According to the Respironics manual for the Comfortgel mask it is OK to wash the mask in the top shelf of the dishwasher, subject to a note that it should be placed with the rigid side down to avoid deformation of the cushion. Maybe this is why the manual also says "with proper care, the mask has an expected useful life of six (6) months."
Having regard to the temperatures and detergents used in dishwashers, I would not have a bar of putting any part of my mask in a dishwasher. When I was provided with the mask I was advised, with proper care and usage. excepting accidental breakage it should last atleast a year. I was then advised to dismantle the mask and heargear assembly and hand wash it twice a week at the most, using only warm water and a mild, unscented pure soap, to rinse in clean water nd then allow all parts to dry before reassembling. I will be most unhapy if my mask, lasts less than a year.
Do you wash your mask/hose EVERY day?
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Dave Hargett
- Posts: 79
- Joined: Sat Feb 05, 2005 12:09 am
- Location: Chicago suburbs
- Contact:
The same mask for nearly 6 years and you hardly ever wash it? I'm really surprised that you don't have lots of mask leaks. I can tell a difference with mine, even though I clean it regularly, after 8 months or so. I will begin to leak much more easily at that point. When that occurs and I get a new mask I can tell that I feel better within a few days, too.melody wrote:I got my machine and mask back in 1999. I change the filter on the machine whenever. I have washed the mask a few times. I am still using my first mask.
Dave
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Sleeping With The Enemy
- Posts: 454
- Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 11:54 pm
- Location: Minnesota
I wash my mask/humidifier every day with baby shampoo/wash. I am a nurse and it has been drilled into my head "INFECTION CONTROL"
For me its just a matter of cleanliness. I am a very clean person. I can't imagine not cleaning the mask especially after breathing into it all night long. I know no one wakes up with the best smelling breath. I certainly don't want to go to bed the next night and put on a mask that stinks like morning breath. GROSS! Just my opinion.
For me its just a matter of cleanliness. I am a very clean person. I can't imagine not cleaning the mask especially after breathing into it all night long. I know no one wakes up with the best smelling breath. I certainly don't want to go to bed the next night and put on a mask that stinks like morning breath. GROSS! Just my opinion.
Infection control and the nurse
Infection control is a very real concern in your hospital sieeting. I would agree cpap should be cleaned more often in a hospital setting.
In the home, however, there is a much less risk of these bugs.
IMHO, the risk is very slight unless you happen to bring home some of the pathogens.
I wrote earlier, perhaps flippantly, that I rarely clean my hose and assembly to my Breeze and clean the pillows only every 3 to 4 weeks.
BTW, what do you think was the most contaminated item in a hospotal setting that has the potential to spread bugs the most?? It is perhaps an over looked item. It is leading to many hospitals banning their usage in the hospital. Think about it. What item is frequently touched by docs and rarely cleaned?
HIS NECKTIE!!!!!
Bring this up to your infection control committee and see what they say.
In the home, however, there is a much less risk of these bugs.
IMHO, the risk is very slight unless you happen to bring home some of the pathogens.
I wrote earlier, perhaps flippantly, that I rarely clean my hose and assembly to my Breeze and clean the pillows only every 3 to 4 weeks.
BTW, what do you think was the most contaminated item in a hospotal setting that has the potential to spread bugs the most?? It is perhaps an over looked item. It is leading to many hospitals banning their usage in the hospital. Think about it. What item is frequently touched by docs and rarely cleaned?
HIS NECKTIE!!!!!
Bring this up to your infection control committee and see what they say.
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Sleeping With The Enemy
- Posts: 454
- Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 11:54 pm
- Location: Minnesota
Infection control is not just an issue in the hospital. It is an issue in the home as well. Think about how many people do not have a habit of washing their hands. Washing hands is the number one method of infection control.
Everything you touch has germs on it and yes you can get a little carried away trying to stay healthy. But washing your mask/humidifier takes only 3 minutes tops and its fresher to put on at night.
This is just my opinion, I'm not trying to say everyone should do this, but this is what I do. Its just like brushing my teeth, I feel fresher!!!
Everything you touch has germs on it and yes you can get a little carried away trying to stay healthy. But washing your mask/humidifier takes only 3 minutes tops and its fresher to put on at night.
This is just my opinion, I'm not trying to say everyone should do this, but this is what I do. Its just like brushing my teeth, I feel fresher!!!
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Howard Hughes
I must wash my mask at least 7 times per hour, whether I am using it or not. Not doing so, will cause me constant distraction and the inability to function. I must also eat exactly 18 peas with my dinner, arranged in 3 separate rows of 6 peas each going from the smallest to the largest pea.
Disclaimer: OCD is a serious mental disorder and not to be taken lightly. I had a brief (but serious) bout with it for about 2 years when I was younger. The above post is simply made in anticipation of 'The Aviator' sweeping all Oscars tonight at the MPAA ceremony. Original Guest (and others): Please ignore this post if you find it offensive.
Disclaimer: OCD is a serious mental disorder and not to be taken lightly. I had a brief (but serious) bout with it for about 2 years when I was younger. The above post is simply made in anticipation of 'The Aviator' sweeping all Oscars tonight at the MPAA ceremony. Original Guest (and others): Please ignore this post if you find it offensive.
ROFLHoward Hughes wrote:I must wash my mask at least 7 times per hour, whether I am using it or not. Not doing so, will cause me constant distraction and the inability to function. I must also eat exactly 18 peas with my dinner, arranged in 3 separate rows of 6 peas each going from the smallest to the largest pea.
Disclaimer: OCD is a serious mental disorder and not to be taken lightly. I had a brief (but serious) bout with it for about 2 years when I was younger. The above post is simply made in anticipation of 'The Aviator' sweeping all Oscars tonight at the MPAA ceremony. Original Guest (and others): Please ignore this post if you find it offensive.
Heated hose?
In anticipation of receiving my heated hose, how do you clean it?
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wading thru the muck!
- Posts: 2799
- Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 11:42 am
Mikesus,
I squirt a little soap in and fill it half full of hot water. Cover both ends with the palms of your hands and vigorously slosh it around. I rinse it out by putting one end on the faucet and letting water run through it until it's clean. Hang to dry (not in the bathroom).
I squirt a little soap in and fill it half full of hot water. Cover both ends with the palms of your hands and vigorously slosh it around. I rinse it out by putting one end on the faucet and letting water run through it until it's clean. Hang to dry (not in the bathroom).
Sincerely,
wading thru the muck of the sleep study/DME/Insurance money pit!
wading thru the muck of the sleep study/DME/Insurance money pit!
fill with vinegar
The soaking of the chamber every week is an elegant solution to a non-problem.
Why not just use distilled water and not have a problem at all?
Course it would take away the time from your prescribed ritual.
Bugs do not transfer from the water, even if by some strange miracle, they could ever be there in the first place.
The minerals will precipitate out from tap water though and must be removed at some point.
Excessive ritualistic cleaning may be an ocd in some cases.
Whynot just boil your nose in a pot of water every AM and evening?
Why not just use distilled water and not have a problem at all?
Course it would take away the time from your prescribed ritual.
Bugs do not transfer from the water, even if by some strange miracle, they could ever be there in the first place.
The minerals will precipitate out from tap water though and must be removed at some point.
Excessive ritualistic cleaning may be an ocd in some cases.
Whynot just boil your nose in a pot of water every AM and evening?
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littlebaddow
- Posts: 416
- Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2004 12:21 pm
- Location: Essex, England
Good point Heidi, and it's interesting to see everyone seems to have a different cleaning routine, but I guess that's true for every aspect of personal hygieneSleeping With The Enemy wrote: I can't imagine not cleaning the mask especially after breathing into it all night long. I know no one wakes up with the best smelling breath. I certainly don't want to go to bed the next night and put on a mask that stinks like morning breath.
In my case, I wash out the mask with warm soapy water whenever I notice the smell of bad morning breath, as you so eloquently put it which seems to be about every 4 or 5 days. I rinse the hose out with warm water about once a month and don't wash out the heated humidifier, I just refill it with distilled water when it runs out.
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| Machine | Mask | |
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Airsense 10 & Airfit N20
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Sleeping With The Enemy
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- Location: Minnesota