HELP! cleaning

[jmp]

Hi,

I am a clean freak and I clean my nasal pillows and mask daily with baby shampoo. I have been cleaning the humidifier and mask weekly using multiple anti-bacterial denture taps and occasionally with vinegar/water, then emptying the humidifier completely and letting it dry out. This is the 2nd time my humidifier has had orange/pink spots that resemble mold inside. I do not know how to completely get rid of these. Can anyone recommend a good (and safe) cleaner for my humidifier and possibly mask?

THANK YOU!!!

[dfireball20]

AH.... Follow what the CPAP manual tell the user how the clean and care for the equipment.

[usmccop]

Just use a basic detergent (dish soap) with warm water; that's all is needed.

[rested gal]

For new readers...here's an interesting old topic about many different cleaning routines:
Apr 19, 2005 subject: Cleaning CPAP Equipment
viewtopic.php?t=2482

My routine (more like a non-routine):
viewtopic.php?p=140614#p140614

[echo]

What kind of water are you using in the humidifier? Unless you live in Florida and take your water from the local swamp I wouldn't expect so much build-up with your cleaning routine. Seriously, distilled water is the best way to go. I clean weekly with vinegar and/or mild soap only, otherwise I get a film at the bottom of the tank even with the good water.

Sounds like you might want to get a new tank and start using a new water source (distilled only!).

[hannah01]

Those spots could be from hard water.

[nanwilson]

Ditto what Echo said. Distilled water only in the tank and a weekly soak in vinegar and water =water to vinegar 3 to 1. I wash my mask with baby shampoo daily, wash my headgear weekly. The manufacturers instructions for my tank says it can be put in the dishwasher, but I never have.
Cheers
Nan

[jmp]

I only use distilled water. I live in the midwest so the humidity is high, but even using distilled water only and cleaning the water reservoir with vinegar and/or denture tabs once weekly I am still having the problem of orange/red/pink mold/algae spots. I will probably start emptying the humidifier daily but am still looking for a good cleaning solution- maybe control III?

[jdm2857]

A dilute solution of laundry bleach will kill almost anything growing in your tank. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then rinse it out very well, until there is no bleach smell left. The manufacturers advise against this because they have to worry about people mistakenly using full-strength bleach, or not rinsing it out. You don't want to breathe bleach fumes, but since bleach is very water soluble, rinsing it out is not a big deal.

I've done this once myself, and it got rid of whatever fuzz was growing in my tank.

[scbeaver]

Where are you getting the water you are using? There is a post here of Distilled Water from Wal Mart leaving a pink residue in his humidifier tank.

Sleep Well

Steve

[jmp]

wow! good call. I get it at wally world. maybe I will have to start buying my distilled water somewhere else! Any suggestions?

[Wulfman]

wow! good call. I get it at wally world. maybe I will have to start buying my distilled water somewhere else! Any suggestions?

There are also numerous posts that run contrary to what you're reading and being told.
I've been buying all my distilled water from Wal-Mart (over five years) and have never cleaned my HH tank (just occasionally dump, rinse and refill)......it still looks like new and nothing has ever "grown" in there........or cleaned my CPAP hose.

The bottom line is to do whatever you feel comfortable with.


Den

[breakfast]

The pink/orange/red gunk is a bacteria called serratia marcescans. It is airborne and attracted to moist surfaces. The best way to eliminate it is to use regular household bleach and rinse well. Make sure your tank is dry every morning, don't leave water resting in it all day.

[Wulfman]

Are you also cleaning/changing your filter(s)? Other than the outside (room) air.......which comes in through the machine and should be filtered as it enters.......I don't know what the source of that "growth" (mold) could be (inside the machine).......especially if you're truly using distilled water. Consequently, if it's growing in your humidifier tank, then it means it's already in your dwelling and you're breathing it (unfiltered) all the time that you're NOT sleeping.


Den