quick way to clean mask

sleepyhead63 · Post by **sleepyhead63** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 5:55 pm

I have been very busy lately with working overtime etc. that I forget to clean my mask. Is there anyway of using some kind of wipe that is quick and I don't have to wet the mask and wait for it to dry? It seems like it takes forever for it to dry and if you don't get it completely dry it leaves the moisture and dampness on your face.

amandalee · Post by **amandalee** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 6:08 pm

When I'm at my very tiredest/laziest, I just wipe it down with a wet washcloth.

You could also put a 3:1 mixture of water to white vinegar in a spray bottle, spray it on the mask, wipe it off and then let any residual moisture air dry.

mikemoran · Post by **mikemoran** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 7:37 pm

Baby wipes work great and handy to keep by the bedside. Wipe your mask, wipe your nose and strap it on.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 7:59 pm

I second the baby wipes.

That's what I use most days. I only wash the mask throughly once a week on Saturday morning when I wash everything else, and do my other cleaning.

echo · Post by **echo** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 5:57 am

I thought there was thread discussing the fact that alcohol is bad for the mask? Though I guess they have alcohol free wipes, but then those contain parfums that my mask handbook says is also bad.

I've noticed my mask turning yellow after only one week. Anyone else had that from washing too much?

debst99 · Post by **debst99** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 7:12 am

Ut Oh! I have been using baby wipes to clean my nasal pillows also. Is it true that the alcohol is bad for them? Also, I have been using antibacterial soap to clean them. I heard that is also bad?

debst99 · Post by **debst99** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 10:59 am

Also, when I clean my humidifier once a week with mild soap and water, do I use distilled water to clean it? Seems like using tap water to clean it would kinda defeat the purpose of using distilled water to run it.

TXKajun · Post by **TXKajun** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 11:48 am

Ditto on using the baby wipes nightly. After 4 months, no change on my UMFF.

As far as cleaning with tap water, as long as you finish up with a good distilled water rinse, there should be no problems.

Kajun

sydknits · Post by **sydknits** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 2:36 pm

A pharmacy in my town sells wipes made especially for cleaning xPAP maps. They're awesome and not too expensive. They come in a plastic "can" like bathroom cleaning wipes. They're great at home and perfect for travel.

I haven't seen them at franchise drug stores like CVS, Rite-Aid or Walgreen's, but try a pharmacy - the kind that sells a lot of home medical supplies.

jamarshall · Post by **jamarshall** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 3:15 pm

Leave the machine running for ten minutes after nightly use to dry it. Wash the mask and inside of hose with a dab of hand dishsoap,holding cuffs on tube in palms of hands to slosh suds inside. Rinse with hot water. I do this in the shower weekly.Dry hose by holding one end and then the other while spinning it overhead; I do that in the yard. Then dry mask and hose completely using cpap machine- make sure machine is above hose and mask to prevent water in machine.Easy.

mikemoran · Post by **mikemoran** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 9:19 pm

I use scent free non-alcoholic baby wipes. Easy to find anywhere.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 9:40 pm

I use Dawn Citrus Antibacterial liquid hand soap (non-foaming type, the stuff you are NOT supposed to use), I just run the hottest tap water I can in one of the bathroom sinks, squirt in some Dawn soap, give the mask completely assembled less headgear the "beer glass" cleaning treatment, then rinse with water shake it over the sink, dry it a bit with a towel and use it.

Leaves a great smell in the mask and removal of the skin oils helps it seal better. Been doing it that way for nearly 6 years now, got 2 years use out of a single UMFF and approaching 1 year on my current Soyala nasal.

During those 6 years, I've never had to buy a replacement hose, or headgear, I usually buy a new mask complete so headgear is changed with the mask. I have bought replacement cushions for masks in the past.

So that old wives tale of not using antibacterial soap on your masks as suggested by the cpap manufacturer is total BS, listen to everything they say and you'll be purchasing replacing hoses, masks and headgear monthly which is probably the reason they tell you that.

I paid $1.99 for that bottle of Dawn liquid handsoap and I think I still have 3/4 of it left.

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Wed Aug 29, 2007 9:13 pm

echo wrote:I thought there was thread discussing the fact that alcohol is bad for the mask? Though I guess they have alcohol free wipes, but then those contain parfums that my mask handbook says is also bad.

I've noticed my mask turning yellow after only one week. Anyone else had that from washing too much?

I don't think there is alcohol in baby wipes any more. Could be wrong.

jen

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quick way to clean mask

quick way to clean mask

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