Cleaning solutions

Hi, I am new to Cpap and am on my 5th mask. Unfortunately, my provider gave up after the third. Anyway, since I have to buy these myself I want them to last. They all say to use pure soap (such as Nutrogena). I have seen solutions on the market called RespiSoak and RespiSoap (active ingredient Triclosan). Are these able to be used with the masks, humidfiers, cushions, etc.

Thank you

this takes some reverse logic to understand.... but do you think a mask manufacturer like Resmed or Respironics wants your masks to last longer? Do you think they are going to tell you the best way to extend the life of your mask?

I use Dawn Citrus Anti-bacterial Hand Soap, small bottle lasts a long time. Dawn is known for cutting grease and oils, so I run only Hot water in the sink and fill it while squirting in a couple squirts of Dawn in the water.

Then I remove the headgear from the mask and wash the mask fully assembled. I use my fingers mainly in the soapy water to go around the cushion. If it is looking like the cushion is yellowing a bit, I'll even put in some OxyClean powder and let it soak a while. Then I give it the ole bar glass agitation action and and rinse.

Fact: I have gotten 2 full years out of a single UltraMirage Full Face cushion and it was still usable when I replaced it. And the Citrus Dawn leaves my masks smelling great.

But if you want it to smell like a salad then I guess you can use vinegar and water. Nearly all the masks I have purchased have had silicone cushions.

If you have a rank humidifier tank with critters growing in it your options are to kill the bacteria or toss it. Diluted Chlorine bleach kills just about everything but sometimes getting the smell out can be difficult.

Good old Ivory bar soap works pretty good.

Here are some sections of a posting that I wrote on cleaning:

birdshell wrote:Just as someone else said, this topic has been raised before. A search may turn up something else for you.

(snip)

Daily: wash the nasal pillows portion with a drop or two of Ivory unscented dish soap and rinse in hot water. Rub the silicone portions that touch the nose with the fingers and soapy water. Having rinsed very well under the running hot water, I shake it out so there are very few tiny water droplets and allow to air dry. (Unless I don't wash it until right before bed; then it is just a little more humidification.)

(snip)

Note: The ResMed manual tells the user to use a pure soap such as Dove. Well, Dove is mild but has 1/4 moisturizer AND only the Sensitive Skin variety is truly fragrance free. The unscented type contains a masking fragrance--which is still a fragrance.

(snip)

5-7 Minutes: Take the hose off the machine, detach the humidifier cover and seal, remove the humidifier tank, and the mask/interface tubes. I put all into a large plastic container with a water-tight lid. I put one pump of the unscented Ivory into the hose and fill the container with the hose from the water faucet and soak it all in the soapy water while filling, until the container is filled enough to cover the equipment. Then I put the top on, shake everything well, and rub the nasal pillows/interface. I fill the container again with hot water and cover; then I shake it again to be sure all is rinsed well.

(snip)

Here are other sources:

Link to Discussion on Cleaning

Link to Soap and Cleaner Discussion


I hope that you find this information contributes to your search for a good cleaner.

I use the soap called "Pears" it has the same ingredients as cetaphil and is only one dollar a bar......fragrance is very lite

Or the other option. Use two hoses and alternate. This allows them to dry throughly and don't clean them.

Swift pillow. Take some soap (any kind I use the liquid hand soap - scented or whatever is in the bathroom) and rub some on the pillow, rinse thoughoughly takes 30 seconds tops. Only real reason to clean is it seals better.

Humidifier? Run it dry every couple of days and refill. If you really feel you have to rinse out every month or two.

Disclaimer.... I am a healthy adult and have no autoimmune diseases. If I had a bacterial infection I would take more steps to ensure that I didn't reinfect myself.

Smell like a salad, vinegar and water will have it lasing the longest as vinegar "treats" the rubber and keeps it flexible and sealing. Some hate it but I have used it for years and have yet to replace a mask. Soaps, of any kind break down the rubber eventually.