How would you clean a used machine

I bought a used bipap a while ago, said it was hardly used and it looks brand new. I am wondering if I need to do anything special to clean it before I use it? Since the air only flows one way through the machine I don't see how it can be a problem if I sanitize the tank and use a new hose but I know that hospitals that use xpap on more than one patient go through some procedure to clean and sanitize but not sure what it is.

Any thoughts (and please don't tell me to by a NoClean)

flightco wrote:I bought a used bipap a while ago, said it was hardly used and it looks brand new. I am wondering if I need to do anything special to clean it before I use it? Since the air only flows one way through the machine I don't see how it can be a problem if I sanitize the tank and use a new hose but I know that hospitals that use xpap on more than one patient go through some procedure to clean and sanitize but not sure what it is.

Any thoughts (and please don't tell me to by a NoClean)

there is no cleaning 'procedure' for cpaps. change the filters, wipe down the outside.

if the machine is stinky, like cigarette smoke then you'll have to take it apart and try to get the smell out of the silicone.

it can be done, but it's not easy.

Friend of mine was given a used machine and it was from a smoker.. yuck. His wife took out the filters and hose, washed as much as she could and then sat it in an open window and let it run for several hours. Once it didn't smell anymore, they put in new filters and hose and it was fine. They go south every winter for 3 months and that machine is his travel and back up. Great thing is that the machine is the same as his regular one... win - win.
Nan

palerider wrote:

flightco wrote:I bought a used bipap a while ago, said it was hardly used and it looks brand new. I am wondering if I need to do anything special to clean it before I use it? Since the air only flows one way through the machine I don't see how it can be a problem if I sanitize the tank and use a new hose but I know that hospitals that use xpap on more than one patient go through some procedure to clean and sanitize but not sure what it is.

Any thoughts (and please don't tell me to by a NoClean)

there is no cleaning 'procedure' for cpaps. change the filters, wipe down the outside.

if the machine is stinky, like cigarette smoke then you'll have to take it apart and try to get the smell out of the silicone.

it can be done, but it's not easy.

I turned it on and put the hose up to my nose and no smell so I believe it came from a non-smoking house, there are smells worse than smoking and none of those either.

nanwilson wrote:Friend of mine was given a used machine and it was from a smoker.. yuck. His wife took out the filters and hose, washed as much as she could and then sat it in an open window and let it run for several hours. Once it didn't smell anymore, they put in new filters and hose and it was fine. They go south every winter for 3 months and that machine is his travel and back up. Great thing is that the machine is the same as his regular one... win - win.
Nan

I might let it run for a few hours outside anyway, I should do this soon before the pollens get bad, would be a shame to suck those to the inside.

New hose, new water tank. wipe down with alcohol. That's about all you can do. New filter.

flightco wrote:I turned it on and put the hose up to my nose and no smell so I believe it came from a non-smoking house, there are smells worse than smoking and none of those either.

sniff the intake and outlet with the machine off... the flood of air will overpower many smells from the machine. (based on experience... couldn't smell anything with it running, but without it running, it reeked.

flightco wrote:I might let it run for a few hours outside anyway, I should do this soon before the pollens get bad, would be a shame to suck those to the inside.

there's nothing inside for the pollen to stick to.

there's pictures of the insides of machines floating around on the forum.

palerider wrote:

flightco wrote:I might let it run for a few hours outside anyway, I should do this soon before the pollens get bad, would be a shame to suck those to the inside.

there's nothing inside for the pollen to stick to.

there's pictures of the insides of machines floating around on the forum.

Incorrect answer, as usual, ever see a used fan blade or even the grill in front of it...... Jim

Look at the cooling fan on your computer or the heat sink fan.

I'd remove the filters turn it on use cans of compressed air bowling in the intake in bursts, trying not to overspend the fan motor, then I would lightly spray lysol spray in the intake with it running, without getting it wet.

Then run it until it was totally dried, put in new filters and hose, wash the HH tank in soap water, then vinegar water, dry, done!

A lot depends on the previous user. If they used and replace the filter and it was a non smoking and no stinky pets it is most likely very clean inside.

If you are unsure... OPEN it..

I opened my 6 year old machine and it looked brand new inside.

Goofproof wrote:Incorrect answer, as usual, ever see a used fan blade or even the grill in front of it...... Jim

Look at the cooling fan on your computer or the heat sink fan.

I'd remove the filters turn it on use cans of compressed air bowling in the intake in bursts, trying not to overspend the fan motor, then I would lightly spray lysol spray in the intake with it running, without getting it wet.

Then run it until it was totally dried, put in new filters and hose, wash the HH tank in soap water, then vinegar water, dry, done!

I guess you're the expert, how many cpaps have you take apart, or are you yapping out your ass, as usual?

a can of compressed air can't generate anywhere near the volume of air that the fan in the cpap does....

lysol *eyeroll* .... anybody that does that, and regrets it, send a bill to goofy.

The PRS1 machines tend to hold odors in the silicon seals. Replacing the Dry Box seals and humidifier lid seal makes it like new. CPAP.com sells the silicon seal, for pretty cheap.

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palerider wrote:

Goofproof wrote:Incorrect answer, as usual, ever see a used fan blade or even the grill in front of it...... Jim

Look at the cooling fan on your computer or the heat sink fan.

I'd remove the filters turn it on use cans of compressed air bowling in the intake in bursts, trying not to overspend the fan motor, then I would lightly spray lysol spray in the intake with it running, without getting it wet.

Then run it until it was totally dried, put in new filters and hose, wash the HH tank in soap water, then vinegar water, dry, done!

I guess you're the expert, how many cpaps have you take apart, or are you yapping out your ass, as usual?

a can of compressed air can't generate anywhere near the volume of air that the fan in the cpap does....

lysol *eyeroll* .... anybody that does that, and regrets it, send a bill to goofy.

palerider wrote:

Goofproof wrote:Incorrect answer, as usual, ever see a used fan blade or even the grill in front of it...... Jim

Look at the cooling fan on your computer or the heat sink fan.

I'd remove the filters turn it on use cans of compressed air bowling in the intake in bursts, trying not to overspend the fan motor, then I would lightly spray lysol spray in the intake with it running, without getting it wet.

Then run it until it was totally dried, put in new filters and hose, wash the HH tank in soap water, then vinegar water, dry, done!

I guess you're the expert, how many cpaps have you take apart, or are you yapping out your ass, as usual?

a can of compressed air can't generate anywhere near the volume of air that the fan in the cpap does....

lysol *eyeroll* .... anybody that does that, and regrets it, send a bill to goofy.

I wouldn't need to take it apart to clean it. The Lysol product is a spray disinfectant, and if you can't handle it don't do it. Equiptment can be damaged if you don't know how to handle basic repairs. Jim

Too bad Common Sense can't be put in a can, but if it could some couldn't get the cap off it.

Goofproof wrote:I wouldn't need to take it apart to clean it. The Lysol product is a spray disinfectant, and if you can't handle it don't do it. Equiptment can be damaged if you don't know how to handle basic repairs. Jim

Too bad Common Sense can't be put in a can, but if it could some couldn't get the cap off it.

so, you freely admit that you know nothing about what's inside a cpap. but you're going to go spraying LYSOL into it, not caring if it gums up the flow or pressure sensor, or affects the bearings on the fan... good call.

might want to try finding some of that sense yourself.

protip, for your previous comment, comparing a cpap to the cpu fan on your computer... I 'pose you've got filters on the air intakes of your cpu, do you?.

folks, don't do what this fool is advising... I've taken apart numerous cpaps, documented the process, and all I can say is, goofy knows not what he's babbling about.