy.

I would be shocked if the difference in air pressure caused by tiny droplets of water in a six foot hose is going to even be enough to be measured outside of a laboratory. Even if it is the droplets will evavorate within a short period of time. Probably less time than what most people have set for a ramp time.

[Wulfman]

I'd be more concerned about hanging it out in the open (like a bathroom) to dry and exposing it to "stuff" from the unfiltered room air.

I've NEVER "cleaned" my CPAP hose (in 4 1/2 yrs.) and the only time I disconnect it from the machine is to fill my humidifier tank. Otherwise, when it's connected to the machine and mask, it's a closed circuit and nothing should be able to get into it.

Much ado about nothing.


Den

[torontoCPAPguy]

go to your local gun shop!
Get a swabbing tool for a 12 guage shotgun (made to sop up the oil and crap inside the shotgun barrel). They are about 3 feet long. Give the hose a swabbing (with a purpose bought shotgun swabbing tool) from both ends and then let the air blow through it for ten minutes or so. Dry as a bone. And then I believe you want to use a disinfectant made for CPAP hoses in a spray bottle and follow the instructions to make sure all the bacteria, etc., is killed for sure. My question is: What soap to use for washing? Dawn? Thought it was only for ducks.

[Muse-Inc]

...Even if it is the droplets will evavorate within a short period of time. Probably less time than what most people have set for a ramp time.

Uh, can take 45 mins at pressure=11 to get my hose mostly dry. I live in the South where high humidity is the norm, dries out a lot faster in winter with less humidity.

[katherinefulmer]

This is a Frequently Asked Question, so it's been added to the CPAP Wiki:

wiki/index.php/CPAP_FAQs#How_Do_I_dry_C ... leaning.3F

The ideas here are

1. Spin Dry

2. "Pipe Cleaners"

3. Hair Dryer

4. Let it Be

5. Rotate Hoses

For details, read the CPAP Wiki article and add any missing ideas to the page.

Many thanks for your query

[Ms.Snuffleupagus]

I'd be more concerned about hanging it out in the open (like a bathroom) to dry and exposing it to "stuff" from the unfiltered room air.

I've NEVER "cleaned" my CPAP hose (in 4 1/2 yrs.) and the only time I disconnect it from the machine is to fill my humidifier tank. Otherwise, when it's connected to the machine and mask, it's a closed circuit and nothing should be able to get into it.

Much ado about nothing.

Den

Yes I did read somewhere that each time we flush the toilet, there are micro droplets that spray for some distance into the bathroom. Yuck. It is the reason I always insist that everyone in the household close the toilet lid before flushing.
As for bacteria, mold and such growing in the hose, I guess the only way to really know would be to run a lab culture and see what it turns up. But not really practical, so I guess we will never know for sure. But the manufacturers do recommend that hoses be cleaned once per week. A toss up whether the cleaning and drying process does more harm than good.

[Paul56]

Place the hose in a freezer for a couple of hours. The droplets will freeze and fall off the hose surface when you flex it from the outside.

If you want to wash your hose... the best is to have a spare hose that can be used while waiting for the other to dry. In fact, having a spare hose is a good idea anyways.

[taberge]

Best solution ever: Go to the sports dept at Wal-mart and pick up the little hand held air mattress blowers. Works perfect! They are about $20.

[GumbyCT]

I'd be more concerned about hanging it out in the open (like a bathroom) to dry and exposing it to "stuff" from the unfiltered room air.
I've NEVER "cleaned" my CPAP hose (in 4 1/2 yrs.) and the only time I disconnect it from the machine is to fill my humidifier tank. Otherwise, when it's connected to the machine and mask, it's a closed circuit and nothing should be able to get into it.
Much ado about nothing.
Den

I have to agree. Sometimes we cause more damage by trying to do good.

If you are gonna do it anyway, take the hose into the shower with you. Like that cloudy color? Bring your mask too.

Use your shampoo or whatever you want.

Wanna kill the germs - use bleach or a minty mouthwash.

To dry it - whip over your head like the wild man (woman) you know you are or go commando and just hook it up and turn it ON. Just don't leave it in the bathroom (or bedroom) to collect the germs you were trying to get rid of.

Meanwhile, Gumby & Den will be looking for something to do with our extra time

[DreamStalker]

I'd be more concerned about hanging it out in the open (like a bathroom) to dry and exposing it to "stuff" from the unfiltered room air.
I've NEVER "cleaned" my CPAP hose (in 4 1/2 yrs.) and the only time I disconnect it from the machine is to fill my humidifier tank. Otherwise, when it's connected to the machine and mask, it's a closed circuit and nothing should be able to get into it.
Much ado about nothing.
Den

I have to agree. Sometimes we cause more damage by trying to do good.

If you are gonna do it anyway, take the hose into the shower with you. Like that cloudy color? Bring your mask too.

Use your shampoo or whatever you want.

Wanna kill the germs - use bleach or a minty mouthwash.

To dry it - whip over your head like the wild man (woman) you know you are or go commando and just hook it up and turn it ON. Just don't leave it in the bathroom (or bedroom) to collect the germs you were trying to get rid of.

Meanwhile, Gumby & Den will be looking for something to do with our extra time

And Dreamstalker too. Well actually I got lots of things to do with my extra time and cleaning CPAP equipment isn't any of them.

All I clean are my Swift LT nasal pillows (I rotate through 7 of them over about a one month period) and once a month I clean them all at the same time with liquid soap and water, along with the frame of the Swift LT (5 minutes tops) ... main hose has never been cleaned since I got it 3 and a half years ago. I take the hose cover off, and inspect about once a year just to check for leaks but I admit I'll check for mold too with sight and smell ... has always passed inspection.

My HH reservoir I rinse and swish out with distilled water once every other year or so ... otherwise I just top it off with distilled h2o every other day (always distilled). Looks as brand new as the day I got it.

[elg5cats]

I've NEVER "cleaned" my CPAP hose (in 4 1/2 yrs.) and the only time I disconnect it from the machine is to fill my humidifier tank. Otherwise, when it's connected to the machine and mask, it's a closed circuit and nothing should be able to get into it. Much ado about nothing. Den

Not one cleaning in 4.5 years.........Den, have you looked inside that hose to see what is growing....or volunteer to have one of those germ newscast experiments were your hose is swabbed, sent off to a lab to see what is growing and how it is going to make you sick or kill you. Do you have a "hose odor" when the hose is disconnected to top off the tank .....back in the days of 2003 when I was described as "noncompliant." I faithfully cleaned the hose in vingar/water every Sunday.......but now in this day of "compliance" I still think I'll wait until next Sunday to clean the hose.....with the thoughts of waiting 4 or more years, I think I'll just replace the hose!!!!! You must have one impressive immune system with all the ignored warnings of hose dirt and germs... Pondering: Could I drink from the same straw 4 years????

Paul56: Place the hose in a freezer for a couple of hours. The droplets will freeze and fall off the hose surface when you flex it from the outside.

Paul, I really like this idea for hosing drying. I don't know why it was not included with the best 5 ways to dry the hose......I could have taken the hose out while I shoveled snow and ice for two hours yesterday. I like to freeze grapes in the summer for a natural refreshment......the hose could have a dual purpose as a frozen grape dispenser!!!! uhm!!!!

elg5cats

[JohnBFisher]

... Not one cleaning in 4.5 years......... Den, have you looked inside that hose to see what is growing ...

I would be VERY surprised if there was anything within the hose. If the unit is properly positioned, if he only uses distilled water (or even decently filtered water), then (A) there is no food on which anything can grow and (B) talk about a hostile environment - anything growing in the hose will be subjected to constant airflow. It will oxidize almost anything!

The mask? That's a different matter. We breathe into it. We sneeze into it. It can get messy. But even that is no worse than most pillows. In fact it's probably better, since plastic is not the most "nurturing" environment for germs.

Like Den, I rarely wash my hose. I think I've done it less than 10 times in 18 years. And then it was only because I travelled where they used a room deoderizer that stank to high heaven. And there were two times I did notice an odd smell. Sure. I washed the hose and humidifier then.

But people freak out way too much about germs and their CPAP units. Trust me. I have FAR fewer head and chest colds since I started using xPAP therapy more than 18 years ago. Not more. If not cleaning the hose was bad for us, I would be toast by now.

... I think I'll just replace the hose!!!!! ...

In fact, I've replaced the hose more frequently (probably ten times in 18 years) than I've washed it!

[Hose_Head]

Paul, I really like this idea for hosing drying. I don't know why it was not included with the best 5 ways to dry the hose......I could have taken the hose out while I shoveled snow and ice for two hours yesterday. I like to freeze grapes in the summer for a natural refreshment......the hose could have a dual purpose as a frozen grape dispenser!!!! uhm!!!!

elg5cats

Just be very careful when shaking out that frozen water. Plastic hoses can be brittle when cold.

[Wulfman]

I've NEVER "cleaned" my CPAP hose (in 4 1/2 yrs.) and the only time I disconnect it from the machine is to fill my humidifier tank. Otherwise, when it's connected to the machine and mask, it's a closed circuit and nothing should be able to get into it. Much ado about nothing. Den

Not one cleaning in 4.5 years.........Den, have you looked inside that hose to see what is growing....or volunteer to have one of those germ newscast experiments were your hose is swabbed, sent off to a lab to see what is growing and how it is going to make you sick or kill you. Do you have a "hose odor" when the hose is disconnected to top off the tank

You must have one impressive immune system with all the ignored warnings of hose dirt and germs... Pondering: Could I drink from the same straw 4 years????


elg5cats

Yes, I have looked inside it, periodically. Nothing in there. Since I use (cold) passover humidification and the relative humidity out here is extremely low, the hose is essentially "dry" when I shut off the machine and take my mask off in the morning.....no need to do anything else to it. The air is filtered as it goes into the machine, there is distilled water in the humidifier tank and there would be absolutely no reason for there to be any "smell"......which I would be able to detect when my machine is running. As far as there being any germs from ME traveling down the hose from the mask end......forget it......you can't blow that hard to push any air down the hose......particularly on a normal exhale.

In my opinion, the act of "cleaning" (and drying) a hose increases the probability that more contaminants will be introduced to the inside of it.
If you drank distilled water through the same straw for that long, there would be nothing capable of growing INSIDE the straw as long as you sealed the end that touches your mouth and the container was completely sealed, including around the outside of the straw where it entered. Of course, to compare it to the humidifier, you'd have to refill the container with fresh distilled water occasionally.

We inhale more contaminants in the normal, unfiltered air we breathe all day long. If you're that afraid of a few germs......don't breathe......

"That which doesn't kill you, will only make you stronger."

Do what you like.......I have my preferences. "Less is more"

Den

[DreamStalker]

Shhhh Den ... don't tell her about her keyboard, she may never get on the internet again.