Newbie Mirage Quattro cleaning question

[napnean]

Well, nasal pillows did not work out for me, so now I'm trying the Mirage Quattro FFM. There is quite a difference between the cleaning instructions in the manual (disassemble all 13 parts for cleaning) and the instructions from my DME RT (remove and clean the cushion, and clean the rest in one piece). I couldn't find a lot on this subject in the older posts, so I'm hoping I can get a consensus on what people do "in real life". That disassembly looks daunting; I'm worried I'll break something. Thanks so much.

[Tigerlily]

I just picked up this mask today from my DME and cleaned it how she told me, which was the same as yours....3 pieces apart. Then I looked in the book and saw how to take it apart completely. I don't know if that is necessary, so I too want to hear what others with this mask do.

[Otter]

Well, nasal pillows did not work out for me, so now I'm trying the Mirage Quattro FFM. There is quite a difference between the cleaning instructions in the manual (disassemble all 13 parts for cleaning) and the instructions from my DME RT (remove and clean the cushion, and clean the rest in one piece). I couldn't find a lot on this subject in the older posts, so I'm hoping I can get a consensus on what people do "in real life". That disassembly looks daunting; I'm worried I'll break something. Thanks so much.

I have the Quattro FX rather than the Mirage Quattro, but I had similar concerns at first. The "spring clip" seemed so flimsy. And I was sure I'd eventually break the mask shell popping the swivel in and out. Nearly two years later, I don't worry about it. Do be careful, but your mask is probably a lot tougher than it looks.

In real life people most don't clean their masks as thoroughly or as often as the DMEs recommend. Experiment and see what seems right to you. The most important thing to clean is the cushion. When you clean the hard parts of the mask, I suspect you'll find it easier to disassemble them. Once you're more familiar with the mask and you've had some decent sleep, it won't seem so complicated. Oils from your hair will attack the headgear, so clean that occasionally too.

[napnean]

To be a bit more specific, on this mask the parts that worry me are: 1) the very small, flimsy silicon valve that has to be pulled out and later pushed back in, and 2) two places where hard plastic parts have to snap together -- it takes a lot of force, and getting a good purchase on those areas is challenging, which makes controlling the amount of force you use a bit iffy. Those parts might chip or crack, it seems.

[photodork]

i use the quattro and this is my procedure for cleaning.
i use very warm water with ultra palmolive dish soap and occasionally add some baking soda if i feel like it. i remove the silicon cushion and clip, silicon head rest and leave the other pieces attached. soak it all in the water. i also put a dab of soap in my palm and mash it around the cushion and headrest until clean. rinse completely. i let it sit on a paper towel until dry.
i used to be worried about breaking the mask clip, but it seems to be quite sturdy.

[Tigerlily]

Hi Photodork

I see you use the Mirage Quattro too. I am having a lot of trouble with it, primarily because of leaks! Any tips you may be able to share would be great.

[Janknitz]

I use a padachheek liner. I have two so when one is drying I have a lean one. As for washing the mask, only every few weeks. I haven't died yet.

[Wulfman...]

Well, nasal pillows did not work out for me, so now I'm trying the Mirage Quattro FFM. There is quite a difference between the cleaning instructions in the manual (disassemble all 13 parts for cleaning) and the instructions from my DME RT (remove and clean the cushion, and clean the rest in one piece). I couldn't find a lot on this subject in the older posts, so I'm hoping I can get a consensus on what people do "in real life". That disassembly looks daunting; I'm worried I'll break something. Thanks so much.

So don't take it apart. In eight years, I've never taken a mask apart to clean it (except the headgear which I put in the washing machine). I just use a plastic container (about a gallon size), squirt a little Dawn dishwashing liquid in it with hot water and let it soak for awhile. Then, rinse it once or twice with hot water and then let it soak in COLD water for awhile (seems to help restore the "spring" to the seal/cushion). Then, I shake out the excess water and towel dry with a flour sack dish towel.


Den

.

[Tigerlily]

I use a padachheek liner. I have two so when one is drying I have a lean one. As for washing the mask, only every few weeks. I haven't died yet.

I've been hearing quite a bit about these lately on here. I might need to try them.

[Denial Dave]

After you have been using the mask for a bit, you will develop your own cleaning process.

I've been using the quattro for just over 5 months now..

I've got 2 mask silicone cushions & 2 pad-a-cheek mask liners that are in rotation every 4 days....They get hand washed in hot soapy water & are left out to dry.

Once a week, I take the part that holds the little flap off and clean it in the same manner.

The rest of the mask & parts get cleaned with a wet wipe on a twice weekly basis.

The forehead part is constantly covered by pad-a-cheek cushion, so it never touches my face.

I've thought about permanently blocking the oxygen ports to get rid of that part. But I haven't gotten around to it yet.



Dave

[hyperlexis]

Honestly, if you want to clean it properly, just follow the manufacturer's instructions and the very easy to follow videos on ResMed's website. It's really not terribly difficult to do, although the biggest problem I feel Resmed has with all its masks is that they break down into multiple small separate parts, which, per the instructions, need to be disassembled and washed and dried. Daily.

I use dollar store baby shampoo as a 'pure' soap, which someone on here recommended long ago. For a tad faster cleaning I remove the silicone forehead cushion, unclip the lower headgear, and then undo the top adjustment knob to remove the mask shell from the top forehead support (which still has the top headgear velcroed on). I then wash the mask shell/face cushion/elbow + forehead cushion in the sink in hot soapy water, daily, and dry them on a towel. Occasionally, every few days, I will disassemble the entire thing and wash and dry each part separately.

The Amara is far, far simpler to clean, as is the Full Life, but each of those has other issues to deal with.

Alas the Quattro is a fantastic mask, but just somewhat more time consuming to clean.

[JamesW6175]

Daily I wipe down the mask with a baby wipe, inside and outside. Then monthly I boil the silicone part of the mask with baking soda. I have not had any problem with rainout or any dirt or anything growing in the mask, tube or humidity container.

[photodork]

Hi Photodork

I see you use the Mirage Quattro too. I am having a lot of trouble with it, primarily because of leaks! Any tips you may be able to share would be great.

tigerlily, im so sorry i havent responded to your post until today. my computer has been down and typing on my small tablet is not good. but now things are back to normal! again, my apologies.

im far from an expert on anything cpap, but i do know what has worked for me, and i like this mask.

in the 3+ years ive been using cpap, ive only ever had the quattro mask. i was originally fitted for the medium, but found it made the bridge of my nose sore and leaked into the eyes,
so i went to the large and have had it now for 3 years. the key to the quattro it seems is the tightness/looseness of the headgear in keeping the seal intact.

when new, i had it adjusted with little tightness so the double wall seals expand better, but now that it is 3 years old(mask and seal) i have to keep it adjusted much tighter and im getting red marks on my face, but little to no leaks.
adjusting the headgear was easier with the machine set to a fairly high pressure..like 15cms or more if required. if you can adjust it without leaking at a high pressure, it should be good for any lower pressures. my pressures range from 9-12 on an auto machine and i have very few leaks unless i displace the mask while moving my face.

i am also a side sleeper, so i take the edge of my pillow and fold it under itself making a ledge i can rest my cheek on and have the mask hang over the ledge. its cheaper than a $100 cpap pillow
keeping the seal clean seems to help also. it likes to be free of facial oils and seals better after being washed.

not that this applies to you, but if i go more than 4 days without shaving, the mask is not happy with me. i get alot of leaks around my mouth.. but others say it is a more forgiving mask for those men with beards and such. i havent found this to be true for me.

i just ordered a new one today!! woot!

if there is anything you would like to ask, feel free

[Tigerlily]

Thanks! And don't worry about the delay, I haven't been on in a couple of days myself...too busy!

I'll try adjusting it at a higher pressure like you suggested. Wish me luck - I need it!

[49er]

I rinse my quattro FX daily with hot water and that is all I do. If I took it apart, I fear I would never get it back together so I don't.

I swear when I have used liquid plain soap to clean it, I have more difficulties with leaks. But that could be my imagination:)

Anyway, I haven't died either

49er