Clean the hose weekly (per DME) or daily (per Respironics?)

[sasesusos]

My DME provider gave me its own set of printed directions on using my CPAP machine, and they say that the tube (hose) should be cleaned weekly. However, the printed instruction book from the manufacturer (Philips Respironics DreamStation) says that it should be cleaned daily.

This is a new machine, and checking back five years ago--different machine and different provider!--I see that it was the same five years ago. The DME gave me their own directions calling for weekly cleaning, but the manual from the manufacturer (Philips Respironics SystemOne) called for adily cleaning.

I didn't notice that five years ago, so I've been cleaning the hose weekly now for five years...

What are other people doing, and what do people think about the discrepancy?

[Julie]

Hi, here's the latest (but by no means the first by a long shot) thread on the subject -

viewtopic/t112746/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1 ... 2#p1085112

[LSAT]

There's plenty of hose talk.....I think 50% (including myself), never or rarely clean their hose. You should find lots of conversation in recent days about this.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=112704&st=0&sk=t&sd ... aning+hose

[Sir NoddinOff]

Once of month is plenty. I use a few ounces of diluted Control III sold by our sponsor CPAP.com. Dilute as shown on label. A lot of people just use a mild soap and warm water. A hose brush is optional but I don't think it's necessary.

[Wulfman...]

My DME provider gave me its own set of printed directions on using my CPAP machine, and they say that the tube (hose) should be cleaned weekly. However, the printed instruction book from the manufacturer (Philips Respironics DreamStation) says that it should be cleaned daily.

This is a new machine, and checking back five years ago--different machine and different provider!--I see that it was the same five years ago. The DME gave me their own directions calling for weekly cleaning, but the manual from the manufacturer (Philips Respironics SystemOne) called for adily cleaning.

I didn't notice that five years ago, so I've been cleaning the hose weekly now for five years...

What are other people doing, and what do people think about the discrepancy?

A collection of threads related to "cleaning".......

viewtopic.php?p=567264#p567264

In over 11 years of therapy, I've never "cleaned" a hose.......and am still using the same two I started with.
If you're adamant about having to clean your hose and HH tank, do it in the evening before bedtime and then any residual moisture will be added to the water vapor coming from the HH tank during the night. Some people THINK they have to dry this stuff out before they put moisture back into it........which is absurd. Use some common sense and you'll be fine.


Den

.

[palerider]

My DME provider gave me its own set of printed directions on using my CPAP machine, and they say that the tube (hose) should be cleaned weekly. However, the printed instruction book from the manufacturer (Philips Respironics DreamStation) says that it should be cleaned daily.

This is a new machine, and checking back five years ago--different machine and different provider!--I see that it was the same five years ago. The DME gave me their own directions calling for weekly cleaning, but the manual from the manufacturer (Philips Respironics SystemOne) called for adily cleaning.

I didn't notice that five years ago, so I've been cleaning the hose weekly now for five years...

What are other people doing, and what do people think about the discrepancy?

clean it as often as it makes you feel comfortable.

respironics has suggested cleaning schedules written by lawsuit avoiding lawyers, aware that people try to blame *everything possible* on cpap... so they set up guidelines that they can use to deflect lawsuits... "MISSED A DAY CLEANING THE HOSE??? YOU HONOR, LET ME INTRODUCE EXHIBIT 93735, CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS, WHICH THE PLAINTIFF FAILED TO FOLLOW".

your DME, likely the same.

plus, both of those entities make money off your buying hoses, and other replacement parts, the more often and more vigorously you "clean" them, the faster they wear out and have to be replaced. chaCHING$$$

I've read comments from people that *TORE* their silicone masks while scrubbing them clean.. chaCHING$$$

if it doesn't look clean, clean it, rinse out your tank, gently wash your mask whenever it doesn't look clean, wipe it down with baby wipes every night. if you look down your hose and something waves back at you, probably time to wash it... for me? I haven't washed my second hose... and only washed the first one seven years ago a few times because of all the hype, then I decided "this is tooooo much like work for too little gain."

[chunkyfrog]

Frequent cleaning often results in damage, thus raising the bottom line for both DME and manufacturer.
Small wonder they promote very frequent cleaning. $$$$$$
Use your own judgement. It is a relatively closed system--filter on one end, you on the other.
Where can "cooties" get in?

[palerider]

Frequent cleaning often results in damage, thus raising the bottom line for both DME and manufacturer.
Small wonder they promote very frequent cleaning. $$$$$$
Use your own judgement. It is a relatively closed system--filter on one end, you on the other.
Where can "cooties" get in?

some people see cooties EVERYWHERE!

[Okie bipap]

How much you clean your equipment is based on what you are comfortable with. I am asthmatic and have a lot of allergy problems. I am extremely sensitive to mold and mildew. I clean my mask every week, the water reservoir every other week, and the hose every four weeks. I change the hypoallergenic filter every two weeks.

[chunkyfrog]

. . .
some people see cooties EVERYWHERE!

--and it is so much fun to mess with those people.
{{{Of course, full blown OCD can be disabling; and is no laughing matter.}}}

[palerider]

{{{Of course, full blown OCD can be disabling; and is no laughing matter.}}}

those folks don't have time for you to mess with 'em, they've got too many other things to do.

it's terrible when your brain turns on you.

[yaconsult]

Frequent cleaning often results in damage, thus raising the bottom line for both DME and manufacturer.
Small wonder they promote very frequent cleaning. $$$$$$
Use your own judgement. It is a relatively closed system--filter on one end, you on the other.
Where can "cooties" get in?

some people see cooties EVERYWHERE!

And thus the product So Clean! exists!

[chunkyfrog]

--in which case, damage to the budget is an additional hazard.

[palerider]

Frequent cleaning often results in damage, thus raising the bottom line for both DME and manufacturer.
Small wonder they promote very frequent cleaning. $$$$$$
Use your own judgement. It is a relatively closed system--filter on one end, you on the other.
Where can "cooties" get in?

some people see cooties EVERYWHERE!

And thus the product So Clean! exists!

indeed, some people are desperate to have their wallets cleaned

[greatunclebill]

you'll realize over time that there are several cpap questions that are personal preference and have no right/wrong answer/ this is one of those.