Various cleaning methods

Hi all- I've read a lot (on this board and just general internet searches) on cleaning CPAP. I'm also seeing people who have sinus issues or infections they say are caused from their CPAP. So, what is the best way and frequency to clean the CPAP parts? I've read soap and water, water and white vinegar, and those fancy sanitizing machines. Some say do it every day, others say once a week.... Right now, I'm using soap and water- mask every day, and the tubing once a week. My doctor or DME shop did not give any input on this so I'm purely going on what I'm reading. What do you do?

You are doing all that's necessary to do - soap & water wkly for the mask (tho' you could do it more often if you felt it needed it), but you're otherwise wasting time on the hoses - very many of us have not done them in yrs, decades, etc... no need at all unless there's something actually visible to you in them. And forget the machines (So Clean, etc), they're not only a waste of time but of money, and can even be harmful (ozone, etc).

lilou wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 14, 2018 9:48 am

What do you do?

Not much.
You asked so here is my non routine.
Hot soapy water....can't stand the stink of vinegar.

Hose...can't remember when I washed a hose and I think when I did it was to test for leaks because I caught the cat playing with it.

Nasal pillows...get washed when I think about it which isn't very often...maybe once a month.
Headgear and frame....get washed when I think about it which is usually when I think the headgear is starting to stretch out and need shrinking.
Water chamber...gets washed when I think about it....which isn't very often...maybe once a month.

Most of the supposed sinus infections are more likely from humidity settings that the nasal mucosa doesn't like or simply from catching an upper respiratory infection from either our kids or standing in line at the grocery store.

But....do whatever floats your boat and lets you sleep.
If the cpap machine/mask manufacturers thought that a special machine was needed (besides the normal soap and water that they recommend) don't you think that they would be selling it and touting high praises for what they offer?

The last sinus infection I got (2 years ago this month) was courtesy of the old lady coughing her lungs up with the flu in the one stall bathroom at the doctors office...so tiny bathroom and her germs went EVERYWHERE and landed on me.

Follow your manufacturers recommendations...soap and water

lilou wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 14, 2018 9:48 am

I'm also seeing people who have sinus issues or infections they say are caused from their CPAP.

These people are spouting nonsense.

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 14, 2018 10:00 am

lilou wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 14, 2018 9:48 am

What do you do?

Not much.

Tooth paste for the mask and rinsing the water container once a month.

I like my bugs and they like me...

Since CPAP I am way less frequently sick.

lilou wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 14, 2018 9:48 am

I'm also seeing people who have sinus issues or infections they say are caused from their CPAP.

People who don't know better are always quick to blame CPAP for *everything*...

Read this, and the studies that it points to:

https://www.verywellhealth.com/do-you-n ... in-4171650

esel wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 14, 2018 11:20 am

. . . I like my bugs and they like me...

Immunity is an amazing thing; but when we deprive it of challenges,
it may not work as well as expected.

I'm new to pap machines so this might get less frequent as I get comfortable but I wash my mask daily in warm water w dawn and I wash the headgear and hose every week w same method, warm water and dawn dish soap.

lilou wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 14, 2018 9:48 am

Hi all- I've read a lot (on this board and just general internet searches) on cleaning CPAP. I'm also seeing people who have sinus issues or infections they say are caused from their CPAP. So, what is the best way and frequency to clean the CPAP parts? I've read soap and water, water and white vinegar, and those fancy sanitizing machines. Some say do it every day, others say once a week.... Right now, I'm using soap and water- mask every day, and the tubing once a week. My doctor or DME shop did not give any input on this so I'm purely going on what I'm reading. What do you do?

Some light reading for you regarding your question.........

viewtopic.php?p=567264#p567264

Me? Like Pugsy.......not much......no schedule other than to rinse out my foam air intake filter twice a month. The rest is whenever I get around to it or think about it. The more you "clean" this stuff, the faster it wears out. My mask seals and headgear last for YEARS. I've never worn out or thrown away a hose. Still using my original hoses (13+ years). I've never "cleaned" a hose as I don't use heated humidity ( I use "passover"/cool humidity ) and I live in a low humidity area, so moisture evaporates quickly. I've only cleaned my HH tank a few times over the years and only if I've used other than distilled water in it for any length of time. I use Dawn dishwashing liquid or Coast bar soap on things like the mask seals and throw the headgear in with the laundry and wash in cool water.

If you really feel the need to clean your stuff more often, do it in the evening before bedtime and the residual moisture will be added to what is coming from the HH tank. No need to dry hoses that way......and there's no real need to clean them in the first place. The more you disconnect and clean the equipment, the more opportunity there is to allow impurities into your air circuit.


Den

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I frequently get sinus infections, so I clean my mask, nasal cushion, hose and humidifier container, with hot soapy water, every day. I then dry everything in a hurricane dryer. My sinus infections started way before CPAP, so that is not the cause. I'm just being extra vigilant.

dreamingofdreaming wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 14, 2018 2:18 pm

I frequently get sinus infections, so I clean my mask, nasal cushion, hose and humidifier container, with hot soapy water, every day. I then dry everything in a hurricane dryer. My sinus infections started way before CPAP, so that is not the cause. I'm just being extra vigilant.

I get way less sinus infections since starting CPAP, and I'm with pugsy and wulfman, weekly cleaning, at most on the mask (unless I sneezed or coughed in it and it looks icky), hose never, tank as needed., (Vinegar soak to rid it of mineral deposits).

To each their own.

Great to read your replies. I guess I'm generally doing fine then with the soap and water and schedule. I wasn't sure how obsessive I had to be with it all. Thx.

Wulfman... wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 14, 2018 2:12 pm

<snip>
I use Dawn dishwashing liquid or Coast bar soap on things like the mask seals and throw the headgear in with the laundry and wash in cool water.

i've read on here many times about dawn dish washing liquid, but this is the first i've noticed coast bar soap.

any reason for that particular brand or is that just what's in your house?

zonker wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 14, 2018 4:50 pm

Wulfman... wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 14, 2018 2:12 pm

<snip>
I use Dawn dishwashing liquid or Coast bar soap on things like the mask seals and throw the headgear in with the laundry and wash in cool water.

i've read on here many times about dawn dish washing liquid, but this is the first i've noticed coast bar soap.

any reason for that particular brand or is that just what's in your house?

I've mentioned it a few times. But, it was mainly just this year that I've experimented with it. I've used it as a hand soap for many years, but more recently tried it for cleaning my mask cushion. I find that it is very good at removing skin oils and when rinsed off, it leaves things squeaky clean.


Den

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