What do you do with your old masks?

[Denial Dave]

I've given away every mask that I decided did not work for me via this forum.

Right now I have my Quattro FFM that has been in use for the past 11 months and the Quattro Air FFM that I'm still working on using.

Over the past 11 months, I've replaced the Quattro's cushion 2-3 times, the headgear twice & just recently replaced the anti-asphixiation flap on the Quattro.

I try to keep one or two sealed packages of spare parts for my mask & hose on hand for an emergency.

When I need to replace a cushion on my mask or the hose develops a leak, I grab one from my spares box for use. Then I can take my time ordering replacements from my DME or someone else.

I've got 2 H5i humidity tanks in rotation... (one is the cheapo version that came with my machine and the other is the dishwasher safe model.... I use the cheapo one for a day or so when the dishwasher safe version is in the dishwasher.)

Dave

[newname]

I filled a huge bag with all my old masks and headgear (large trash bag) I posted it on freecycle and no one replied so I put it out for the trash. I can't afford to mail masks to anyone so I try freecycle first and if no one replies, I throw them away. The last time I did this I used a huge red plastic bag and someone stole it before the trash collector came.

[Pugsy]

Sometimes we just give away old masks...even used ones with some miles on them.
Sometimes someone needs or wants to try a new mask and can't because of lack of insurance and/or money. It's a tough pill to swallow to pay $100 plus dollars for a mask and not have it work...even if someone uses return insurance at cpap.com. Let's face it...some people just don't have the extra cash to pay full retail out of pocket.

Even with some age on them used masks can often give someone a clue as to whether the mask may or may not work for them.
Sometimes the bulk of the mask is pretty much indestructible and all that is needed is a replacement cushion.
Like with the Swift FX nasal pillow mask. The short hose assembly will last forever with minimum care. Same with the silicone headgear parts. Sometimes the back strap gets a bit tired but those are cheap and easy to obtain...then all that is left to maybe by new is the nasal pillows themselves and depending on size...EBay sometimes has some killer deals. I have given away a lot of my old Swift FX stuff in the past this way.

Stormynights did send me a huge box of unwanted masks and various items....they have slowly been forwarded on to new homes where a person wants to try something and can't afford full retail. Maybe not meant to be a forever mask but just something to try at minimal cost in an effort to see if a person even likes the mask once they have it in their hands. We just don't ever know if we are going to like something until we actually try it ourselves. Mask preferences are highly individualized. One man's trash is another man's treasure.

Sometimes we just trade the unwanted or excess inventory items for something we do want or need.
Sometimes we sell minimally used items at a discount. This helps the seller at least recoup any insurance co pays that a person might have incurred.

[BlackSpinner]

I plan to make mine into Steam punk costume accessories.

[MyIdaho]

I'm just entering my 9 months anniversary on cpap. My masks start giving me fits with leaking after about 3 months use so I change out the cushion on an ~3 month schedule. The leaking occurs about 4 to 5 hours after falling asleep and are transistory "short blasts" that temporarily disturb sleep. I tried the boiling trick but that didn't help my leaking issue with 3 month old cushion. Is it worth saving the cushions and sharing with others? Right now I have a spare mask and hose as my backups. In the future, I will have a spare mask ~ 6 months that I could give away with the used cushions if there is any demand for used large mirage quattro FFM.

[Bobby269]

I have been using the quattro Fx large since it became availible. After about 9 months I put the parts in storage in case someone needs a part. I then start with a new mask. I keep two usable masks and rotate every Saturday ( cleaning day ) The only thing that I dispose of is the cushion after 4 months.

[Pugsy]

My masks start giving me fits with leaking after about 3 months use so I change out the cushion on an ~3 month schedule. The leaking occurs about 4 to 5 hours after falling asleep and are transistory "short blasts" that temporarily disturb sleep. I tried the boiling trick but that didn't help my leaking issue with 3 month old cushion. Is it worth saving the cushions and sharing with others?

No, probably not worth saving the cushions to share. Someone wanting to experiment with your mask would need the headgear and stuff to go along with it. Not unless someone had the other parts that were no longer needed and then maybe worth it.
The cushions or nasal pillows or just the stuff in general that we normally replace due to their getting tired need to be minimally used or the person trying them can't get a good idea as to whether it will seal good for them or not. They won't know if it is them or the tired cushion having the problems.

Now if I (or someone else) happened to have the other parts of the mask but no cushion..yeah, might be worth putting a full mask together to have a general idea as far as comfort.
Now if you get a complete mask setup and your old headgear gets replaced...then maybe set aside the used mask for maybe donating to someone one. Always make sure you have a backup available for yourself though.
There's not much of a need for used cushions or nasal pillows all by themselves...especially if used for very long.
Used 1 week and used 3 months are pretty different. Especially when it comes to full face mask cushions.

[Stormynights]

I have given away several of my worn out Sleepweaver masks. I knew they were too worn out to use but it is hard to imagine what a cloth mask is until you hold one in your hand. I guess any mask would have value to just look at and try on. I have heard that there are DMEs that let you do that. I have also heard about Mermaids.

[stage00]

you can hang the masks in effigy...a demented sculpture or hide the discarded masks in a soon to be crushed car.

[klh1016]

I would be more than happy to donate new and gently used masks. Is there a list of who to send them to or Is there a recommended go to member? I will pay postage, and I use the So Clean machine, so my items I've tried and didn't like are clean and fresh.

[jwerley]

Klh: Pugsy is kind enough to take them and find new homes for them for people who do not have Ins. That is where I send my stuff. P. M. her for where to send them.

Take care,
Janice