CPAP Cleaning

palerider wrote:

LSAT wrote:

exiii wrote:I'm susceptible to odors. Yeah, it's a rough life for those around me. But they're a bunch of smelly neanderthals, so screw them.

The cushion: I wash (almost) every day before I shower. Water alone is usually sufficient - run it under the shower head or sink. Honestly, for me, this is easier than dealing with baby wipes.

The tank: I think the MOST IMPORTANT thing is to empty and dry it daily. If I don't, I can smell it within a few days. And when you do wash, since 99.9% of the cleaning power comes from water alone; just a couple (2) drops of dish soap will do. Residual odor should be a non-issue at that concentration.

The hose: it amuses me that people will put 3 filters in line before their hoses (standard, hypoallergenic, and antibacterial) and then say that there is no need to wash the hose because it's just house air. If house air weren't a problem, why the extra filters? What do they use during the other 16 hours of each day? That seems to make an argument for periodic cleaning of the hose. I'll leave the frequency up to you though. I wash mine when I notice any odor - probably from the tank, but since the hose and mask are down-line from the tank, I wash those too. Frequency varies, and depends on my diligence in emptying/rinsing the tank.

YMMV

I'll bet you change the air in your tires every month too.

well, hell yeah! stale air in the tires leads to lower gas mileage, more noise and a rougher ride! it clumps together and rattles around in there....

noise wrote:

palerider wrote:water doesn't wash away oil, like the oil from your skin.

You're wrong. I've done it. I know it works. Something doesn't need to be water-soluble to be washed away by pressurized water. Try to think of some examples. Or don't. Whatever. The point though, was that very little soap (less than a drop) is ever needed on a nasal cushion.

noise wrote:

palerider wrote:well, that just signifies a lack of basic understanding of the concept.

allergens don't build up in the hose, allergens float in the air, filtering them out cuts down on the amount of allergic reactions while sleeping.

Allergens are typically particulate, both heavier and larger than molecules comprising the air we breathe, and they do settle out on solid surfaces along with dust. Do I really need to argue this point with examples of pollen on the ground and dust fiber build-up in your home HVAC system and AROUND the the edges of filters in people's CPAP machines (essentially bypassing them)?

noise wrote:But I'm not telling people to not use filters. I'm merely suggesting that the "need" to use filters also suggests a similar need to wash your CPAP hose. Seriously, you're arguing just to argue.

noise wrote:And as I also stated, if you're going to wash your humidifier tank, it's likely that some of whatever is making your tank smell has made it's way into your hose and mask because it's down-line; so it would make sense to wash them occasionally also.

noise wrote:

palerider wrote:if you had any sense, you might realize that while one is awake, one can blow one's nose, take short acting antihistamines or decongestants, perform nasal irrigation, saline sprays, may things to alleviate the allergy reactions. all things that it's rather hard to do while trying to sleep.

The simple mechanics of blowing air through my sinuses for the past year has virtually eliminated most of my night-time nasal issues - for both me and my wife who suffers from severe allergies.

palerider wrote:I'm happy for you. as little as you seem to understand in your brief experience.

palerider wrote:soap and water, yes, water alone, quite ineffective.

palerider wrote:no, I'm disputing your baseless comments, there's a difference.

palerider wrote:I've never had my humidifier tank 'smell'. maybe you need to change the pond scum in yours more often

exiii wrote:

palerider wrote:soap and water, yes, water alone, quite ineffective.

Same cushion, three months and no need to change it out. It works well enough.

palerider wrote:no, I'm disputing your baseless comments, there's a difference.

You're a troll. Little more.

palerider wrote:I've never had my humidifier tank 'smell'. maybe you need to change the pond scum in yours more often

It seems more likely that over the years you've acclimated to the stench. Have those around you?

exiii wrote:

palerider wrote:soap and water, yes, water alone, quite ineffective.

Same cushion, three months and no need to change it out. It works well enough.

palerider wrote:no, I'm disputing your baseless comments, there's a difference.

You're a troll. Little more.

palerider wrote:I've never had my humidifier tank 'smell'. maybe you need to change the pond scum in yours more often

It seems more likely that over the years you've acclimated to the stench. Have those around you?

LSAT wrote:

exiii wrote:It seems more likely that over the years you've acclimated to the stench. Have those around you?

You came into this board with the same shitty attitude you have now....In your very first post you started your post with..."Such ornery people on this forum".

LSAT wrote:You came into this board with the same shitty attitude you have now....In your very first post you started your post with..."Such ornery people on this forum".

exiii wrote:

LSAT wrote:You came into this board with the same shitty attitude you have now....In your very first post you started your post with..."Such ornery people on this forum".

I'll refer you to palerider's signature.

exiii wrote:

LSAT wrote:I'll bet you change the air in your tires every month too.

Are all of your 7000+ posts this useless?

palerider wrote:

LSAT wrote:

exiii wrote:It seems more likely that over the years you've acclimated to the stench. Have those around you?

You came into this board with the same shitty attitude you have now....In your very first post you started your post with..."Such ornery people on this forum".

seems his first post was very self referential.