Some CPAP mask cleaning questions

I have some CPAP cleaning questions. I have a F&P Simplus full-face mask.

1. Are you supposed to clean the mask frame (not the cushion part, but the part that has the butterfly chute and the elbow)? My DME supplier doesn't list this part as necessary to be cleaned. See my pic below:



2. Does the elbow detach from the mask frame?

3. Does the cushion detach from the mask (not from the mask frame, but from the plastic rigid mask itself, the part which attaches to the mask frame)?

4. My cushion turned white when I soaked it in soapy water for a few hours, then in clean water for a few hours (see my pic below). It is supposed to be translucent. I used to just dab soap on the cushion and hand wash quickly, but then there was a soapy smell when I put it on at night. So I started soaking.



What should I do?

1..Not "necessary", but how could cleaning hurt?
2..No
3..No
4..Baby Wipes Nightly...Unscented soap as often as you like

Hard water crud.
Removal--next to impossible.
Don't do that again.

You can always try the old standard vinegar soak...rinse extremely well if you don't like the remaining odor.

If that doesn't work..
Do you have a spare cushion available in case trying to get the white stuff off this cushion causes something bad to happen?

Where you live is the water hard or have a high mineral content?
I assume you used tap water to soak in?
If yes to these questions..

If you have a spare you can try the baking soda and boiling thing.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=74686&st=0&sk=t&sd= ... il+cushion
BUT
you have to use distilled water to boil in and distilled water to rinse with.

crab-legs wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 14, 2019 1:41 am

I have some CPAP cleaning questions. I have a F&P Simplus full-face mask.

1. Are you supposed to clean the mask frame (not the cushion part, but the part that has the butterfly chute and the elbow)? My DME supplier doesn't list this part as necessary to be cleaned. See my pic below:



2. Does the elbow detach from the mask frame?

3. Does the cushion detach from the mask (not from the mask frame, but from the plastic rigid mask itself, the part which attaches to the mask frame)?

4. My cushion turned white when I soaked it in soapy water for a few hours, then in clean water for a few hours (see my pic below). It is supposed to be translucent. I used to just dab soap on the cushion and hand wash quickly, but then there was a soapy smell when I put it on at night. So I started soaking.

If it smells soapy, you haven't rinsed it was well as it needs.

clean things whenever you think it looks like it needs it. don't obsess.

I am such a clean freak.
I usually think about weather I should have cleaned my CPAP stuff just after I have replaced it. Although with my water chamber I have been known to swish some water in it on rare occasions.

LSAT wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 14, 2019 4:56 am

1..Not "necessary", but how could cleaning hurt?
2..No
3..No
4..Baby Wipes Nightly...Unscented soap as often as you like

1. Well cleaning the mask frame could hurt in that it could turn it white, like it did to my mask cushion. Or the soap and tap water residue could damage the delicate buttefly chute?? I am worried that since the same humid air goes through my hose and made it smell one time, it could also make the mask frame smelly and moldy.

4. Good advice! I do try to wash it immediately in the morning though, to not let the germs and skin oil absorb into the cushion all day and deteriorate the rubber cushion. I don't know if that really happens, but why chance it.

Thanks everyone for your replies!

UPDATE: I soaked the cushion in water and vinegar last night, and rinsed it off with tap water. It is now back to its normal translucent color, and almost no vinegary smell when I used it!

crab-legs wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 14, 2019 12:11 pm

LSAT wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 14, 2019 4:56 am

1..Not "necessary", but how could cleaning hurt?
2..No
3..No
4..Baby Wipes Nightly...Unscented soap as often as you like

1. Well cleaning the mask frame could hurt in that it could turn it white, like it did to my mask cushion. Or the soap and tap water residue could damage the delicate buttefly chute?? I am worried that since the same humid air goes through my hose and made it smell one time, it could also make the mask frame smelly and moldy.
cushion. I don't know if that really happens, but why chance it.

1 no, it's not made of silicone.

palerider wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 14, 2019 2:08 pm

crab-legs wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 14, 2019 12:11 pm

LSAT wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 14, 2019 4:56 am

1..Not "necessary", but how could cleaning hurt?
2..No
3..No
4..Baby Wipes Nightly...Unscented soap as often as you like

1. Well cleaning the mask frame could hurt in that it could turn it white, like it did to my mask cushion. Or the soap and tap water residue could damage the delicate buttefly chute?? I am worried that since the same humid air goes through my hose and made it smell one time, it could also make the mask frame smelly and moldy.
cushion. I don't know if that really happens, but why chance it.

1 no, it's not made of silicone.

Thanks palerider. But the plastic part of the mask frame might become white or cloudy, since tap water caused build up on my water tray, which is also clear plastic??

crab-legs wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 14, 2019 2:40 pm

palerider wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 14, 2019 2:08 pm

crab-legs wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 14, 2019 12:11 pm

LSAT wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 14, 2019 4:56 am

1..Not "necessary", but how could cleaning hurt?
2..No
3..No
4..Baby Wipes Nightly...Unscented soap as often as you like

1. Well cleaning the mask frame could hurt in that it could turn it white, like it did to my mask cushion. Or the soap and tap water residue could damage the delicate buttefly chute?? I am worried that since the same humid air goes through my hose and made it smell one time, it could also make the mask frame smelly and moldy.
cushion. I don't know if that really happens, but why chance it.

1 no, it's not made of silicone.

Thanks palerider. But the plastic part of the mask frame might become white or cloudy, since tap water caused build up on my water tray, which is also clear plastic??

Does everything else your water touches turn cloudy? Pots, pans, dishes, silverware, your lawn, people?

Your water tank has mineral deposits because water is evaporated from it, leaving the minerals behind, soak it in vinegar.

Does everything else your water touches turn cloudy? Pots, pans, dishes, silverware, your lawn, people?

Yes, I think I turned white after bathing in water. Or was that before.
My lawn turned white or was that after I stopped putting water on it.
Glassware, yes, frequent water spots.
Oh, well, you get the idea.

If the vinegar smell bothers you, eat a nice Claussen right before bed.
Not Henry Claussen, though.