C pap machine maintenance

[ReedRichards]

I own an M Series Auto Flex with full data. I have had it for a year. It is good. I have noticed recently though some minor chest pressure that come and go maybe once or twice a day. Now I confess that I have not really done much maintenance with the machine. Can someone tell me how often I should get a new mask? Change the filter? Any advice on the maintenance would be appreciated. I love the machine but at the same time I can not take my care for granted.

[Hawthorne]

Mask should be washed every day with a very mild soap (Classic Ivory Dishwashing Liquid is good). If you want to just wash the mask once a week, the parts that touched your face should be wiped, daily with a Citrus 11 wipe. Mask sometimes last a year but many need replacing every 6 months - at least the mouth or nose pieces, or in the case of a full face mask - the seal that goes around your mouth and nose. The headgear and frame can last indefinitely but should be washed (Headgear at least every couple of weeks - frame every week when the whole mask is washed).

The foam (black -gray) filter should be washed every 2 weeks. It should be thoroughly dry before you put it back in to the machine. Having 2 is a good idea! The while filters (if you use them) should be replaced once a month anyway (depends on any allergies you might have). These are NOT washable. You should have a few on hand and they should be thrown away after use ( not reuseable).

Hoses should be washed once a week as well as the water chamber for the humdifier. You can get by with washing less often with these 2 parts. Some clean them rarely, some every week, some never. I try to remember to wash these 2 items every 2 weeks.

Masks, mask parts, hoses and water chamber should be left to air dry. The hose can take a while to dry so a spare (already clean to go) is a good idea.

As far as your machine goes, you just need to dust it once in awhile. There is no maintenance required for the machine itself ( except for the filter changes).

All this information is in your "Users Guide" for your machine and in the "Users Guide" for your mask. It would be a good idea for you to read these documents again and get refreshed as to what needs doing.

If you are having chest pressure and have not changed the filters regularly, that may well be the problem. You should also have that checked out by a doctor. It may have nothing to do with your therapy.

[RipVW]

I agree, but I do think using the white fine filters in addition to the foam filter is a must do--cleaner air aside, it just keeps the inside of the CPAP machine that much cleaner, quieter, longer running without issues, I believe. And, I think it's a good idea to change that fine filter every two weeks rather than just once a month (Just RipVW's sugestions!).

[Gale Hawkins]

I own an M Series Auto Flex with full data. I have had it for a year. It is good. I have noticed recently though some minor chest pressure that come and go maybe once or twice a day. Now I confess that I have not really done much maintenance with the machine. Can someone tell me how often I should get a new mask? Change the filter? Any advice on the maintenance would be appreciated. I love the machine but at the same time I can not take my care for granted.

It ready varies from person to person. If you use the humidifer it increases the work to keep things from growing. After I started using the chin strap (stopped sleeping with my mouth open) I found no need to use the humidifer because my throat did not get dried out any longer so drying out the hose and stuff task was over.

I have found by not washing the mask often and then only wipe it with a soft tissue or cloth for the most part really cuts down to the red circle around the nose and mask leaks stopped being a problem. My Remstar Pro may have lasted more than 4.5 years (12,217 hours) if I had cleaned the filter but when I torn it apart had a coating of dust on the internal air passages and on the fan itself. I had never hear of white filters and they sound like a good ideal.

It seems to really clean one based on what I saw in mine would require taking the machine apart but I do not think that is an at home task for everyone.

[Hawthorne]

I think that there probably would not have been as much dust in the interior of yours, Gale Hawkins, had you cleaned your filter on a good schedule and known about and used the white filters. It did last a good long time though! I don't think internal cleaning of the machine is something that the cpap user should do. I suppose If you know lots about how they are made, etc, it could be done, but not me!

[Gale Hawkins]

Hawthorne you may be correct. It has been my experience over the years had more damage is done by over cleaning than undercleaning in a general sense so guess I error on the side of trying to do less damage. I do think a deep cleaning of used CPAP hose and head gear is good prevention. I really hate when I have to use my CPAP machine in a place where even a faint smell of smoke remains like can be in a hotel room. That is a good reason to wash/replace the filter.

[ReedRichards]

Thanks for the information, I feel like a real dummy now. I have not done any of those things in the about the year I have had it. I am cleaning right away. I like my machine and want to make sure that I get the most benefit from it.

Does anyone else have any additional feedback?

Reed

[Babette]

Yeah, check your filters once a week. Then decide when you want to change the white one. I make a point of changing the white one whenever I get home from travelling, the lessen the amount of "hotel smell" I continue to breathe once at home.

My house is kinda dusty, and I find the white filter gets pretty dirty fast. Keep an eye on it, and you'll begin to see what kind of pattern will work best for you. I do recommend washing the grey reusable filter at least once every two weeks, if not once a week. I tend to do it when I wash my mask. My mask doesn't require daily washing.

Good luck!
Babs