Sanitizing the Water Resevoir on a Second Hand Machine

[markov]

I recently picked up a ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet from Craigslist and I want to make sure I sanitize it properly. I am getting a new hose, new mask, and new filters, but I've heard vaguely I should sanitize the water resevoir as well.

Is dish soap really enough when the machine is second hand? Obviously I don't want to use a dangerous Ozone cleaner, but although my intention was to save money I am tempted to just buy a new water chamber to be sure I'm not exposing myself to something.

[Dog Slobber]

Did you buy the machine from a Russian prison, infested with Tuberculosis?

If not, washing it with soap and water is just fine.

[markov]

Did you buy the machine from a Russian prison, infested with Tuberculosis?

If not, washing it with soap and water is just fine.

Haha, well thank you for the reassurance. The previous owner is dead as I found out later which gave me a bit of pause.

[chunkyfrog]

The reservoir is "upstream" from any contagion;
so little or no cleaning is necessary.
But you do what feels right.
Mental health is a real thing.

[lynninnj]

If covid taught us nothing else it taught us how to wash our hands to keep from spreading stuff. Same rules apply here.

A one time use of rubbing alcohol helps the severely paranoid but I wouldn’t keep using it after the first time and be sure to completely wash and rinse afterwards.

[palerider]

t I've heard vaguely I should sanitize the water resevoir as well.

You really should ignore all things that were 'heard vaguely'. and probably most of the other things passed around about CPAP care.

[Grumpy48]

Resmed's recommendation for cleaning which is sufficient 'sanitize' the water tub....

https://www.resmed.com/en-us/sleep-apne ... equipment/

And you don't really need 'clean' the gear as often as they recommend.

Buying an spare water tub is a good idea. If the original should have an unforeseen accident you'll be glad to have it.

[lazarus]

The WHO guidelines for cleaning between patients, as of January 27 of this year, state:

"Wash the humidifier in warm water using a mild detergent. Rinse the humidifier thoroughly and allow to air dry completely."

You can download a pdf of the guidelines at https://www.who.int/publications/m/item ... ap-devices

[DaveMunson]

White vinegar. Rinse after.

[palerider]

White vinegar. Rinse after.

The *ONLY* legitimate reason to use white vinegar or citric acid is to remove mineral buildup.

[Grumpy48]

White vinegar. Rinse after.

The *ONLY* legitimate reason to use white vinegar or citric acid is to remove mineral buildup.

It does that quite well when using hard well water and........
"Acetic acid (vinegar) is an effective mycobactericidal disinfectant that should also be active against most other bacteria."
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3940030/

[palerider]

White vinegar. Rinse after.

The *ONLY* legitimate reason to use white vinegar or citric acid is to remove mineral buildup.

It does that quite well when using hard well water and........
"Acetic acid (vinegar) is an effective mycobactericidal disinfectant that should also be active against most other bacteria."
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3940030/

This is true, however there's no *need* to do more than use soap and water to clean the tank.

[lynninnj]

White vinegar. Rinse after.

The *ONLY* legitimate reason to use white vinegar or citric acid is to remove mineral buildup.

It does that quite well when using hard well water and........
"Acetic acid (vinegar) is an effective mycobactericidal disinfectant that should also be active against most other bacteria."
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3940030/

oops

[palerider]

White vinegar. Rinse after.

The *ONLY* legitimate reason to use white vinegar or citric acid is to remove mineral buildup.

It does that quite well when using hard well water and........
"Acetic acid (vinegar) is an effective mycobactericidal disinfectant that should also be active against most other bacteria."
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3940030/

oops

Thank you for your typically meaningful contribution, that of a twittering bird.

You say "oops" like you think you understand something.

What you fail to comprehend is that I see technicians at the dialysis clinic, every day, doing an acid wash on the machine internals using either citric acid, or vinegar, for the very reason that they will kill most bacteria.

"oops" indeed. I might as well be trying to educate a cat.

[lazarus]

A vinegar soak is fine, too, as ResMed says:

"Once a week, soak your humidifier tub in a solution of 1-part white vinegar and 1-part water for 15-20 minutes."--https://www.resmed.com/en-us/sleep-apne ... equipment/

Like PR, I don't do it. And I certainly would not do it that often. But it's fine to do it.

I agree that "there's no *need* to do more than use soap and water to clean the tank."

Even between patients for a CPAP humidifier tank.

But individual choices on cleaning and cleanliness are, have been, and always be, a highly individual thing.

meow.