Equipment Replacement - How Often

[CzechCzar]

Hi there,

I have a HDHP, so I pay for equipment out of pocket up until I hit $6,000. So, I am trying to make my equipment laaaaaaast. I know that masks and headgear degrade, eventually. My question relates to other stuff - respironics heated tubing, water reservoir.

I take very good care of my equipment - a sponge bath in soapy water each week, followed by a soak in Control III. How long, realistically, can I expect my equipment to last?

[chunkyfrog]

I am lucky to get a pillow or cushion to last a month; but hoses and tanks can last for many months.
If a puppy or kitty comes into the bedroom, all bets are off--those little teeth are sharp!

[OhHelpMe]

a sponge bath in soapy water each week, followed by a soak in Control III.

It will last longer if you quit this.

[LSAT]

My mask and headgear are almost 18 months old.I think I have washed them 2-3 times in that time. I do, however wipe my silicone cushions with baby wipes every night. I am still on my second cushion with this mask.

[library lady]

So far my cushions have lasted about two months. They get a brief soak in dish soap water once a week, and a daily wipe with cpap wipes. Headgear - haven't replaced, wash every month or so. I recently replaced my heated hose after about 10 weeks of use. Humidifier is still good, I rinse it every day in tap water, using a drop of dish soap every two or three days. I don't want to have to scrub the slippery stuff that might come If I don't.

[LTen]

I wash my nasal mask every morning. It has lasted 3 months so far. I wonder how you can know if you need to replace the big hose? i.e., the Climate Control hose. It looks fine, but does it start leaking at some point? Is there some point in the life of the hose that I should at least get a replacement "just in case?"

I can't see the use of washing out the water tank every night. If you are using distilled water, what is there to leave deposits? Seems like washing with anything - even baby shampoo - would be more likely to leave deposits than to add distilled water and only wash once per week. I wash it out good if I'm traveling and have to use tap water.

[qckndrty]

I usually replace the headgear once a year, nasal pillows 4x and hoses twice a year. My machine is 13+ years old and I replace the filter or wash it frequently.

[CzechCzar]

Many thanks for your help guys...

[bwexler]

I replaced my Resmed tank at about 2.5 years and could not see the difference between old and new. Climateline hose about the same. I wash the tank every year or so weather or not it needs it.
I have insurance so I generaly wind up with a diferant mask every six months or everytime I am due for a replacement.
I am still looking for that elusive, perfect mask, that never leeks, feels like it is not even there and does not interfere with line of sight. OH, and my nostrils are too sensative for pillows.

I do recomend having a spare on hand for those friday night emergencies when something breaks.

[zorki1c]

The humidifier tank on my S9 has lasted a year now and still looks like new. I wash it in warm soapy water at least once a week. My heated hose has also been used for a year and I wash it probably twice a week with warm soapy water. When I was using a Swift FX mask I washed the pillows a couple of times a week. Now I'm using the Res Med Airfit P10 and I wash the pillows in warm soapy water every morning. I find I have a lot more leaks if I don't do it every day. I have yet to "wear out" a pillow on any mask. I have picked up a new pillow every couple of month (insurance pays for them) just ib case I have a failure. I don't think warm, soapy water can hurt anything. One other observation: So folks say they wash their mask and other equipment once a month of even less. I live in a dry, relatively cool climate and could probably get away with that. But if I lived in a hot, high humidity area I would be cleaning things EVERY DAY. IMO that is the perfect environment for all sorts of bad things to grow rather quickly.

[RogerSC]

I've been using the same humidifier tank for a couple of years now, and it still looks new. It's the heavier duty one that you can take apart to wash. Still using the original heated tube, about 2.5 years on that. The rest gets replaced when I need to. On my second mask, the headgear just loses it's stretch after while, and becomes more difficult to cope with. I'd say the nasal pillows and filters are the most frequent replacement. I use the nasal pillows as long as I can get a good seal with them. For me that varies between 1-3 months, but I couldn't tell you why it varies that much *smile*. Usually replace the pillows and filter at the same time.

I don't think that washing is a problem, as long as you use a gentle cleanser with warm water, rinse thoroughly, and handle things gently.

[zorki1c]

I've been using the same humidifier tank for a couple of years now, and it still looks new. It's the heavier duty one that you can take apart to wash. Still using the original heated tube, about 2.5 years on that. The rest gets replaced when I need to. On my second mask, the headgear just loses it's stretch after while, and becomes more difficult to cope with. I say the nasal pillows and filters are the most frequent replacement. I use the nasal pillows as long as I can get a good seal with them. For me that varies between 1-3 months, but I couldn't tell you why it varies that much *smile*. Usually replace the pillows and filter at the same time.

I don't think that washing is a problem, as long as you use a gentle cleanser with warm water, rinse thoroughly, and handle things gently.

I also have the two-piece tank.

[jencat824]

For me, tubing & humidifier last a loooooong time. I've got my original heated tube & humidifier (from March 2013).

On my old M series, humidifier tanks were of a different constructions & didn't last as long as others in my past, but I replaced humidifier tanks on it about every 2-3 years.

Hoses, these last a very long time.

My cleaning ritual - if I don't see dirt, I don't clean it. I know for some, that sounds icky, but it doesn't bother me & obviously it doesn't bother my equipment.

Jen