confused about vinegar

[KarenM]

I'm a newbie - in my third week and using the Quattro FX mask. I've looked for wipes that don't have aloe and am not having any luck and I'm totally confused about whether it is or is not ok to use vinegar to clean the mask or the humidifier or hose. I seem to see both - yes use in 1-3parts or yes use in 1-10 parts or no don't even think about using vinegar. Can someone advise?

Thanks,
this is a fabulous resource.

[wmcanally]

Im new too but have recieved some info on vinegar. I use baby wipes ( non alcohol) to clean the mask. The humidifier tank and hose i soak in vinegar water every week ( only had little over a week). I use 10:to 1 . Ten parts water one part vinegar. I let soak about 30 minutes. I flush very good with hot water. I then resoak in a mixture of mild soapy water ( Dawn clear) for another 30 minutes. I then flush very good with hot water and hang the hose in the shower to dry. At night i run the machine with the hose 5-10 min to remove any leftover water. My tank is also dishwater safe. My water reaches in my machine 180 degree so that sanitizes is too. Make sure your tank is safe to be put in the dishwater 1st. This works for me. I have a extra hose too. I can let the other dry a full day and then sanitize the other. Some people on here dont use vinegar. Some just use a mild soap or baby shampoo. Do not use bleach or any harsh cleaner. Distilled water in the tank works great. Leaves no disposit. Just remember you breath the air coming through the hose so i would use any thing other than vinegar or a mild soap. Just my advise. Again im new too. You may get other advise on here that differs from mine.

[Elle]

I worried that vinegar would corrode or rust the filaments in a heated hose...but I am scientifically challenged so probably wrong.

I clean my mask cushion daily (2 days max), clean the rest of the mask once in a while (I have a few sets of head gear and throw the blue elasticy things that wrap around head in one of those mesh lingerie bags and toss a few in the washer).
I have cleaned hoses once in 5 years.
I refill my humidifier on occasion if I catch it totally empty...otherwise I top it up with distilled water (usually every other day). My humidifier tank looks new after 5 years and I credit the distilled water.

I am surprised at the energy level of people here who spend so much time cleaning and coming up with contraptions to make the experience perfect. I would like to blame OSA fatigue for my unwillingness to put that much effort into it but truthfully I am just lazy.....My cpap experience goes well though so I guess there is no need to tweak.

[ThirdOutOfFive]

White vinegar is both a way to remove gunk (scientific term) that can build up in your humidifier if you use tap water, and a mild disinfectant that will help sanitize your equipment. I use it as a soak with hot water-- probably use about a 10:1 mix and let soak for an hour. I put the humidifier tank, mask (without straps) and hose in the soak. Working so far on the equip I got in August. . . .

[RachelM]

I have a PR System One Auto w/humidifier. The bottom of the humidifier container is some kind of metal, looks like aluminum but may be something else.
Wouldn't the vinegar react with the metal and discolor it?

[chunkyfrog]

Parents Choice at Wally World or Up and Up at Target unscented baby wipes.
The name brand stuff will work, too--if you want to spend a little more.
I look for unscented and alcohol-free.

[Bobby269]

I use vinegar only on the S9 water chamber. This is the reason why: http://www.resmed.com/us/service_and_su ... c=patients

[wmcanally]

My tank is dishwasher safe. So i know its being sanitized in there. After reading the other post im not sure ill be using Vinegar to clean the hose . Ive read other posts that other people use it to aid in cleaning the hose and mask. Kinda confused

[RachelM]

After using vinegar, how do you get rid of smell?

[LSAT]

After using vinegar, how do you get rid of smell?

That's one of the problems...don't use vinegar just rinse with hot water 'occasionally'.

[ameriken]

I use vinegar only on the S9 water chamber. This is the reason why: http://www.resmed.com/us/service_and_su ... c=patients

Same here for that reaqson:

•Do not use solutions containing vinegar, bleach, chlorine, alcohol, aromatics, moisturizers, antibacterial agents or scented oils to clean any part of the system or air tubing. These solutions may cause damage and reduce the life of the product

I won't use vinegar for the mask or hose, I think it breaks down the silicone liners. Vinegar can be powerful stuff.

I only use it for the tank.

As for the smell, I haven't had a problem with any vinegar smell.

I use 2 parts water, 1 part vinegar to soak the tank for a few hours. Then I rinse it a few times with regular tap water, then I do 3 or 4 final rinses (to clear out the tap) with distilled.

Never had a problem with smell in the tank.

[archangle]

Do you use distilled water in the humidifier? I would recommend it if you're in the US, it makes cleaning a lot easier.

If you're in the US, ResMed probably sold you a disposable tank. Curse you, ResMed. Get the dishwashable tank that can be easily opened and cleaned. You might have to simply buy online out of pocket, but it's probably worth it. By the way, even the disposable tank can be opened with some difficulty. There's a video on youtube on how to open it.

I wash my mask and tank in the dishwasher every week. I have a spare of each and let the cleaned one sit dry for a week before swapping back to the machine. I hook the hose to the kitchen faucet and run hot water through it to clean. I dry it out on an old CPAP machine and let it sit dry for a week.

Be sure your mask can take dishwashing. I disassemble mine and wash it in the dishwasher. Do the two blue cloth looking parts on the top of your Quattro FX come apart from the mask for cleaning? I can't see from the picture whether they look like they'd be safe to dishwash.

Most insurance will cover a replacement cushion for your mask every month or so. I'd recommend getting a spare or two just on general principles, and you can rotate those in the cleaning process if you don't have a spare mask.

[M.D.Hosehead]

After using vinegar, how do you get rid of smell?

Just dream about Italian restaurants.