What's the Deal With "Pure Soap"

[Amigo]

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.

I, too, have been using Palmolive for almost three years now, and I still have my original hose, humidifier and nasal pillows which show absolutely no signs of deterioration.

[Vader]

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.

I haven't had any problems with the Palmolive "soap", but you're probably right about it.
Years ago, I used a pure castile soap called 'Dr. Bronners Magic Soap'. I used to use it for my kids, who at the time, had some allergies to certain soaps. It was indeed a "pure soap", but unfortunately it is very difficult to find in the remote area I now live in the WNC Mountains. However, I did place an order for some online today. It has gotten to be a bit expensive these days, but I suppose it's worth it in the long run.
Besides, a 32 oz. bottle should last a real long time.

[droyal]

Hi Vader, and all,

Wow, Dr. Bronner's -- I have not owned any of that since my hippy days. Well, I guess I will go back in time and start using it! Thanks to Goofy and you for reminding me.

BTW, I suspect you and the others are right. If something works for months or years on your hoses and masks, I can't imagine why it would be bad. Now, inside the machine in another thing, but we arn't washing that, anyway.

David

[birdshell]

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?

The information about using the dish soap with additives does not contain enough detail about what, exactly, was hurt by the antibacterial or other additives in the dish detergent.

My RT recommended using dish soap, and since I am sensitive to fragrances, unscented Ivory dish soap was already in my bathroom (diluted for hand washing in a pump.)

In my Swift manual ResMed specifically recommended Dove as a mild soap to be used for cleaning, while saying no additives. I e-mailed them to point out that Dove is not only 1/4 moisturizer, but the "unscented" contains masking fragrance. Only the "sensitive skin" version is actually unscented and still has the moisturizer. They have not e-mailed me back... and I do not have the Swift anymore.

There are several threads on cleaning regimes and methods that have the different soaps given as an example. It may be of interest to read through them.

In addition, I got a sample of a spray in a can for cleaning. One sprays it onto the mask/interface part that touches the skin, rubs a little, rinses in warm water, and allows to air dry. For my CL 2 interface, it is great when traveling.

[droyal]

Hi Birdshell,

The regular Ivory bar soap you are using is real soap -- it is not a detergent. By "real soap" I mean the traditional definition of that word, a product that loosens dirt, make from animal or vegetable fats and burnt organic material, like vegetation or wood. Not too long ago, people kept fat drippings, then mixed them with potash or other ashes, and made soap.

From Wikipedia: "Soap is derived from either oils or fats . . . Soap made entirely from vegetable oils, or nearly so, is called castile soap. The use of the word "soap" has become such a household name that even cleaning solutions for the body that don't have soap in the ingredients are referred to as soap."

These non-soap cleaners are called "detergents." The problem is that they are sometimes called soaps!!

That is a problem we are having in this discussion. When an equipment make says "use pure soap", they presumably mean to use real soap, not detergents, and to use soap that has not additives, like anti-microbials.

On the other hand, the group has done well, on its own, figuring out what works.

David

[Patrick A]

"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 "



Chuck you hit it on the nail head. I have been in this company's factory in Escondido Ca. Most of the people that work thewre are a hoot also.
Use Dr. Bronner's soap it's avalable in most health food stores in Ca,

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

[babamamagogodede]

I was worried about pure soap but I am not now ~
It is Resmed who tells you not to use any product other then Resmed-made
CPAP is a very simple machine that we need not pay too much attention to care it!
The reason we care it too much is it's high expense...It is not reasonable
It is all okay to use any filter ( such as 3M filter for air conditioner),but not the filter that fit a specific machine. It is all okay to use any soap and any detergent for dishwash. Do not worry about it. CPAP mask could tolerate 3% formaldehyde for more than 10 times So...any detergent that you can buy OTC will be all okay. Moreover, do not worry about electricity off...It is a very rare condition. Once it happened, you can take your CPAP system to a nearly hotel. It costs not much. You need not worry about motor break down. It is very easy to renew one. It costs less than 10 USD.........
Do you worry about Resmed bankrupt....???
Do not worry~~~Just enjoy your CPAP but not be a slave of your CPAP
Your RT and the seller of soap care their mony more than your CPAP.
So dose Resmed~~ Haha!!

[tealslip]

Using any sort of dishwashing liquid is absolutely horrible!! it wears down the silicone of the cushion, and will often times make the cushion turn a yellow color. If you can find ivory or dove, they'll work but one of the easiest things to find is baby shampoo!! also, the dishwashing liquid will make the smaller membranes on the inside of the elbow stick to the walls (if you don't take the mask all the way apart) which creates that squeaking noise

[NyNurse33]

Well I went out and bought Johnsons and Johnsons baby shampoo, b/c I read that somewhere on here...I hope that is ok. One of my manuals for one piece of equipment (not sure which one) said to use Dove soap. So I was doing that until I realized that Dove is just really a moisturizing bar...what gives?

[Gidgie]

What with concerns about the silicon seal and my sensitive skin, I use vinegar to clean my mask...........occasionaly I'll use some very good homemade soap which a friend makes for me........totally free of perfumes and other additives. I also use this soap for my headgear and padacheek strap covers. No residues, no scent, no irritation........that's the soap!

[Offerocker]

Here's another: Kirk's "Original Coca" Castile bar. (since 1839 yet)
"All Natural, hypoallergenic, No anomal by-products or synthetic detergents"
I use it in the shower, and it's the only thing lately that seems to be hard-milled, and the lather lasts all the way through the bar. I order 10 bars at a time from the drug store, and it's great on my feathers too.

As far as yellowing of the mask material, I would think that body oil is as responsible for that as a 'detergent', imho.

[Goofproof]

That's my favorite soap, Great for hard water. I remember many years ago my aunt out on the farm, would save the scraps of it and melt them in a pan and recast it, that was when recycling really took place you didn't do it to be politically correct, you did it to get by. Jim

[tmaiberger]

Which Dr Bronner's soap? Their website has a large assortment.

[Patrick A]

I use the plain one. But I have used the Almond Scent one , I also use the Tea Tree soap.
Enjoy.

[droyal]

For whoever cares about this subject. I just got the word back from Proctor and Gamble that their Ivory soap, in bar form, is the last product they have that is real soap.

"Ivory Snow" (their product in flake form) used to be soap, but it is now a detergent.

All Ivory products, except their Ivory soap bar, are detergents.

David