2 questions about the Quattro FX mask...

[WestCoastCdnGrl]

1) is it possible/feasible to clean this mask without completely disassembling it? The reason why I ask is that the spring frame and the elbow assembly look and feel a little too fragile to subject to daily snapping in/snapping out... I am afraid that they might snap in my hands, and CAD 175$ is a little steep to be paying for a brand new mask... my old school Quattro mask was washed in this fashion (i.e. completely assembled), so I don't see why the Quattro FX can't be cleaned as well. I am completely comfortable with removing the sleeves off the springframe and removing the cushion from the mask.

Failing this, does anyone know if there is anywhere on the net where replacement spring frames are available, and if so, could you please tell me where? I think it would be worth it to me to have an extra spring frame and elbow assembly on hand, and even with shipping, it's usually cheaper for me to purchase in the U.S.A. and have shipped to Vancouver.

2) does anyone know if the headgear for this mask can be replicated at home? I have Advanced Intermediate sewing skills (i.e. I can successfully make clothing from a commercial pattern and use a sewing machine to do it) and I was thinking that with some tracing paper and an appropriate weight fabric, I could make my own headgear in a more feminine colour than the blue that ResMed currently uses... I love the colour blue, but I would like to know that I have options available to me.

I've seen headgear in different colours for my old Quattro mask, but have yet to find anything online for my brand new (today) Quattro FX, and since I have a few days off coming up, I thought I could make my own.

I thank you again in advance for any and all thoughts, suggestions, and help you can offer!


Edited to correct final price I paid vs. what RT initially told me

[Bobby269]

I take mine apart each Saturday to give it a complete wash. This has been going on for over 3 months. It hasn't hurt the mask at least in my case it hasn't.
There is no reason that you can't make your own straps or at least some thing to cover the straps.Take a look at padacheek.com it has many different color
covers for your straps.

[WestCoastCdnGrl]

Once a week full washing sounds reasonable enough, Bobby... I am willing to do that, but am loath to take the mask apart for daily cleaning (I find I can go 2-3 nights between cleanings before facial oil induced mask farts start to annoy me and keep me awake at night)... other than removing the cushion and perhaps the headgear for daily cleaning, it doesn't make sense to me to dismantle the mask unless completely warranted (i.e. if I have a cold or the flu, I would make the effort to clean the entire unit from humidifier to mask in warm soapy water every morning for as long as I am sick), weekly full washing is a do-able compromise.

Hadn't thought of Pad-A-Cheek (I have an extra long anti-leak strap that Karen was kind enough to make for my cranially endowed head) and will have a look to see what she has available... in the meantime, I may have a look at my local fabric shop to see what I can find along the lines of a light weight neoprene.

[JohnBFisher]

In addition to the suggestion of the mask liner (from REMzzzs or Pad-A-Cheek), you might also want to look at mask wipes:

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-comfort-clean ... eaning.php

[Vader]

I just got my Quattro FX today, and I was wondering the same thing.
That looks like way too much "work" to take apart every night. I just submerged the whole mask in some soapy water (like I did with my Mirage Quattro) to wash off any residue before first use. I don't see why that can't be done as part of daily routine.
I guess if all fails, I could always resort to reading the manual!
I like the fit and feel of this mask,(so far) and got the same size as I used in the Mirage Quattro.

[Otter]

I've had mine about 10 weeks, and I've only taken it apart to clean it once. I use mask wipes on the cushion every day, and occasionally reach in to clean the inside of the mask. I rarely even bother to take the cushion out.

Here's one site that sells the spring frame. It's ridiculously expensive for what it is, but it beats buying a whole new mask.
http://www.cpapusa.com/search/ResMed-Qu ... T2789.html

Cpap.com sells the other parts. The elbow is $15
https://www.cpap.com/productpage-replac ... dgear.html

I was initially concerned about popping the elbow in and out, but though I don't need to do that for cleaning, I sometimes remove the elbow swivel just to avoid taking the mask off if I have to get up. I haven't had any problems and I've stopped worrying about it.

If you want to make your own headgear, something you need to take into account is the elasticity of the original material. I'm not actually sure that's something you want to match, though. It's occurred to me that it might be better to use something that doesn't stretch , perhaps leather, and sew a piece of elastic over that to take up the slack. That way, you'd get some pressure, but there would be a clear limit to how far out the mask could go. It seems to me that having both an inflatable cushion and neoprene headgear might be counterproductive. OTOH, perhaps leather would require unworkably precise adjustment.

[WestCoastCdnGrl]

I've had mine about 10 weeks, and I've only taken it apart to clean it once. I use mask wipes on the cushion every day, and occasionally reach in to clean the inside of the mask. I rarely even bother to take the cushion out.

Here's one site that sells the spring frame. It's ridiculously expensive for what it is, but it beats buying a whole new mask.
http://www.cpapusa.com/search/ResMed-Qu ... T2789.html

Cpap.com sells the other parts. The elbow is $15
https://www.cpap.com/productpage-replac ... dgear.html

I was initially concerned about popping the elbow in and out, but though I don't need to do that for cleaning, I sometimes remove the elbow swivel just to avoid taking the mask off if I have to get up. I haven't had any problems and I've stopped worrying about it.

If you want to make your own headgear, something you need to take into account is the elasticity of the original material. I'm not actually sure that's something you want to match, though. It's occurred to me that it might be better to use something that doesn't stretch , perhaps leather, and sew a piece of elastic over that to take up the slack. That way, you'd get some pressure, but there would be a clear limit to how far out the mask could go. It seems to me that having both an inflatable cushion and neoprene headgear might be counterproductive. OTOH, perhaps leather would require unworkably precise adjustment.

Thank you, Otter, for those links....

CPAPUSA's shipping rate to Canada is exorbident, especially since I live within 20 minutes drive from Washington State and have access to a few mail forwarding companies just south of the border.

Yes, the spring frame is expensive, but considering I'm saving CAD 30$ if I order the ResMed Climateline hose from them (as opposed to getting it from a DME here in town), it's not so outrageously priced.

[Knightmare]

I've had my Quattro FX for about 10 weeks now, and I can at least answer the first question. I wash my mask every day, just like I did with my old Mirage Quattro. Here's what I do:

Daily Cleaning I do every morning:
-Disconnect spring frame and straps (don't wash)
-Remove cushion from frame. Note: Make sure to pull the cushion from the sides where it is thickest. Do not pull from the tab near the top of the nose. It is too thin there and I've already had one cushion tear right near that tab.
-Wash cushion and frame(still assembled minus the spring frame) in sink full of warm water and soap
-Rinse and let dry, reassemble at night before bed

Once a week I do a more through cleaning which involves:
-Complete dis-assembly of frame into individual pieces. However, I do leave the straps still connected to spring frame.
-Wash all frame parts sink full of warm water and soap. I wash the spring frame with the straps still attached because I don't want to lose my current fit which is working so well.
-Dry all parts and reassemble at night before bed

So far no problems with any parts breaking besides the cushion ripping near the nose tab. I did have the extra security of having an extra QFX since my first one's cushion tore after only 2 weeks. My DME considered it a defective mask and sent me another without having me return the previous one.

Hope this helps.