Mask Wipes?

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
irishpeacock
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Mask Wipes?

Post by irishpeacock » Tue Oct 07, 2008 1:23 pm

I've been using Citrus II Mask Wipes to clean my mask every morning, but was wondering if there was an alternative to this product without resorting to washing my mask everyday. Would using baby wipes work? Is there anything I can use that I could normally get at the supermarket or drugstore?
Last edited by irishpeacock on Wed Oct 08, 2008 11:42 am, edited 1 time in total.

irishpeacock
Posts: 36
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Location: Scotland

Re: Mask Wipes?

Post by irishpeacock » Wed Oct 08, 2008 11:42 am

Someone? Anyone?

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tomjax
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Re: Mask Wipes?

Post by tomjax » Wed Oct 08, 2008 11:45 am

One option is to use nothing at all.

I clean mine about every 6 months or when bugs start crawling out of the pillows.

WhiteBeard
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Re: Mask Wipes?

Post by WhiteBeard » Wed Oct 08, 2008 11:51 am

I also use them on my mask but I use them them at night shortly before going to bed. I have never thought about using any thing else, I don't know if the other type of wipes would hurt or damage the seal material of the mask. Good question as the Citrus II wipes are rather expensive!
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Babette
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Re: Mask Wipes?

Post by Babette » Wed Oct 08, 2008 11:55 am

For once, I agree with TomJax.

Unless you find you have to clean your mask daily in order to ensure a good seal, why bother?

Another thought I've had lately - all that Citrus Cleaner (or baby wipes, or whatever wipe you're using) is rubbing off on your mask. Then you're donning that mask, and grinding those chemicals into your facial skin.

Really doesn't sound like a great idea to me.

Me, I try to wash my mask once a week. But it's very forgiving if I slack off on that. And I don't use wipes at all.

Cheers,
Barbara

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Machine: PR System One REMStar 60 Series Auto CPAP Machine
Additional Comments: Started XPAP 04/20/07. APAP currently wide open 10-20. Consistent AHI 2.1. No flex. HH 3. Deluxe Chinstrap.
I currently have a stash of Nasal Aire II cannulas in Small or Extra Small. Please PM me if you would like them. I'm interested in bartering for something strange and wonderful that I don't currently own. Or a Large size NAII cannula. :)

irishpeacock
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Location: Scotland

Re: Mask Wipes?

Post by irishpeacock » Wed Oct 08, 2008 12:25 pm

I have oily skin so need to clean the mask everyday or I can't get a decent seal. Bring on the chemicals. It's just difficult getting the mask wipes in the UK. I originally bought them in the states, but now I'm running low so I'm trying to find an alternative.

Niteair
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Re: Mask Wipes?

Post by Niteair » Wed Oct 08, 2008 12:45 pm

I wash mine weekly, and remove any skin oil nightly with a kleenex and rubbing alcohol. Have been doing this for almost a year now, and the mask still looks and seals like new. (Activa mask)

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Babette
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Re: Mask Wipes?

Post by Babette » Wed Oct 08, 2008 12:46 pm

I've heard people say they use Baby Wipes, but I'd look for some without any oils in them, as the oils will degrade the silicone. You might look for hand wipes.

Another idea - take the mask with you into the shower in the morning - wash it with shampoo or face soap (or a special bottle of mask cleaning soap that you like), and then hang it to dry in the shower. I used to do this in my early days, before I got my current mask. I even bought a handly little net thing that is meant to hold toys - like for kids who bathe with toys? It suctions to the wall and has little pockets that hold various items.

I use it now to dry my Sinus Rinse bottle.

Cheers,
Babs

_________________
Machine: PR System One REMStar 60 Series Auto CPAP Machine
Additional Comments: Started XPAP 04/20/07. APAP currently wide open 10-20. Consistent AHI 2.1. No flex. HH 3. Deluxe Chinstrap.
I currently have a stash of Nasal Aire II cannulas in Small or Extra Small. Please PM me if you would like them. I'm interested in bartering for something strange and wonderful that I don't currently own. Or a Large size NAII cannula. :)

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Paul56
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Re: Mask Wipes?

Post by Paul56 » Wed Oct 08, 2008 12:57 pm

Using Ivory soap, warm water, stainless steel bowl... it takes me 2 minutes to wash the face cushion and forehead pad each day. There are some days I miss but generally when I can feel an oily film on the face cushion it gets washed... which is usually every day. Just part of the ritual.

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Babette
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Re: Mask Wipes?

Post by Babette » Wed Oct 08, 2008 1:00 pm

I'm a big fan of Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Soap (the liquid - not the bar). It washes completely away without leaving any film behind, and leaves a nice smell of peppermint to the mask. I get it at Trader Joe's, but you can find it at most natural food markets, and sometimes at Walgreen's.

Cheers,
B.

_________________
Machine: PR System One REMStar 60 Series Auto CPAP Machine
Additional Comments: Started XPAP 04/20/07. APAP currently wide open 10-20. Consistent AHI 2.1. No flex. HH 3. Deluxe Chinstrap.
I currently have a stash of Nasal Aire II cannulas in Small or Extra Small. Please PM me if you would like them. I'm interested in bartering for something strange and wonderful that I don't currently own. Or a Large size NAII cannula. :)

Deneb
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Re: Mask Wipes?

Post by Deneb » Wed Oct 08, 2008 1:15 pm

I like the Citrus II wipes, and they have what appears to be a very non-toxic and simple bunch of ingredients. One thing I do to save wipes is rotate between a couple of sets of pillows, and then use one wipe to wipe them all off once they're all used. This works fine because the wipes are huge if you're just cleaning pillows and not a full mask. I don't seem to have much of a problem with leaks with my pillows, but I like not having them be oily and dirty when I put them on.

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Snoredog
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Re: Mask Wipes?

Post by Snoredog » Wed Oct 08, 2008 1:21 pm

what about Witch Hazel (think she works for Resmed) and a Swisser pad?

it is an astringent with a little alcohol, should hurt anything. But I use Dawn citrus antibacterial liquid hand soap to clean my masks, been using it for years haven't seen a single cushion fall apart from using it, and I'm a tight wad, I get at least a year out of a mask.
someday science will catch up to what I'm saying...

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carbonman
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Re: Mask Wipes?

Post by carbonman » Wed Oct 08, 2008 1:55 pm

I rinse my mask every am w/warm tap water.
Shake it off and let it dry on the towel rack.
I have some citrus wipes.
I can take them or leave them.
I wipe down my mask every couple of days with one.
To stretch them out abit, as I pull them out of the
container, I just cut off about 1". That is all you really need.

........I'm not cheap ....I'm less expensive.
"If your therapy is improving your health but you're not doing anything
to see or feel those changes, you'll never know what you're capable of."
I said that.

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Babette
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Re: Mask Wipes?

Post by Babette » Wed Oct 08, 2008 1:59 pm

I'd pay $20 for you, Carbonman!
B.

_________________
Machine: PR System One REMStar 60 Series Auto CPAP Machine
Additional Comments: Started XPAP 04/20/07. APAP currently wide open 10-20. Consistent AHI 2.1. No flex. HH 3. Deluxe Chinstrap.
I currently have a stash of Nasal Aire II cannulas in Small or Extra Small. Please PM me if you would like them. I'm interested in bartering for something strange and wonderful that I don't currently own. Or a Large size NAII cannula. :)

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ReginaJ
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Re: Mask Wipes?

Post by ReginaJ » Wed Oct 08, 2008 3:48 pm

I have been using a spray from the company LUSH to clean my mask. It is called Tea Tree Water. It is very mild and is an astringent, so it gets the oil off. I don't use it every day though, I only do it about once a week.

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