How long should a mask last.

[eeckel]

How do you know when a mask is worn out? I've been using one for three months and it seems fine. How long can I expect it to last?

[wolftracker]

i have had them last about a year
your mileage may vary

[LSAT]

I think most masks will last a long time...cushions and pillows definitely need replacements when they no longer make a seal. I have changed masks at 9-10 months but realistically I could have used them longer.

[SleepingUgly]

It varies markedly, even within the same brand of pillow/cushion. You can tell a pillow is getting worn out if it starts leaking more. That's probably true of all types of cushions.

[HoseCrusher]

About a year after putting my current mask and headgear into service I started experiencing a slight increase in leaks. In order to keep my pillows working I clean them often and about once a month I boil them.

At first I thought my pillows needed boiling again, but then realized that I had just done that.

Now keep in mind that masking up is rather automatic with me, and usually I am asleep just as my head hits my pillow.

In order to figure out what was going on I went to bed a little early. Much to my surprise I discovered that my head had shrunk...

Well that couldn't be right so I check further. Come to find out my headgear had stretched. I did a re-fit of the whole set up and my leak rate is back to normal.

I don't know if I can get another year out of it, but it has turned into a bit of a game. I have a couple of new complete masks in reserve but it is a challenge to see how far I can go.

To answer your question it depends upon the mask and how you care for it. I didn't do anything for the first 3 months, then decided to see how far I could go. After that I was going to replace the pillows but decided to boil them and see how that worked out. My procedure is to put a little Palmolive dish soap into the water and bring it to a boil. Then I dump the water and repeat with a little baking soda in the water. Finally I rinse everything off and just dump them into plain water and once again bring it to a boil. Also, during the last year I have not had a runny nose or cold so no extra "gunk" has been added to the pillows.

[DavidCarolina]

yEP I EXPECT TO USE AN EXPENSIVE MASK ABOUT 500 TIMES. THAT'D BE A YEAR INCLUDING NAPS, ETC.

ALWAYS HAVE A GOOD BACK UP READY TO GO.

[MyIdaho]

I think most masks will last a long time...cushions and pillows definitely need replacements when they no longer make a seal. I have changed masks at 9-10 months but realistically I could have used them longer.

Morning LSAT. So you're saying you replace the plastic part of the mask every 9-10 months, correct? How often do you replace the cushion? I'm closing in on 6 months of CPAP therapy. According to the manual, I should be replacing the plastic mask, cushion and headgear in a week or so but my mask is working perfectly. I'm thinking about buying a full mask so I have a complete backup. Right now, I only have my first used cushion (3 months use) as a backup, probably not a great plan on my part... Do you buy the parts as needed or suggest a full mask as backup?

Thanks!

[cosmo]

About 3-4 months for me. Chinstrap needs a replacement around that time also.

[LSAT]

I think most masks will last a long time...cushions and pillows definitely need replacements when they no longer make a seal. I have changed masks at 9-10 months but realistically I could have used them longer.

Morning LSAT. So you're saying you replace the plastic part of the mask every 9-10 months, correct? How often do you replace the cushion? I'm closing in on 6 months of CPAP therapy. According to the manual, I should be replacing the plastic mask, cushion and headgear in a week or so but my mask is working perfectly. I'm thinking about buying a full mask so I have a complete backup. Right now, I only have my first used cushion (3 months use) as a backup, probably not a great plan on my part... Do you buy the parts as needed or suggest a full mask as backup?

Thanks!

The replacement/cleaning schedule I have used for 5 years is as follows.
Mask & Headgear up to 1 years.....Wipe nightly with wipes
Cushions 3-4 months...wipe nightly with wipes....wash weekly...boil at 2 months
Hose 1 year....rinse out monthly (I don't know why?)
Humidifier cup 1 year...never clean...use distilled water only
Filters 2 months each

I am in Medicare and could replace most of these items more frequently..but why???
I do have a back-up for everything.

[MagsterMile]

I see that you use the Mirage Quattro FFM. So do I. I replaced mine at 6 months when the dial kept falling off and the swivel part that's attached to the hose kept on creaking. Didn't want to use WD40

[LSAT]

I see that you use the Mirage Quattro FFM. So do I. I replaced mine at 6 months when the dial kept falling off and the swivel part that's attached to the hose kept on creaking. Didn't want to use WD40

When the swivil squeeks...just pull it off and clean it. Squeek stops. Also...it's a replaceable piece

[cosmo]

Didn't want to use WD40

Good on metals, probably not so good on your health. Maybe try bacon grease instead?

[chunkyfrog]

I use Lansinoh on squeaky swivels.
Just work it in with a piece of dental floss.

[jdm2857]

I would replace pillows and cushions as necessary and also have a full backup on hand for emergencies.

As for squeaky swivels, I've found that a drop of mineral oil works wonders. It won't hurt the plastic parts
of the swivel, and is viscous enough to not run out of the joint.

[MagsterMile]

I see that you use the Mirage Quattro FFM. So do I. I replaced mine at 6 months when the dial kept falling off and the swivel part that's attached to the hose kept on creaking. Didn't want to use WD40

When the swivil squeeks...just pull it off and clean it. Squeek stops. Also...it's a replaceable piece

Yes, I have taken the entire mask apart and cleaned it piece by piece. Put it back together and the squeaking continued. I stuck with the mask for the full six months and didn't see the need to order pieces of the mask when it could be replaced legitimately.