CPAP Equipment Cleaning & Disinfecting Schedule and Instruct

[wmcanally]

Attention: Cleaning and Disinfecting your respiratory equipment is essential to the life of the equipment and to your health. ( NOTE BELOW OK TO USE VINEGAR) :


Whenever moisture is present, from water supplies, from body humidity, or any bodily fluid, bacteria can grow. If your equipment is not properly cleaned and dried, bacteria builds up and can lead to infections in your body, especially in your airway passages. Also, the oils in your skin and the minerals in tap water can cause premature breakdown in the materials used to manufacture your CPAP equipment, especially your mask. Therefore, we recommend the cleaning and disinfection schedule be followed diligently.
Daily cleaning removes dirt and oils that may harbor germs. Disinfection actually kills germs that may lead to infection. Remember, always wash your hands prior to handling your CPAP equipment.


To wash your CPAP equipment:
Only use a mild, non-lotion detergent. Do not use soap or strong dish washing detergents such as Dawn or Joy. Avoid detergents that use strong perfumes or dyes. We recomend using a dishwashing detergent like Ivory Clear, Palmolive, or Dial Anti-Bacteria for cleaning your equipment.

To disinfect your equipment:
Mix 1/2 oz. (1 tablespoon) of Control III with 2quarts of water in a plastic container. The solution can be reused for up to 14 days. If the solution becomes visibly dirty, make a fresh batch. First wash and rinse your CPAP equipment, then soak it in the Control III solution for 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly (allow water to run for 3 minutes) with tap water and then allow to air dry. Cover dried parts with a clean towel until the equipment is reassembled. To dry your CPAP tubing, hang over a doorknob or hanger. Alternative to Control III - Wash equipment with warm, soapy water, rinse and then soak equipment in a 50/50 solution of white distilled vinegar and water for 15 to 30 minutes. Rinse well and dry as instructed above.

Drying Hints:
Always hang tubing away from direct sunlight, as this will cause the tubing to become yellow, brittle and crack over a period of time. DO NOT attach the wet tubing to your CPAP unit to blow-dry it. The moisture from the tubing can drain back into your machine. Moisture in your unit can cause sudden pressure increases or short circuits.

Cleaning the CPAP unit:
- Unplug the unit before cleaning it.
- Never immerse the unit in water.
- Using a cloth slightly dampened with water and dish detergent, wipe the outside of the unit.
- Using a cloth dampened with water only, wipe the outside of the unit again.
- Use a dry cloth to wipe the unit and then let it air dry.
- Make sure the unit is thoroughly dry before plugging it in.

Cleaning and Disinfecting the Humidifier:
DAILY
- Empty any remaining water after each use.
- Never immerse the unit in water.
- Wash your hands.
- Immerse the humidifier in warm, soapy water.
- Fill the humidifier with the soapy water and shake the humidifier vigorously.
- Rinse with clean water and allow to air dry.
WEEKLY
- Mix disinfecting solution (1 tablespoon disinfectant per 2 quarts water).
- Soak the humidifier in disinfectant for 10 minutes.
- Be sure the disinfectant completely covers and fills the humidifier.
- Remove the humidifier and shake out the excess solution and rinse with distilled water.
- Allow to air dry.

DO's and DON'Ts:
- Don't use alcohol-based products to clean your mask, because it can cause the materials to become hard and brittle.
- Do follow the recomended cleaning schedule.
- Don't use any caustic or household cleaning solutions such as bleach on your CPAP equipment.
- Do change your disposable filter frequently.
- Don't put headgear in the washer or dryer.

[archangle]

Did you write this yourself, or is this from some sort of authoritative source?

[rested gal]

For a look at a wide variety of cleaning routines:

Links to Cleaning mask, hose, humidifier
viewtopic.php?p=567264#p567264

[wmcanally]

Now you know I'm not that smart. I went to cpap cleaning and ended up seeing this info and copied and wanted others to read too. i used Vinegar to disinfect the hose and have read some don't reccomend it. This post says its ok so i don't feel so bad. I do understand that some have commented it can break down the plastic of the hose. I don't plan to keep mine but 3 months and my insurance will replace. Saying all this to come for me to understand a mild soap will work just fine on everything. I use baby wipes on the mask and soap ( mild palmolive) on the tank and hose. I used a small dilution of vinegar to disinfect.

[archangle]

Well, where is the info from? It sounds like someone's presentation, so it would be interesting to know who wrote it.

"I went to cpap cleaning." Was this a class, training session, or what?

[wmcanally]

just found it on the net. Ill look it back up and provide it on here.

[wmcanally]

Here is the URL address. I've found alot of good info. Most of it from people like you on this forum.

http://www.cpapstation.com/cleaning.shtm

[archangle]

Thanks for the link. It's good to have as many references as possible.

[Bobby269]

Here's a link that says don't use vinegar. http://www.resmed.com/us/service_and_su ... c=patients (click on when and how I should clean my mask)
If you use distilled water you should never need anything but a good baby shampoo or maybe control 3.

[Ticman]

Here's a link that says don't use vinegar. http://www.resmed.com/us/service_and_su ... c=patients (click on when and how I should clean my mask)
If you use distilled water you should never need anything but a good baby shampoo or maybe control 3.

I agree when you are talking about the mask cushion. The plastic parts like the humidifier tank it's okay to use vinegar.

[Hose Head by Night]

Those cleaning instructions seem appropiate if your a "bubble boy" but not necessary to that extent for most people.

You breath in much worse stuff just being a foot away from someone who coughed or sneezed.

I think the schedules the CPAP suppliers give us are intended to sell more product (mostly covered by insurance).