What's the Deal With "Pure Soap"

[MandoJohnny]

My ResMed S8 and Swift cleaning instructions say to use water and "pure soap," that is soap without frangrances, moisturizers, anti-bacterial chemicals, etc. I went to the drug store and they didn't seem to have anthing like that. I talked to the cosmetic lady, who pointed me at some face scrub, and the pharmacist, who directed me to a betadyne soap for cleaning hands before surgery. Everything else seems to have additives and chemicals.

I have been using dishwashing detergent, which seems to work well, but probably isn't optimal. Can anyone suggest a "pure soap" I can actually get at an average store?

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): resmed, swift

[Amigo]

If I'm remembering correctly, Ivory Snow is supposed to be "pure soap" with no additives.

[chdurie2]

ivory bar soap is 94% pure soap, which is about as close as you'll get these days without going to a lot of expense and trouble. course, i bought a 4-bar pack when i started cpap for real, and i haven't used it yet.

caroline

[Moogy]

Yes, the manufacturers could do us all a big favor by telling us WHAT kind of soap they recommend! As I see it, there are two issues with what kind of soap you use.

Soaps with lotions can give you a bad seal, resulting in leaks.

Soaps with "unknown properties" could, in theory at least, shorten the life of the mask.

I finally gave up on figuring out which product is "pure soap" and now I try for the product that gives me the best seal. If it shortens the life of the product, so be it.

Moogy

[bdp522]

Ivory soap is 99 44/100% pure soap. It rinses away with no residue. Recommended by the RT and a pharmasist.

Brenda

[Goofproof]

And, it floats, in case you wash your mask at the Beach! Jim

[tooly125]

I fill the sink with water and squirt what ever liquid hand soap my wife has bought(changes every week) make some suds and proceed to wash my equipment.
I haven't noticed any problems.

[droyal]

Hello,

Real soap is made from fats, that are made into soap by being combined with potassium, which was historically derived from burning of vegetable material. People saved animal and vegetable oil and made their own soap. Real soap is relatively mild, which is probably why it is recommended for cleaning the cpap gear.

In addition to Ivory Soap, Castile soaps (soaps made from vegetable oils, not animal fats) are generally available real soaps, though they are usually made as a cosmetic soap, with additives.

Today, most "soaps" are actually detergents, synthetic chemicals that loosen dirt. I assume that the cpap makers are concerned about using them, because there are many kinds of detergents and no way to know which might be used, with what affect.

[chdurie2]

yes, i knew there was a 9 and a 4 in the ivory bar composition. i just missed the other 9--thanks for the correction!

caroline

[GoofyUT]

I use pure Castile soap for cleaning my masks, head-gear and reservoirs. Works liek a charma nd is so gentle that there's virtually no risk that its gonna degrade the material. My RT recommended it, and I think that ResMed mentions it somewhere too.

I use Dr. Bronner's Miracle Pure Castile Soap, for the brand. Its available in bottles or in bulk from any WildOats and many Krogers/Smiths. Its cheap, mild, effective and safe. And reading the label is an absolute HOOT that is NOT to be missed.

Hope this helps.

Chuck

[Vader]

I have been using dishwashing detergent, which seems to work well, but probably isn't optimal. Can anyone suggest a "pure soap" I can actually get at an average store

I have been using Palmolive dish soap, and haven't had any problems. My main concern in buying it was that It didn't contain detergent, and that it was just "soap".
Detergents could cause some problems because it may break down the materials. Most hand soaps don't contain a detergent, but if I recall correctly, you shouldn't use an antibacterial one, although I don't know why.

[droyal]

Hello,

Almost all "soaps" are actually detergents. The fact that the product is labeled a "soap" does not mean it is actually soap. As I mentioned earlier, if you are concerned and want to follow a manufacturers instuction to use actual soap, you have to read the product labels.

GoofyUT - you are certainly right about the labels on Dr. Bronners. They are wonderful! And, thanks for the info on his soaps. I knew they were real soap, but the ones I have purchased (for bathing) had various herbs added. Thanks for the info that he has one that is just pure Castile soap (real soap, made from vegetable oil, not animal fat, though both result in real soaps).

David

[Guest]

Vader, if you are trying to avoid detergents, I am sorry to tell you that I pretty certain that Palmolive is not actually a soap. I am holding a bottle of -- of all things -- Ivory "hand soa". But, the label just lists detergents, no real soap.

So, anyone who is concerned about using real soap should read the labels . . . there shd not be listings of synthetic chemicals, if you are looking for a pure soap.

David

[Snoozin' Bluezzz]

With a tip from someone on this board I kept my eye out for Seventh Generation products and found them at my local grocery store. Their "Natural Dish Liquid" is pretty perfect from my point of view. Totally - "free and clear of perfumes and dyes", and completely scentless. It seems to work quite well.

It says "Ingredients: A unique (sic) combination of naturally derived cleaning agents (coconut-based srfactants),, Preservative (less than 0.05%), Water."

Now the chemists and scientific types out there can tell us more perhaps. I like it because there is no scent.

I tend to rely on my daily spritz with vinegar most but a I have used this twice for a thorough cleaning.

David

BTW - At my local Jewel it is in the Specialty area with health foods, natural cleaning agents etc.

[kurtchan]

I concur with Snoozin'. In fact, it may have been one of my early posts about Seventh Generation to which he is referring.

I use the SG dish washing soap to clean my humidifier resevoire and mask parts daily. It has none of the additives to which the CPAP manufacturers object and does a great job for minimal cost.

Kurtchan