Failing to clean equipment

[Chloe2436]

I am so embarrassed to asked this question, but so be it...I have used a Bipap for many years and have rarely cleaned it, except for the occasional buying of new equipment. How damaging to the lungs can that be? I would appreciate feedback. Chloe2436

[chunkyfrog]

Some do a little, and some do a lot. Feel free to follow your own instincts.
Avoid any ozone device--it's a scam!
Your lungs are just fine.
More harm comes from too much/harsh cleaning than from very little.

[Wulfman...]

I am so embarrassed to asked this question, but so be it...I have used a Bipap for many years and have rarely cleaned it, except for the occasional buying of new equipment. How damaging to the lungs can that be? I would appreciate feedback. Chloe2436

Please define "rarely".
So, why don't you just clean your equipment now and then?
Would probably take less time than it did to sign up and write your post. But, welcome to the forum anyway.
I guess if you're not "sick", it hasn't been that bad for you.
If you're using a humidifier with your BiPAP, any germs, bacteria or viruses are too large to be carried out of the tank with the water vapor molecules.

Den

.

[palerider]

I am so embarrassed to asked this question, but so be it...I have used a Bipap for many years and have rarely cleaned it, except for the occasional buying of new equipment. How damaging to the lungs can that be? I would appreciate feedback. Chloe2436

Not.

[loggerhead12]

I am so embarrassed to asked this question, but so be it...I have used a Bipap for many years and have rarely cleaned it, except for the occasional buying of new equipment. How damaging to the lungs can that be? I would appreciate feedback. Chloe2436

If you've cleaned rarely, you've cleaned a lot more than I have.

[Tinben]

I am new to cpap. Haven’t even gotten a machine yet. But one thing I have learned in the many years of being in the heat and air business is to change filters once a month. Even if they are not visually dirty. We have typically requested folks to do this when they get their electric bill. I will probably wipe my mask and empty out humidifier chamber daily. Then clean everything depending on my OCD. A clean filter should keep the majority of contamination out. And I would think keep ones equipment working longer. Just my thoughts but their are people here with many many years experience.

[chunkyfrog]

Oh, yeah, the filter.
I use the fine filters because they help with my allergies--but dust accumulates quickly.
I change them every 3 weeks, because I can see the dirt then.

[zonker]

I am so embarrassed to asked this question, but so be it...I have used a Bipap for many years and have rarely cleaned it, except for the occasional buying of new equipment. How damaging to the lungs can that be? I would appreciate feedback. Chloe2436

If you've cleaned rarely, you've cleaned a lot more than I have.

[zonker]

I am new to cpap. Haven’t even gotten a machine yet. But one thing I have learned in the many years of being in the heat and air business is to change filters once a month. Even if they are not visually dirty. We have typically requested folks to do this when they get their electric bill. I will probably wipe my mask and empty out humidifier chamber daily. Then clean everything depending on my OCD. A clean filter should keep the majority of contamination out. And I would think keep ones equipment working longer. Just my thoughts but their are people here with many many years experience.

you aren't wrong. and thanks for the reminder that i need to check mine!

[zonker]

I am so embarrassed to asked this question, but so be it...I have used a Bipap for many years and have rarely cleaned it, except for the occasional buying of new equipment. How damaging to the lungs can that be? I would appreciate feedback. Chloe2436

no need for embarrassment. i don't think that any of the forum regulars are cleaning fanatics. most of us believe that going to the opposite extremes can be damaging, really.

filter has been mentioned. and not sure if chunkyfrog mentioned, but baby wipes are good for cleaning the mask. that is THE routine i stick to. i clean my nasal pillow mask each day with a baby wipe to insure no oily buildup. i really do think it's why i can keep my mask going with a good fit for years.

[palerider]

I am new to cpap. Haven’t even gotten a machine yet. But one thing I have learned in the many years of being in the heat and air business is to change filters once a month. Even if they are not visually dirty.

That's nice, but it's not totally applicable.

Change filters as the manufacturer recommends, different manufacturers use different size CPAP filters, and have different recommended replacement schedules.

Resmed, for instance is "Every six months or as needed based on conditions.

Some people need to change them more often than monthly, some people can't see any dust on them after 6 months, it just depends on the air in the room.

Respironics, which have a much smaller filter, says to replace/wash (depending on the filter) every 30 days.

Change things *when needed*, (including filters).

[chunkyfrog]

After 3 weeks, my aniti-allergen filters are slightly gray.
I figure they have done their job.

[cyberdreamer]

After 3 weeks, my aniti-allergen filters are slightly gray.
I figure they have done their job.

They do work. When I lived near a busy street with buses spewing black exhaust smoke all night, they would turn black after 2 weeks. Fortunately, where I am now, I need to compare it with an unused one to notice that they are slightly gray after 1 month.

[bwexler]

I guess I must be a clean freak.
I change my filter almost every month.
I change my mask every 6 or 8 months, usually when it starts leaking. (Sleepweaver 3D cloth mask)
I change my water tub every year or 2 unless it springs a leak. Have actually swished some water around in it a few time over the years.
I change my heated hose every year or 2. Never even thought about washing it.
I have change my machine about every 3 or 4 years so far. First time changing from APAP to ASV. Second time someone here offering a deal I couldn't refuse.
I do try alternative masks periodically, in search of the PERFECT mask.

Cleaning is kind of a foreign concept.

[Janknitz]

I'm one of those "failures". I almost never clean my equipment. Not dead yet. Not even sick.

And I cleaned a hose once. Never, ever again. Biggest waste of time ever. I don't see how introducing moisture into a dry hose that you can almost never get out again is a good idea.

I got 52 air filters for something like $12, so theoretically I could change it every week for a year. I change it when I remember, not often except during fire season when our air is filled with smoke.