Mask cleaning solution for leaks

[jaybeem]

The WISP stopped working for me. I was having leaks right where the inner cushions stop at the top of the nose, so the leaks were straight up into my eyes...the worst possible place for my bloodshot dry eyes.

I talked to my DME about the leaks, and he suggested soaking the mask in hot water, 10% vinegar, and dish soap for half an hour, then using wipes---but not baby wipes--on them after they had dried. Then use the wipes nightly, with an occasional soak. I tried it on the WISP and no leaks.

Then I had a night where I had nightmares about the WISP headgear grabbing my face like a giant hand. I had it too tight. So I cleaned the Swift FX pillows per instructions and wore them last night. No leaks or flutters.

I am not sure which mask I will end up with, but I am sticking with the Swift FX for a few days. I have been trying to change from stomach to side sleeping, but I am so sleep deprived again that I need a few nights to bury my face in the pillow, which I can't do with the WISP. Even though the DME had agreed that the medium Swift pillows were too big and the small were too small, with the pillows squeaky clean, no leaks.

The wipes the DME sold me were Mada CPAP mask wipes. $7 to $9.50 at Drugstore.com, Walgreens, or Amazon for 62 wipes. I only use half a wipe at a time. They are 100 percent pure cotton, all natural, and alcohol and latex free, derived from coconut and other plant extracts. The DME tech said that most wipes contain oils, preservatives, and/or alcohol derivatives.

[jhspires]

i got some of those baby wipes for sensitive skin to clean mine.
they are alcohol and aloe free.
$3 a box.

[patrick_a]

Not sure if this is the case with all nasal masks; the Wisp is my first and only, but if my mask and face are not squeaky clean, I will have large leaks. Even my Pad A Cheek frame covers were causing some leaks last night until I really cinched down on the straps.

Sometimes I think about making a small/narrow magnetic gasket. One half would fit inside the wisp air pillow and the other half would peel and stick to your face.

[joshelmintz]

The same thing goes with my Hybrid mask. I learned at the very beginning of my therapy that if my face was oily or the mask wasn't cleaned it leaked like a sieve. I never did soak mine, I just wash it with soap and rinse it off with water and let it air dry. I do dilute vinegar in water and soak my water humidifier tub and hose in it then rinse and air dry.

[NateS]

I talked to my DME about the leaks, and he suggested soaking the mask in hot water, 10% vinegar, and dish soap for half an hour, then using wipes---but not baby wipes--on them after they had dried. Then use the wipes nightly, with an occasional soak. I tried it on the WISP and no leaks.…
***
The wipes the DME sold me were Mada CPAP mask wipes. $7 to $9.50 at Drugstore.com, Walgreens, or Amazon for 62 wipes. I only use half a wipe at a time. They are 100 percent pure cotton, all natural, and alcohol and latex free, derived from coconut and other plant extracts. The DME tech said that most wipes contain oils, preservatives, and/or alcohol derivatives.

Just my personal opinion, but I suggest that it would be more effective to wipe down the Wisp, or any other mask, first thing in the morning, which would be right after taking it off, rather than letting any moisture from the face or nose dry on it all day before wiping it down.

That's what I've been doing with my Wisp with wipes purchased from cpap.com:

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/cpap-mask-wipes.html

Every morning as soon as I take it off, before I hang it up on the hose hanger hook is when I do it. In wiping it, I've become more acquainted with the sort of curled-in double-lip around the rim, so I try to make sure that I gently get into both the outer and inner curled sides of the lip holding it between my finger and thumb, since that's what forms the seal when the pressure is turned on. I think it has been helping me maintain a good seal.

Also, I have decided not to fuss as I used to in perfecting the seal while still sitting up, as I used to concentrate on doing, because I have found that often, what I have perceived as a leak noise right after putting it on while still sitting up, morphs into a perfect silent seal all by itself when I lie down.

Lastly, when I get blowing in my eyes, I think it is from the position of the exhaust vent, not a leak in the top of the Wisp. That's the one thing I think they need to improve - more options as to how to direct and/or diffuse the exhaust flow.

Regards, Nate

[jaybeem]

Thanks for the comments.

if my mask and face are not squeaky clean, I will have large leaks. Even my Pad A Cheek frame covers were causing some leaks last night until I really cinched down on the straps.

Bad news: cInching down the straps was what gave me the giant hand nightmare. Good news: if I had a nightmare, I must have been in REM!

Just my personal opinion, but I suggest that it would be more effective to wipe down the Wisp, or any other mask, first thing in the morning, which would be right after taking it off, rather than letting any moisture from the face or nose dry on it all day before wiping it down.

Good point. I am not good about cleaning my mask first thing in the morning, but I will start.

Lastly, when I get blowing in my eyes, I think it is from the position of the exhaust vent, not a leak in the top of the Wisp. That's the one thing I think they need to improve - more options as to how to direct and/or diffuse the exhaust flow.

The leaks were teeny pinprincks right towards the top. I do better with the exhaust vent when I use my hose hanger. Then it shoots down towards the bed covers instead of up. My DME tech made a note from our WISP discussion to tell the WISP sales rep: absolute best exhaust would be an elbow so you could point it anyway you wanted to. Wouldn't that be terrific? Since I don't have a bed partner, straight out would be perfect for me.

[archangle]

Sometimes it takes tinkering.

Some people find a clean mask leaks more. Sometimes loose fit leaks less.

Sometimes, silicone parts leak as they get older. Cleaning may help. Insurance will usually buy replacement flaps once a month or so.

Once you get a spare silicone flap, take the old one and boil it in a pot of water with a little baking soda added. Some people find this cleans or "reforms" the silicone and it works again. Do this on an old flap in case you damage it with heat. I don't know how the wisp stands up to this.

[Baconitis]

I have very oily skin and I often sweat at night where my mask sits. It gives me what I like to call "Face Farts". I clean my mask in the morning when I shower... I use my normal shampoo and wash the tube out at the same time. Most shampoo is milder than soap. I then hang the hose, mask and even head straps to dry on the shower door and its ready for use at night.

Washing makes my masks last a lot longer! I need that since my insurance only gives me a new one every 3 months.