PROPER CLEANING, Equipment Life Span

[westgl]

Hello,

I have had My CPAP for about 6 months, Up until now I have cleaned it using Apple cider vinegar, the hose, and nose pillow, Humidifier water cup & lid, all with Vinegar once a week.

I have replaced 1ea Nose Pillow, so far.

I want to make sure that i am cleaning it properly and replacing items in a timely manner as to not get bacteria and have any problems.

I know that Bleach in water ( a couple of drops per gallon can make water drinkable, Can a small amount of bleach be used every month or so to clean things up??

What other cleaning methods can be used for the Hose mainly, since it is the hardest item to clean.

I do not have any insurance so i would like to make the consumable items last as long as possible, without getting germs.

Thanks

Westgl

[jeffishere100]

I am a new user too so im not sure but i think we need to get the oils off especially if we are using nasal pillows so i think dawn dishsoap is what they use to get oil off oiled birds etc. might work for us. my sleep equipt. tech told me to use dove dish soap.

[bap40]

I use a all natural soap to clean my nasal pillows. I use vinegar and water for all the rest, hose, humidifier etc. Then I use shampoo for the headgear. All together works well. I do not think I would use any bleach on anything. Vinegar disinfects just the same as bleach. Exactly the same as a matter of fact. So you will be better off sticking with it. Also just to let you know, plain old white vinegar works. You go not need to use the apple unless you prefer it.

[Jersey Girl]

I use Ivory Liquid dish soap with very warm water - just a few drops in each side of my hose, rinse well with very warm water, and hang to dry once each week.

I use the same Ivory dish washing liquid on my nasal pillows. I use distilled white vinegar - one parts vinegar, 2 parts water in my humidifier chamber each week to clean.

My cleaning regimen is once per week.

I use Citris II mask wipes each day to clean the nasal pillow mask Mon - Sat (Sunday is my day to take apart everything and give it the thorough cleaning, as stated above.)

Best regards,

Jersey Girl

[westgl]

Thanks for all the replys,

I misspoke/wrote, I use an anti bacterial liquid soap in my once a week super cleaning.

The Vinegar is for the disinfecting as mentioned, and this is what i am concerned about.

I came done with some kind of a cold? weird flu? that effected my throat, lungs kind of made my lungs sore and really really tired, i thought maybe i was not cleaning/disinfecting properly.

No i have not used Bleach just asking the question.

Thanks

Westgl

[LinkC]

I think over-cleaning and/or incompatible products shortens the effective life of CPAP equipment more than any other factor.

[HoseCrusher]

Just to offer a contrary view... I don't think you can over clean your equipment.

On the other hand, if you have a strong immune system and want to give it something to strengthen it more, don't bother cleaning it at all...

I view cleaning your equipment just like washing your hands. While I have a strong immune system, I clean my equipment daily. It seems to be lasting fine.

[jmcanzo]

Unless you loan out your machine to strangers it is YOUR OWN germs!.. I highly doubt your germs get into the hose or machine... IT BLOWS AIR OUT!. I think taking it apart and cleaning it all causes more wear and tear.

[digitaleagle]

I wash my nasal pillows daily with a little warm water and Johnson's baby shampoo. I then rinse it off and let it dry. I rotate 2 to three pillows until they are wore out. I then use the warm soapy water to wash my face with and shave.

Once a week I disinfect my hose, head gear, humidifier tank, etc. I also wash my cheek pads and the back strap to my headgear. I also wash out the washable air filter at the same time. It's probably overkill but I do it just to be on the safe side.

This works well for me.

[bearded_two]

I would not use anti-bacterial liquid soap on the soft parts of CPAP equipment as it may cause deterioration. There is no reason to wash CPAP hoses (unless the outside gets gets dirty). Unless you are sharing equipment with someone else or you buy used equipment, there really isn't any reason at all to use any sort of of disinfectant on CPAP equipment; washing it with plain dish soap will clean it just fine. White vinegar will help to remove oil, it is not necessary to use apple cider vinegar because plastic and silicone doesn't care.

[Bobby269]

See this site.http://www.resmed.com/us/service_and_su ... c=patients.
According to Resmed vinegar is only used for cleaning the humidifier water holder. Use 1 part white vinegar
to 10 parts of water . It is not to be used on seals or the hose.

[charliemack]

THINGS get dirty. With that said, scheduled cleaning of your CPAP equipment (mask, hose, humidifier tank) is necessary. That little foam filter on the back of a RESMED S8 (that I have) is not going to filter the air sufficiently so "stuff" is going to go into the humidifier tank, the hose, the mask and then you. I do a thorough cleaning once a week.

NOW, does it prolong the life of the equipment? I DON'T KNOW. When I first started CPAP treatment I followed the book and replaced the hose, mask etc on the scheduled the DME set up (and Medicare followed) for less than a year. Then I went to my own replacement schedule for the mask liner and hose replacing them about every 6 months but saved the old hoses and liners. The gel liners show yellowing but are still flexible while the hoses look great and have not cracked or lost their flexibility. By the way I do replace the filter in the back of the machine 2 times a month.

I do use a mask liner from Remzzzs and have for over two years. They help absorb facial oils and moisture that occur during the night and I feel prolong the life of the mask liner as well as help with leakage tremendously.

[NancyAZ]

I wash my nasal pillows, humidifier tank, and small mask hose daily in Neutrogena facial wash. I air dry everything. Once a week I wash the heated hose, head gear and I wipe down the outside of the machine itself. I just don't want anything growing that I can't see and I want everything to stay looking nice! It just takes a few minutes each morning. Everyone has their own method. Many times I've seen unscented baby shampoo recommended as a cleaner. When the Neutrogena runs out (won't be for a long, long time as you only use a couple of drops) I will try the baby shampoo.

Nancy

[jennyj]

Last I brought there products and currently there is no need for cleaning it. Its still in good condition

[ladyhen]

I've been told by two RT to specifically avoid Dawn, anti-bacterial soap, and baby wipes. One RT recommended Lemon Joy.