Cleaning machines, masks and parts

[melindy]

What do you use for that and how often should it be done? The tech said to not use any anti bacterial soap but that was it.

Any suggestions on how often and what to use to clean everything?

[ChrisD]

As others have said, we all have our own cleaniness routines. Over time you will find the routine that suits your needs. There are quite a few threads here on how to clean, when to clean, what to use when you clean, etc. Just do a search for them it you want more info.

My routine is:
Daily: wipe mask and forehead gel pad with a baby wipe.

Weekly: wash humidifer tank, hose, mask, headgear, and foam air filter in hot water with Palmolive Pure & Clear.
http://www.soap.com/p/palmolive-ultra-p ... 10oz-32784

Monthly: same as weekly but with an extra step. Once I wash everything, I then soak it in hot water and Control III Disinfectant CPAP Cleaning Solution.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/Contro ... eaner.html

Chris

[debbiep54]

Vinegar and water, maybe 5 water/1 vinegar. Cheap, easy, most of us have vinegar on hand anyway.

[cosmo]

.

[Roger2]

Don't know if its good but thats what I use twice a week. I rinse with water in the morning daily. Soap cleaning 2 times a week.

DITO that except I use both 3x a week.

How meticulous you are depends upon other problems such as COPD which raises many more issues requiring fastidious cleanliness. Bronchial infections (often leading to pneumonia and hospitalization) are no daisy.

pax

Roger

[Otter]

Every day I use Citrus II mask wipes on the mask cushion. Now and then I wipe the mask shell too.

I protect the cushion from the oils in my skin and beard with home-made mask liners. I've also taken to protecting my headgear from my skin, and vice versa, with cotton covers. All these bits of cloth go in the laundry in a mesh bag. They're durable enough to wash without the bag, but recently one got past the drum of my upright and clogged the machine, so now I bag them.

Occasionally I clean the mask cushion, shell, and swivel with a little Ivory dish detergent in water. I'd like to do this once a month, but I usually don't keep up with that schedule. I use an old toothbrush to make sure the vent holes are clear. Once in a blue moon I wash my headgear with the same solution. I've cleaned the hose a couple times this way too.

It's been almost two years, but I've never cleaned my humidifier tank. I seems possible the I'll replace the machine before I need to clean or replace the tank. I use only distilled water in it, and I dump it every morning then put it back in the machine and run the "warm up" cycle to dry it. Also, I usually wash my hands before handling it the tank so I don't get oil from my skin on it. It looks brand new.

I've had no respiratory infections and I haven't found anything growing on any part of my rig. The mask cushions last about 8 or 9 months. YMMV

[Sheriff Buford]

I wipe my mask down every morning using Pampers Thick Wipes for Sensitive Skin. You can also use the generic brand. Be sure the baby wipes have no alcohol or aloe. Alcohol will damage the mask plastic and aloe will leave a film. There is a Walgreens close to my work that carries cpap supplies. I get cpap wipes there when they have them. I also wash my mask every weekend with a toothbrush and baby shampoo. I then soak the mask in a plastic tub or a few hours in baby shampoo and water solution. I then rinse the mask very well. If I don’t the baby scent will upset my tummy. Look on the mask manufacturer’s website about vinegar. Some recommend you don’t use it, but I suspect a little won’t hurt.

Sheriff

[locust78]

For my big break-down cleanings I use Neutrogena soap and hot water. For my daily maintenance cleanings I use a SoClean sanitizing device.

[sleepnasta]

I started out soaking in a solution of vinegar and water then washing with a gentle dish soap. The smell of vinegar was unbearable for me. So I went to soaking my tubing, nasal pillows, and tank in Control II solution and then using the soap. I was doing that once a week. But I got 4 sinus infections in less than 2 months months so I decided to get a SoClean machine that sanitizes the parts with ozone. I use it to clean my parts every day for 7 minutes. No sinus infections for me in the past month so I'm pretty satisfied so far.

[Roger2]

I've had no respiratory infections and I haven't found anything growing on any part of my rig. The mask cushions last about 8 or 9 months. YMMV

I seriously doube that if there were any bacteria in or on your unit, that you would be able to see it with just your eyes. Bacteria range in size from 0.2-2 microns in width or diameter, and up to 1-10 microns in length for the nonspherical species. One millimeter is equal to 1,000 microns; it takes about 25,000 microns to make up one inch (2.5 centimeters).

[Denial Dave]

I've used soap with anti-bacterial ingrediants while cleaning all of my mask parts for 5 months now and have not had any issues at all.



Dave

[Pugsy]

Cleaning regiments...pretty much as many different ones as there are members to the forum.
Been discussed probably thousands of times and there are always people who have a rigid schedule and the other end of the spectrum people who have a rather lax attitude.
What it boils down to is what a person is comfortable doing...

If someone is bored...these are just a few of the discussions.
viewtopic.php?p=567264#p567264

If I were to post my "schedule" I am sure there are those who would cringe and roll their eyes...that's okay because I roll my eyes when I read how much work they do.

I had a rigid schedule for cleaning when I first started therapy but that got old real fast. That's okay...I sleep fine and don't worry about it. My immune system is healthy and for the most part..so am I. I absolutely hate the smell of vinegar so no using it because no matter how much I rinsed or soaked...it was always there for the first few nights.

Put together a schedule that you are comfortable with from the many ideas and schedules that others may offer.
I actually do use an anti bacterial hand soap to wash my nasal pillows. I think the caution against it is that it might cause a break down in the silicone and affect the life of the silicone. I don't see it happening...I get months and months of use out of my nasal pillows. Besides...it has a slight lavendar aroma that I find pleasing...so much better than stinky vinegar.
I have also used J & J baby wash...reminds me of how a newly bathed baby smells.

[Otter]

I seriously doube that if there were any bacteria in or on your unit, that you would be able to see it with just your eyes. Bacteria range in size from 0.2-2 microns in width or diameter, and up to 1-10 microns in length for the nonspherical species. One millimeter is equal to 1,000 microns; it takes about 25,000 microns to make up one inch (2.5 centimeters).

I'm sure there are bacteria on and in my equipment. They're pretty much everywhere unless we go to great lengths to remove them and keep them out. There are also bacteria on my pillow, in the air in my house, and in the my water, even though it's chlorinated. But my point is that, even with my rather relaxed cleaning schedule, there has not been sufficient media on my equipment to form colonies large enough to be visible.

Because CPAP does not bypass our respiratory defenses as some other therapies do, considerably less than sterile equipment needn't be a major worry for most of us. The bacteria present are probably very common in your environment or even in your body already, and they aren't causing a problem. CPAP isn't likely to change that. However, when it gets to the point you can see slime growing in your humidifier, that may be a health hazard even if it's not a pathogenic species.

[melindy]

Thanks for all of the information. I was sure that people had a lot of opinions on this, but after my first few nights with mine I realized I wasn't sure what I should be doing at all. I'll be looking at the links posted too.

I'm not great at being rigid with things so I'm hoping a lax schedule will work for me lol. The info about the cleaning supplies is perfect!

[chunkyfrog]

Unscented, non-oil-based, non-conditioning, non-abrasive, mild cleansers usually work.
Baby shampoo seems to be safe on silicone parts, but never use on Sleepweaver masks.
I use All Free and Clear liquid, on my elan, although they recommend Tide Free and Gentle. (I don't buy Tide)
Real "soap" is made with oil, but many companies' directions use the word "soap"--what's up with that?