Gear cleaning advice?

tsduke · Post by **tsduke** » Tue Aug 13, 2019 2:53 pm

As I'm getting into the swing of the cpap world I'm curious about cleaning. Any advice on how to clean? How often. I know all the differnet parts come with mfg recommendations, but wondering about real world and if it needs done as often as they say. I know it's somewhat subjective as some us are dirtier than others. I'm finding cleaning to be a bit of a pita. Not so much the cleaning itself but doing so early enought to allow dry time before bedtime.

I wont bring of that auto cleaning device thingy. I've searched the forums enough to see that's not a good topic.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Tue Aug 13, 2019 3:22 pm

Cleaning or not cleaning or frequency is just about as hot of a topic as the NoClean device which doesn't clean anyway.
At best it nukes the dirt and grime so it's sterile.

Cleaning routines vary as much as there are people doing the cleaning.
Doesn't really matter what I do or what the next person does though....it only matters what you are comfortable doing or not doing.
So huge YMMV sticker on this one.

If you are curious as to what I do...and I have been on cpap for over 10 years now.
This is my routine or non routine depending on how you look at things.

Mask frame ...I might wash it every month or two if I think about it. Bear in mind that the mask I am now using is the Bleep and the part of the mask that touches my nose gets discarded every morning.
But back even when I was using nasal pillows...doing good to wash them once a month. Only time I might wash more often was if I had a cold and a snotty nose.
Headgear back when I used it (don't have any headgear now) every couple of months but only because I needed to shrink it a bit...it got stretched out a bit. P10 nasal pillow...headgear would get stretched out and be too loose.

Hose...the long hose...can't remember the last time I washed one.

Water chamber....gets a washing in hot soapy water every month or two when I think about it....which isn't all that often.

What soap do I use? Whatever I have handy...usually either Dawn dish soap or maybe a little hand soap if I have any handy.

I am quite comfortable with my non routine. When I first started therapy I did the once a week thing for everything but that got old real fast. After about 4 months I slipped into my non routine.

Bear in mind that I am generally healthy. Nothing wrong with my immune system...rarely even get a cold so my own germs don't bother me too much. If my immune system was compromised or I had other health issues where I was at risk...I would go about things a little differently just to be on the safe side.

gv280z · Post by **gv280z** » Tue Aug 13, 2019 3:35 pm

I wash and dry my full face mask nightly usually about an hour or so before bed, using dish soap (dawn) and hot water.

Frame never, water chamber and hose occasionally, every 2 or 3 months.

Starting 3rd year of cpap and healthy, got bronchitis once this year but also had before ever starting cpap so I dont think it's related. Rarely get colds.

Dog Slobber · Post by **Dog Slobber** » Tue Aug 13, 2019 3:43 pm

tsduke wrote: ↑
Tue Aug 13, 2019 2:53 pm

I wont bring of that auto cleaning device thingy. I've searched the forums enough to see that's not a good topic.

I like you already.

I wipe my nasal pillows most mornings with a non-alcohol, fragrance free baby wipe. Costco Kirkland brand.

I wash my humidifier and mask in hot soapy [Dawn] water dawn every 2 weeks - month or so. I haven't washed my hose in months. I use tap water in my humidifier which I fill and empty nightly. After cleaning, I spin mask to get rid of excess moisture then put on device and run Mask Fit to blow out any remaining water, If I don't get it all, I'm not concerned.

How often you clean your gear should be to your comfort level
Typically all pathogens pithing your CPAP equipment came from you and you've already been exposed to them.
Numerous studies have been posted here that suggest bacteria cultures are NOT transferred from CPAP equipment to patient
Excessive watching can contribute to equipment wearing down

My tank and hose are original from March 2018. I've had two colds, both of which I likely caught from family members who had had symptoms prior to me.

jimbud · Post by **jimbud** » Tue Aug 13, 2019 3:58 pm

Dog Slobber wrote: ↑
Tue Aug 13, 2019 3:43 pm

[*]Excessive watching can contribute to equipment wearing down.
[/list]

jimbud writes:

I know you meant washing.
Reads pretty funny if you are bent like me.

Don't hate me for being me.

JPB

Dog Slobber · Post by **Dog Slobber** » Tue Aug 13, 2019 4:03 pm

jimbud wrote: ↑
Tue Aug 13, 2019 3:58 pm

Dog Slobber wrote: ↑
Tue Aug 13, 2019 3:43 pm

Excessive watching can contribute to equipment wearing down.

jimbud writes:

I know you meant washing.
Reads pretty funny if you are bent like me.

Don't hate me for being me.

JPB

LOL, reminds me of the story of getting all orange stained while watching erm.... certain movies and eating cheesies.

tsduke · Post by **tsduke** » Tue Aug 13, 2019 4:15 pm

Thanks all! That's actually quite helpful. I realize every situation is different, but was hoping I would be okay find my own happy medium. The biggest thing I found unnecassary was the weekly cleaning of headgear.

Sheriff Buford · Post by **Sheriff Buford** » Thu Aug 15, 2019 3:28 am

I use a baby wipe and I wipe my cushion down every morning. Like Pugs, I wash the cushion maybe.... once a month. Don't need to wash the hose. I don't use the humidifier, I don't have to mess with the tub.

Sheriff

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Thu Aug 15, 2019 6:39 pm

tsduke wrote: ↑
Tue Aug 13, 2019 4:15 pm
Thanks all! That's actually quite helpful. I realize every situation is different, but was hoping I would be okay find my own happy medium. The biggest thing I found unnecassary was the weekly cleaning of headgear.

I tended to wipe down the cushion every day, to remove facial oils, and then clean the mask whenever it looked like it needed it.

Could be after one day if I'd had a sneezing fit or something... or longer, if I hadn't. anytime there was any *noticeable* debris... I'd clean it.

zonker · Post by **zonker** » Thu Aug 15, 2019 7:33 pm

palerider wrote: ↑
Thu Aug 15, 2019 6:39 pm

tsduke wrote: ↑
Tue Aug 13, 2019 4:15 pm
Thanks all! That's actually quite helpful. I realize every situation is different, but was hoping I would be okay find my own happy medium. The biggest thing I found unnecassary was the weekly cleaning of headgear.
I tended to wipe down the cushion every day, to remove facial oils, and then clean the mask whenever it looked like it needed it.

Could be after one day if I'd had a sneezing fit or something... or longer, if I hadn't. anytime there was any *noticeable* debris... I'd clean it.

it's interesting that you say that. or coincidental or something.

took off my p10 this morning and was giving it the old unscented baby wipe wipe (heh) when i noticed, well, SOMETHING in the mask between the two layers. got a q tip and got it out and went on my way.

i just know there are people reading this post whom i just caused to shudder.

babydinosnoreless · Post by **babydinosnoreless** » Thu Aug 15, 2019 8:19 pm

zonker wrote: ↑
Thu Aug 15, 2019 7:33 pm

palerider wrote: ↑
Thu Aug 15, 2019 6:39 pm

tsduke wrote: ↑
Tue Aug 13, 2019 4:15 pm
Thanks all! That's actually quite helpful. I realize every situation is different, but was hoping I would be okay find my own happy medium. The biggest thing I found unnecassary was the weekly cleaning of headgear.
I tended to wipe down the cushion every day, to remove facial oils, and then clean the mask whenever it looked like it needed it.

Could be after one day if I'd had a sneezing fit or something... or longer, if I hadn't. anytime there was any *noticeable* debris... I'd clean it.
it's interesting that you say that. or coincidental or something.

took off my p10 this morning and was giving it the old unscented baby wipe wipe (heh) when i noticed, well, SOMETHING in the mask between the two layers. got a q tip and got it out and went on my way.

i just know there are people reading this post whom i just caused to shudder.

Oh yeah !

I am immune compromised. I wash my mask cushion every 2-3 days. Wipe it down with rubbing alcohol between. Also wipe off the plastic parts with the alcohol. I probably wash my hose once a month. Maybe a little less since it is such a pain.

zonker · Post by **zonker** » Thu Aug 15, 2019 9:02 pm

babydinosnoreless wrote: ↑
Thu Aug 15, 2019 8:19 pm

Oh yeah ! I am immune compromised. I wash my mask cushion every 2-3 days. Wipe it down with rubbing alcohol between. Also wipe off the plastic parts with the alcohol. I probably wash my hose once a month. Maybe a little less since it is such a pain.

as i continually harp on, we are all different. and that includes whether we futz around cleaning gear or not. fortunately, i'm not immune compromised, so i can be a typically pig type of guy and let all that cleaning go.

Wulfman... · Post by **Wulfman...** » Thu Aug 15, 2019 9:07 pm

tsduke wrote: ↑
Tue Aug 13, 2019 2:53 pm
As I'm getting into the swing of the cpap world I'm curious about cleaning. Any advice on how to clean? How often. I know all the differnet parts come with mfg recommendations, but wondering about real world and if it needs done as often as they say. I know it's somewhat subjective as some us are dirtier than others. I'm finding cleaning to be a bit of a pita. Not so much the cleaning itself but doing so early enought to allow dry time before bedtime.

I wont bring of that auto cleaning device thingy. I've searched the forums enough to see that's not a good topic.

Virtually all the answers to all the questions have been asked and answered before.
Example:

viewtopic.php?p=567264#p567264

Den

.

babydinosnoreless · Post by **babydinosnoreless** » Thu Aug 15, 2019 10:06 pm

zonker wrote: ↑
Thu Aug 15, 2019 9:02 pm

babydinosnoreless wrote: ↑
Thu Aug 15, 2019 8:19 pm

Oh yeah ! I am immune compromised. I wash my mask cushion every 2-3 days. Wipe it down with rubbing alcohol between. Also wipe off the plastic parts with the alcohol. I probably wash my hose once a month. Maybe a little less since it is such a pain.
as i continually harp on, we are all different. and that includes whether we futz around cleaning gear or not. fortunately, i'm not immune compromised, so i can be a typically pig type of guy and let all that cleaning go.

My husband may be more of a clean freak than I am. I am sure he would have shuddered too.

Cleaning is definitely one of those YMMV sticker items.

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Fri Aug 16, 2019 8:21 am

I clean my mask frame when the screen is cruddy.
I wash my headgear when my leak rate goes up.
I clean the tank when I see floaties or it feels slimy in the bottom.
I replace the filter every 3 weeks--it gets a tad gray by then.
I never clean the hose. By the time it gets gnarly--replacement time.
Sometimes I dust the machine.
Once I popped the outer shell off so I could take a mr clean magic eraser to the grungy spots.

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