How to clean Remstar Humidifier?

[Guest15]

i've got a respironics heated humidifier that's been sittin on my floor for some time. Time to use it again, but how do i clean it? I'm afraid it might have bacteria/mold in it.

I only used distilled water before if that matters. Its the humidifier that adds on to Remstar Auto.

[TerryB]

It's supposed to be dishwasher safe, run it through the dishwasher or wash it with the dishes and then wash it again with the milder stuff to be kind to your lungs.

TerryB

[Darth Vader Look]

The Respironics humidifier is two separate pieces. You should be able to pull the bottom off which will allow access to clean both parts. If you choose to go the dishwasher route use the top rack, not the bottom. I have never used the dishwasher for this purpose so I really can't tell much about that.

[Guest]

TOP rack of your dishwasher. Be careful taking it apart as the bottom can bend then be prone to leaking. Use a wooden spatula or something to pry it apart evenly.

When you put it back together put the bottom down on a very flat surface like a countertop then press the clear plastic tank back down over the bottom. The bottom has a rubber coating to prevent it from leaking, so don't remove that rubber film.

[tlc95066]

I don't think that the dishwasher is a good idea because of the heat. The heat could ruin the rubber coating on the bottom of the humidifier

You can wash it with some mild soap and soak it in a water and vinegar solution (1/3 to 2/3 mixture) to help clean off any deposits. I clean my humidifier bi-weekly using this method.

I use baby shampoo to clean all my equipment. It is mild an has the added benefit of smelling good.

Best,
Teri

[tomjax]

Elegant solutions for a non problem.
Your premise is that bacteria in the tank may be harmful.
This has been covered many times and the bottom line is that there is no problem, even if bacteria were in the tank.
Pathogens cannot leave the tank and be inhaled.
They cannot attach themselves to water vapor.

Intuitive, yes. Problem, no.

Dishwasher sounds good if you want to ease your mind.So is soapy water or vinegar.

[MichelleRae]

I personally have been using vinegar to clean the resevoir and baby shampoo for my mask. I was told not to put mine in the dishwasher.

[Guest]

Elegant solutions for a non problem.

Pathogens cannot leave the tank and be inhaled.
They cannot attach themselves to water vapor.

Intuitive, yes. Problem, no.

Dishwasher sounds good if you want to ease your mind.So is soapy water or vinegar.

Wonder how we catch the common cold and sundry sicknesses from an infected person sneezing?

[Moogy]

Elegant solutions for a non problem.

Pathogens cannot leave the tank and be inhaled.
They cannot attach themselves to water vapor.

Intuitive, yes. Problem, no.

Dishwasher sounds good if you want to ease your mind.So is soapy water or vinegar.

Wonder how we catch the common cold and sundry sicknesses from an infected person sneezing?

A person who sneezes expells actual droplets of goo, not vapor, so germs can go along for the ride.

However, I would NOT want to breathe air that passed over a moldy humidifier tank. Mold may not attach to the water vapor, but some kinds of mold spores certainly seem to free-float through the air. I live in the allergy capital of Texas (Austin), and I am allergic to mold, which is often blowing around in the air.

(Not a doctor, not a biologist, so maybe I am not describing this in the correct technical terms....)

Moogy