Cleaning Mirage full face mask

[imperfectspouse]

Hello! I just purchased a Mirage full face mask for my husband (he usually uses the Swift nasal pillows) and looked at the daily cleaning recommendations that come from the company. You are supposed to disassemble the entire mask (about 40 pieces, some small enough to slip down your drain[so I use a dishpan]!) and wash it in unscented Dove soap every day! That's a tall order! I am wondering if other Mirage users follow this quite rigorous routine every day. Please let me know, my dishpan hands are grateful! javascript:emoticon(':?')

[SelfSeeker]

I have no idea about the cleaning, but I have some questions.

In your post you said, you bought a full ae mask for your husband and that he usally wears the swift.

Interfaces (masks/pillows etc) are a personal thing and hard to find one for an individual face.

Did your husband try it on, does it fit him well?

Hello! I just purchased a Mirage full face mask for my husband (he usually uses the Swift nasal pillows) and looked at the daily cleaning recommendations that come from the company. You are supposed to disassemble the entire mask (about 40 pieces, some small enough to slip down your drain[so I use a dishpan]!) and wash it in unscented Dove soap every day! That's a tall order! I am wondering if other Mirage users follow this quite rigorous routine every day. Please let me know, my dishpan hands are grateful! javascript:emoticon(':?')

[cflame1]

you'll probably find that a lot of people don't wash them as frequently as the directions tell them to. I find with mine, unless it looks like it needs more, I'll just spritz it with a bottle that contains a mixture of castile soap and water... rinse well and let dry.

[curtcurt46]

I used the same mask for a year until I got my nose fixed. I washed the whole mask weekly and washed the mask pad daily to remove the face oils. I don't believe I had any problems not washing the whole mask daily.I used unscented Ivory bar soap. Good luck and you will become a wiz at taking it apart and putting back together.

[Vader]

I wash my Activa once a week in Seventh Generation brand dish soap. I really like that soap, because there's no scent, or dye, etc.
I disassemble the Activa completely and let it dry on a towel away from sunlight.

As for the UMFF, There's NO WAY I'm taking that thing apart!

However, when I do use it , I wash it daily.

[cwsanfor]

Whatever mask I'm using, I generally wash in a dedicated stainless steel bowl after each use, using warm water and Neutrogena. I do as little disassembly as possible, so as not to introduce leaks. Once a week I sterilize the whole circuit (tube and mask) in a solution of 1/3 vinegar and water. I will take nasal pillows out of their fitting, but that's it for disassembly. I air dry the stuff on a 100% cotton towel.

[greyhound]

Although I don't use my UMFF very often, I clean it with Ivory dishwashing liquid. I separate the plastic clip, the silicon, and the small exhaust part. The rest of the unit I always left together.

[Snoredog]

best thing to do is throw the cleaning instructions away that came with the mask from manufacturer. Do you really thing Resmed has your best interest at heart and will tell you how to clean your mask so it lasts longer??

but the best way I found to clean them is: DO NOT remove the cushion from the frame, that only prematurely wears out the cushion and can subject the cushion to tears. Leave the cushion on the frame and clean it in one piece.

I've used Dawn Citrus antibacterial liquid hand soap for years to clean my masks. Dawn is well known for breaking down grease and oils. It doesn't seem to harm silicone cushions at all.


1. Run very hot tap water in clean sink or pan, give it a squirt of Dawn.
2. Remove the bottom headgear clips on the mask.
3. Push the forehead pivot release button in the center, rotate the forehead piece completely off the mask (headgear stays attached to forehead piece).
4. Take the mask completely assembled and give it the bar-glass cleaning agitation action for 30-seconds or so, use your fingers to clean the cushion all the way around.
5. Drain sink and rinse the soap off the mask, leave on a clean towel to dry (I just shake it and use it).

I got 2 years use out of my UMFF and I still use it when traveling. Follow the mfg's instructions and you'll be replacing it every 3 months.

[imperfectspouse]

Thank you for all your great advice! I think what I'll take away from this is to relax and use a little common sense with the cleaning regime. If you all have been cleaning your UMFF without taking the whole thing apart and it has lasted 2 years! That seems pretty good to me.

SelfSeeker, Thanks for your questions. Yes, we used the measuring instructions on CPAP.COMs website (boy did we ever laugh about that!), but as of yet he is not convinced of the fit (he only tried it for one night). I think he'll give it another try soon. I bought the UMFF to help in case he got a head cold and had to breath through his mouth.