Questions about cleaning my mask

[RevnJeff]

I am currently using a Mirage Quattro full face mask. I know that I am supposed to clean the seal area every day.

Now, I have some questions about cleaning.
1) I've read that I shouldn't use dish detergent like Dawn because it can break down the silcone. 1 a)I've read that people swear by using Dawn.
2) I've read that I shouldn't use soaps with mosturizers in them. 2a) I've read people use them all the time.
3) I've read that I shouldn't use soaps with perfumes. 3a) I' ve read where some people prefer the scented soaps.

Right now I am using plain old baby shampoo to wash the mask every week. What I am wondering is if baby wipes wouldn't be ok to use for daily cleaning. I have noticed facial oil buildup on the seal...it gets slimy. I really can't afford the "CPAP Wipes" that I see advertised. We've got lots of baby wipes, which we use for other facial and body cleanup.

The RT at the DME told me "Don't use anything other than Dove soap, not even baby shampoo." Help. I am so confused

Jeff

[Wulfman]

Well, if Dawn breaks down the silicone.....I haven't noticed it. I've gotten 3 1/2 years out of my original mask/seal/headgear with "occasional" washing/cleaning it. I rinse and towel dry my face every night before bed and wipe the palm of my hand across the seal before I put it on.
And, I've never worried about the "CPAP Police" making sure that I cleaned it every day.....I've got better things to do with my time.

Den

[CorgiGirl]

My husband has been using an UMFF for almost 5 years and, until I got a CPAP at the end of August and got "instructed" he NEVER cleaned his mask or hose. He just changed them every 6 months when Lincare sent him new ones.... He didn't have a data-capable machine until this past September, so I don't know if it affected his therapy or not. I do know that if I don't clean my mask every day that I get more leaks at night and it affects my AHI.

My DME did not tell me what to use, just not to use anti-bacterial or perfumed things. I use the Citrus II mask wipes to clean our masks, but I don't use a whole wipe each time. Someone (Carbonman, maybe?) posted a while back that he cuts a small section off and uses that. I usually get three or four sections out of each wipe which makes it much more economical, if that helps....

[TonySanDiego]

Does anybody know why we cannot use antibacterial soap?

The other day I couldn't find any liquid hand soap that wasn't antibacterial.

So I bought it and am using it.

I wash my mask and hose thoroughly in a sink full of hot soapy water, then a full rinse with warm water.

Am I overdoing it? My incompetent Apria RT told me to do this, therefore I do as I am instructed. ( Right, but I do follow this instruction)

Thanks,

Tony

Edit: I also completely disassemble every part of the mask for cleaning. I wash the headgear once a week (as instructed).
Am I a obsessive nit?

[Wulfman]

Does anybody know why we cannot use antibacterial soap?

The other day I couldn't find any liquid hand soap that wasn't antibacterial.

So I bought it and am using it.

I wash my mask and hose thoroughly in a sink full of hot soapy water, then a full rinse with warm water.

Am I overdoing it? My incompetent Apria RT told me to do this, therefore I do as I am instructed. ( Right, but I do follow this instruction)

Thanks,

Tony

Edit: I also completely disassemble every part of the mask for cleaning. I wash the headgear once a week (as instructed).
Am I a obsessive nit?

It's "your call"......your therapy.
If you have nothing else to do......I guess it'll keep you busy filling in time......but, when you calculate how much time you spend cleaning things, it probably adds up.

Den

[Paul56]

I have the same mask. I remove the face cushion & forehead pad and wash those daily. I wash the rest of the mask maybe once every week or so. I do not disassemble the mask before washing. I use plain Ivory dish washing soap for cleaning the mask.

I also wash my face each evening before putting the mask on with liquid Dove soap.

All the washing helps achieve a better seal and thus hopefully preventing your leaks from getting out of hand.

[Reddwarf]

The DME told me to use Baby Wipes. It seems to be working so far and it's easy to do.

[OldLincoln]

Do the baby wipes leave conditioner or anything else behind?

[nightjar]

Since I've gone on BiPAP with a heated humidifier, I wash my mask and hose twice a week and my humidifier once a week. I use Ivory dish-washing soap and warm water. I've always taken the mask apart to wash it. The head gear I wash infrequently.

Sometimes I use Dove soap at night on my face, while other times I use plain water. And I sometimes wipe off the mask's seal with a plain paper towel.

Seems there are as many takes on mask care as there are masks. . . .

Nath

[Lord Darth Beavis]

I'm using Pampers' sensitive skin baby wipes. I do find the mask seals better whenI do a wipe-down before I put it on.