Cleaning this monstrosity

Bear with me.

I clean my boyfriend's cpap machine. I presume the specs are still in my signature.

Upon getting the machine I dutifully nodded and soaked in all the information on cleaning it and vowed to do it in a timely manner. Then I read forums and other user feedback, and realized a sizable portion of people maintained this wasn't necessary. It did not help that the instructions they gave me on cleaning intervals were sometimes marked and rewrote in on the pamphlets.

So I stuck to cleaning the tank and putting in fresh water every few days, and cleaning the nose piece every other day at least.

Then bf goes to the doctor for his followup and is told by his doctor that one of his patients recently died, caused completely or was significantly influenced by her not cleaning her machine despite her claims? Wasn't there to hear but that was the gist of it.

The tube: It took me forever to have the courage to yank on the tube to get it away from the mask. I was told to pour water in it with a bit of soap but keep the one end covered while you.. violently fling the thing back and forth to distribute the soapy water. How does this even work? Everytime I attempt it I end up cursing because I don't know how you do it without getting that one end wet. Furthermore, there is always a bit of soap at that one end that I don't know how to get rid of, for risk of getting that electrical end wet. This thing is designed to be uncleanly.

The headstrap: I was told to handwash this with a bit of soap. Everytime I attempt this, the strap material starts flaking and scraping off. There is something I'm doing very wrong here, but I'm not sure what it is. Should I only be letting it soak in soapy water, then rinse??

The filter: It is oh so important to clean this thing. It is this tiny scrap of a thing that never looks the slightest bit contaminated and I feel like the stupidest person ever cleaning it. I've only done it about three times, but I also just wonder "what the hell am I doing?" I never use soap for it, should I be?

The tank: Luckily, this is pretty straightforward. Unfortunately, it is right before bedtime before I think "well shit, I'm going to kill my boyfriend if I don't clean this thing" and I've had two mishaps so far in my sleepy, sometimes alcohol-induced cleanings: one time I put used cooking oil in it instead, and so cleaned it with vast amounts of soap three times and still worried if it'd be the death of him. Then a couple nights ago I accidentally grabbed the white vinegar jug. I didn't realize until I was putting the tank back in the machine and the strong, burning odor hit me. Luckily it didn't have to hit him.

Unless that doctor can produce the autopsy report then he is playing games.

The only people who have to be that concerned are people with compromised immune systems.

The info given by the mfgr re cleaning is to cover their asses for insce and legal purposes should someone some day sue them because the machine killed the patient who didn't know any cleaning of any part was supposed to be done once a year. Ignore all that nonsense, tell the doctor to produce evidence of his nonsense story and do a reasonable job, no more. The hoses just do not need cleaning. Ever. The machine needs nothing but dusting and the filter could be rinsed monthly, if that, between replacements. The tank should be full of distilled water (or tap in a travelling pinch) so almost no cleaning is needed there either unless you see a bit of whatever on a rare occasion, in which case use a bit of vinegar in a bunch of water to swish it out (with or without the help of a Q tip) and rinse. Period.

Using CPAP 6 years I cleaned my hose exactly once. I realized there was no way to get it dried out and a higher risk of mold from cleaning rather than using (I never have rainout) I'm on my second hose in 6 years and I ain't dead yet. I'm almost never sick since CPAP.

EVERY once in a while I clean my tank and mask cushion. I've never had a problem.

Life'a too short to spend it all cleaning CPAP.

Janknitz wrote:
Life'a too short to spend it all cleaning CPAP.

I feel the same way about seatbelts and cheap heroine!!!

Being serious though it takes MAYBE two minutes to clean everything once a week. Reconnect the hose and let the machine run air through it for 5 mins and it's completely dried out.


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GuestStar wrote: one of his patients recently died, caused completely or was significantly influenced by her not cleaning her machine despite her claims?

That sounds like the worst ever episode of CSI:Miami
"The lab results show that it wasn't murder after all-- he just never cleaned his humidifier tank!"

BlackSpinner wrote:Unless that doctor can produce the autopsy report then he is playing games.

The only people who have to be that concerned are people with compromised immune systems.

I think that's what happened, "a compromised immune system." That could be HIV/AIDS, immunosuppressive drugs, chemotherapy, or another disease or infirmity.

VinnieBarbarino wrote:

GuestStar wrote: one of his patients recently died, caused completely or was significantly influenced by her not cleaning her machine despite her claims?

That sounds like the worst ever episode of CSI:Miami
"The lab results show that it wasn't murder after all-- he just never cleaned his humidifier tank!"

The four 45 cal holes in his chest, had nothing to do with his desmise, it was a clear case of suicide by water tank. The Doctor is a fool trying to cover his _ss. Jim

I never clean the long hose- many people on here have said it is not needed. Good enough for me, I believe them.
Get some Baby wipes to clean the mask and pillows with- non alcohol, non scented. very cheap at wall mart. Just give the mask a quick wipe.
The headstrap- I just swish mine in some Baby shampoo and water a few seconds about ever 14 days.
Humidifier- Ever 10 days or so, I swish some vinegar and soap around in it.

I think it helps if you wash your face before using the mask, that way the oils are less on your skin.

If the BF is so concerned about the job you are doing - tell him to grow a pair and do his own cleaning.

wow- did it ever cross your mind the BF could be disabled and needs help cleaning the cpap?

Cardsfan wrote:wow- did it ever cross your mind the BF could be disabled and needs help cleaning the cpap?

that's quite a leap.

Before you insult someone for lack of balls, you should know the whole story of why he does not clean it himself. It's not a leap, it's called common courtesy.

palerider wrote:

Cardsfan wrote:wow- did it ever cross your mind the BF could be disabled and needs help cleaning the cpap?

that's quite a leap.

Yes it is. I have a friend who is on cpap and insists it is his wife's job to clean it because it "benefits her most"

BlackSpinner wrote:

palerider wrote:

Cardsfan wrote:wow- did it ever cross your mind the BF could be disabled and needs help cleaning the cpap?

that's quite a leap.

Yes it is. I have a friend who is on cpap and insists it is his wife's job to clean it because it "benefits her most"

well, I DID put a cpap on someone so *I* could sleep... 'course, now they won't sleep without it, even if I'm not around... they feel better with it. but I don't clean it for 'em.