How to clean a previously owned machine.

[Andee711]

I currently have really good insurance and have a rental machine at no charge to me. We know that we'll lose our insurance this summer so I have been inquiring about getting a used machine. A friend gave me his wife's cpap machine that she does not use anymore - a Remstar Plus 1005960 (domestic), an older machine. The machine and its carrying case must have been stored in a damp place because they smell like mildew. When I was programming it this evening, it was blowing a strong mildew smell. Before I pay to replace the filters and hose, I want to figure out if it can be cleaned. Thoughts?? Many thanks!

[Krelvin]

That is a pre-M-Series machine... ie... very old. Depending on how many hours it already has, you most likely could find something a lot newer than trying to de-mildew that one assuming you can. Mildew is possible hazardous mold which would not be very good for you to be breathing.

[Sleeprider]

You can do better. There are lots of current model machines with low hours being sold on Craigslist. You can pick up a fully auto Philips Respironics Auto with heated humidifier 560P for under $400 or in fact a brand new one for $350 on this forum from Grayghost4. Send him a PM and you'll have the best deal on the forum.

If you want to clean up the old brick, um, sorry, it's a lost cause. It's not worth it.

[Andee711]

Thanks for the advice. I guess I will pack it up and return it to them. You are right - I don't want to be breathing mildew.

I wonder if the DME would sell me my current machine when the time comes. I have plenty of time to ask.

[LSAT]

Is this a "rent forever"? Many insurance (Medicare included) use a rent to own program. After 12-13 months you own the unit.

[Andee711]

Oh - that is a great question. I need to ask. The machine will be about 10 months old when we lose the insurance. Thanks!

[Wulfman...]

Take the filter(s) out and replace or wash the gray foam one. If it's got a white fine filter, throw that one away. If it has a humidifier tank on it, that that off and clean it with dishwashing liquid and hot water. (I use Dawn.) The hose may need the same treatment.
Then let it run for awhile and see if it starts to smell better.
Those things will run "forever". Maybe this one just needs a little "TLC".

Den

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[Wulfman...]

Oh - that is a great question. I need to ask. The machine will be about 10 months old when we lose the insurance. Thanks!

And, some insurance providers will do an early payout in some circumstances. Check into that if the deadline is in question.


Den

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[archangle]

Filters are cheap. Remove or replace them and the hose and run the machine for a while and see if the smell goes away. Sit it somewhere clean and dry with airflow around it and let it air out. Don't run it for too long with the filters out, but a few hours won't hurt.

You basically can't clean the inside of a machine, but it's rarely needed. However, if it's going to be thrown away if it doesn't get cleaned, you could take it apart and see how nasty it is inside and if you can clean it. At worst, you can't fix it and have to throw it away.

Watch your local craigslist for a while. I see top of the line machines locally for around $300 every few months or so. Expect to see a lot of overpriced junk for sale while you're looking for a good deal.

[purple]

I would not take it apart. Altho I am not an expert. I understand the manufacturer has sealed the motor and air blower in sound insulation that if you take off you can not replace. I would guess you will not open the blower to wipe off the impeller blades anyway.

You might offer to give it to your sleep doc, as they have methods of cleaning the innards that are not available to us. At least an RT can know whether their cleaning will make it safely usable again. I would leave it in the car when offering it to the sleep doc. I would be sure they are terrified about have even a little mold or mildew in their office as that stuff has spores which could quickly infect their whole operation. So they would not let you bring it in unless it was in a sealed bag. You know, Outside of the bag wiped down with.

The Sleep Doc, if he felt it was safely cleaned, could give it to a patient who can not afford a machine. It is interesting, my DME, Lincare says they only dispense new machines, because of the risk of contamination from one person to another. Obviously is also why they say they are entitled to huge markups, they have to cover losses like that. But who trusts a DME?

[chunkyfrog]

Check the prices on cpap.com (the sponsors of this forum), or secondwindcpap.com.

[archangle]

I would not take it apart. Altho I am not an expert. I understand the manufacturer has sealed the motor and air blower in sound insulation that if you take off you can not replace. I would guess you will not open the blower to wipe off the impeller blades anyway.

You might offer to give it to your sleep doc, as they have methods of cleaning the innards that are not available to us. At least an RT can know whether their cleaning will make it safely usable again. I would leave it in the car when offering it to the sleep doc. I would be sure they are terrified about have even a little mold or mildew in their office as that stuff has spores which could quickly infect their whole operation. So they would not let you bring it in unless it was in a sealed bag. You know, Outside of the bag wiped down with.

The Sleep Doc, if he felt it was safely cleaned, could give it to a patient who can not afford a machine. It is interesting, my DME, Lincare says they only dispense new machines, because of the risk of contamination from one person to another. Obviously is also why they say they are entitled to huge markups, they have to cover losses like that. But who trusts a DME?

Your sleep doc, sleep lab, or DME is highly unlikely to have a means of cleaning the inside of a CPAP machine, or be willing to do so. The only likely way to clean it would be Ethelyne Oxide, and that's a fairly complicated and toxic process they're not likely to have or do on a whim. Even then, that's germ killing, not necessarily smell removal.

There shouldn't be much mold or germ growth inside the CPAP machine. Even if it's humid, there's not much food in there for the germs to live on. There is a lot of foam that can absorb smells, thought.

If you want to disassemble it, there are service manuals available at apneaboard.com under the "setup manuals" tab. I'm not sure how much cleaning you can really do, though.