My Mask Smells Like Smoke

[dietrichsgirl]

Hey. I just got my machine and nasal pillow mask last week. We immediately went to visit my in-laws and they smoke like chimneys. I am actually allergic to cigarette smoke, so my inhaler has been my friend for sure, and at night, my machine made breathing so much easier. Now that we are back in our smoke free home, after three nights in a smoke filled one, my mask stinks. I washed it out, and the tubing, thoroughly to no avail. It still stinks and I can't use it because of the smell. Is there anyone out there who knows how to get the smoke smell out of the silicone? I would be eternally grateful!

[cflame1]

Are you sure it's the mask? Would have expected the machine

If it's the machine, change the filters and let it run for a few hours might help (according to old posts)

[locust78]

If you know of a fellow CPAP user that has a SoClean machine, ask to borrow it. The ozone will eliminate the smoke odor.

[LSAT]

I agree that it's probably the machine...it takes a long time for the smell to leave, even after a short time in a smoke home. Try running the machine near an open window for a few hours at a time.

[RandyJ]

Hey. I just got my machine and nasal pillow mask last week. We immediately went to visit my in-laws and they smoke like chimneys. I am actually allergic to cigarette smoke, so my inhaler has been my friend for sure, and at night, my machine made breathing so much easier. Now that we are back in our smoke free home, after three nights in a smoke filled one, my mask stinks. I washed it out, and the tubing, thoroughly to no avail. It still stinks and I can't use it because of the smell. Is there anyone out there who knows how to get the smoke smell out of the silicone? I would be eternally grateful!

The air intake in the back of your machine sucks air from the room, passing it through the filters and ultimately through the inner parts of the machine, through the humidifier, tubing and your mask -- which is why people always should ask and SHOULD NEVER PURCHASE a used cpap machine that has been in a smoker's home... getting that smell out is very difficult.

Tubing only costs around $10, so you can throw that out and replace it if you have to, but the mask is more problematic though you can throw out the cushion and replace it with a new one.

You could try putting a few drops of essential oil (eucalyptus, etc -- see PurSleep products on cpap.com) on a cotton ball placed on a saucer near the intake of the machine, and let it run for a bit. It might cover up the smoke smell somewhat.

I would never go back to inlaws (if it was me).

Good luck!

[Pugsy]

Which machine are you using?
Heated hose or regular hose?
Do you have a spare mask or hose?

Most often the residual odor after cleaning mask and hose comes from within the machine itself so I would remove the filter and let the machine run outside for a few hours and then replace the filter(s)....filter(s) depends on machine brand.
Respironics might have 2 filters (one gray foam filter that is washable and one white fine filter that is optional and disposable) and ResMed has 1 disposable white fine filter.
So change filter(s) for sure.

For mask and hose...try a good soak in hot water with some baking soda dissolved in it (maybe an hour or so) then rinse and rinse and rinse in hot water (as hot as your hands can stand it) and let them air dry outside.
If your hose is not a heated hose...might just want to get a new one as they don't cost a lot...check with your DME because it might be that you are within a time frame where your insurance will buy you another one anyway.
If heated hose...be extra careful with the it and if insurance time frame for another one is not yet satisfied then see if you can get the odor out...those things are pricey.

[StuUnderPressure]

Change the filter(s)

Run the machine for 3 hours WITH the hose connected.

I would do this INside of the house.
The air may be fresher outside, but it also contains more dust, pollen, etc.
I don't want that flowing through my machine.

If your hose is a heated hose, MAKE ABSOLUTELY SURE that it CAN be submerged in water BEFORE you attempt the items below.

Then:
Wash the inside of the hose with soap & water & rinse thoroughly
Separate the mask (hard plastic) from the soft silicone cushion & wash
both in soap & water & rinse thoroughly

Letting all 3 of those items "soak" in a container of soap & water for 3 hours would be even better.

Pour a solution of soap & water INTO the hose while holding the 2 open ends upright so that it does not run out.
Stick a finger / thumb in each open end to keep the solution INside of the hose as you submerge the hose in a container of soap & water.
Put something on top of the hose to keep it totally submerged.

The mask & silicone parts will sink on their own & should also be kept totally submerged.

REPLACING the hose, mask, & silicone cushion instead of cleaning them is an option, but it could be too costly to do.

If you DO replace those items, you should still replace the filters & then run the machine for 3 hours (this time withOUT the hose - if you replace the hose).

If you do replace the items, keep them as spares to use next time you visit your in-laws.

[DreamDiver]

When I first got my S9, I brought it to one of our Atlanta CPAP meetings. We were meeting at a bagel place. I only had it out for a few minutes. I didn't even run it. When I brought it home and used it that night, all I could smell was burnt bagels. The same was true when I brought a mask for show and tell. I then used the mask and got the same burnt bagel experience.

Sometimes, if I bake something like bacon or chicken and leave the bedroom door and the door to the upstairs open, my machine will smell like dinner. Our equipment does seem to concentrate smells. It doesn't help that the smelly air is going right up our noses.

I used an ionizer to get rid of the smell by placing the machine/mask/whatever for a few hours in front of it. They really do remove odors.

Now, when I bring a mask somewhere for show and tell, it goes in a zip-lock bag.

Some people have had luck turning on the machine outdoors to remove smoking odors. The air might be fresher than indoors if you don't live in a densely populated area. If you put it in a simple cotton or poly pillowcase, that should keep enough of the bugs and pollen off, while still giving the machine a good run.

[dietrichsgirl]

Thank you all so much for your advice!
It is most definitely the mask itself. I stuck it up to my face alone and it smelled without air passing through it. I'll be trying some of the cleaning techniques you have suggested today. I really hope they work because I would really rather not have to replace the silly thing.
Thanks again!!

[DreamDiver]

... I would really rather not have to replace the silly thing.
Thanks again!!

In that case, hold onto your "smoke-in-law mask" for the next visit.

[StuUnderPressure]

I still use my 9 year old Respironics brick as my travel CPAP & I have to go through the time consuming cleaning procedures every time.

I just returned from a short business trip that only required 1 night in a Hotel.
Now, this was not only a very good hotel (I was not paying for it), but the Hotel was also less than a year old. I never smelled anything in that room that smelled even close to bad.

But, when I returned home & turned it on to see how it smelled, the hotel smell was "different" than my normal house smells. So, I cleaned it anyway.
Now it has that "fresh" smell again & is packed away for the next trip.

[chunkyfrog]

Silicone absorbs gases (and odors) like a sponge. You need to purchase a new set of pillows
and put the stinky set into a zipper bag with a couple of tablespoons of baking soda.
Just forget about them for a month or so. Then wash normally; they should be nice and fresh.
I have a mask and machine I lent to my sister-in-law. DH's brother SMOKES (a lot)
I cleaned over and over, but time was the key.
I also recommend using a couple of drops of essential oil on a cotton ball next to the intake.
Sometimes the odor is all that remains, and covering it up will help.

[NateS]

In that case, hold onto your "smoke-in-law mask" for the next visit.

Who'd go back!?

Next time, if it were me/us, I'd prefer a nearby hotel. Cheaper and healthier in the long run.

Best wishes, Nate

[archangle]

We still need to know what mask you have, and we might be able to help.

Please fill in your equipment in your profile. There's a link in my signature line to help you.

[lc96]

We always stayed in a motel/hotel when my mother was still smoking. After she quit, we still had to stay away because the smoke had so permeated the walls, window coverings, bed linens, etc. When we do stay in a hotel we put the hand towels from the room under our machines, otherwise the smells from the wood of the nightstand bother us.