Washing Headgear?

In your opinion, what's the best way to wash CPAP headgear? I've been washing it by hand with soap and water for the past month or so but I was wondering if it is ok to just toss it in the laundry machine with all my other clothes. Also, how frequently do you all wash your headgear?

light_sleeper wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 28, 2019 11:06 am

In your opinion, what's the best way to wash CPAP headgear? I've been washing it by hand with soap and water for the past month or so but I was wondering if it is ok to just toss it in the laundry machine with all my other clothes. Also, how frequently do you all wash your headgear?

I used to wash mine with Dawn liquid dish soap in a plastic bucket, but for the last number of years have just put them in the washing machine with other clothes on a warm or cool cycle. If the headgear has Velcro, make sure it's stuck together before washing it, otherwise the "hook" part of the Velcro can fill with fibers......and then would have to be picked or scratched out.
My headgear lasts for YEARS.......along with my cushions/seals, hoses and other parts. I also use homemade fleece strap covers, which I believe help to add longevity to the headgear.


Den

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The most important variable when washing anything that's stretchy or has some elastic in it is (a) temperature and (b) time at that temperature.

The point about handwash is you can control the temperature – keep it at hand temperature (37º C) or below – and you can limit the length of time it is at that temperature. The shorter the time, the better.

The headgear I use, the makers say once a week is usually sufficient. I act on what they say.

I like to zip them up into a lingerie bag, and tossing it in with the underwear.
It can machine dry with the same load. Perm press cycle.
Hand washing: Dawn and hot water in a good-size plastic jar--shake like mad,
Drain, squeeze, rinse a couple times--more shaking, of course.
Quick dry: roll up in a clean dry bath towel, and stomp on it.
Finish drying the one you need NOW with a hairdryer.

I wash my headgear inside a mesh bag in slightly warm cycle of a normal washing machine using regular laundry detergent along with other laundry items.
However, I never run the washes headgear through my dryer cycle for fear that the heat will be bad for the stretchy fabric and the velcro. I dry it suspended in front of
a household fan at room temperature. This set of headgear (ResMed) has lasted over two years and has never stretched out of dimension.

TheDuke

Dr. Bronner's Peppermint, in a large (and gorgeous) ceramic bowl.

**Though sometimes I am at a location that I have to just use Dr. Bronner's in / with what ever method (bowl / spigot) is at hand.

~~~everything is better when washed in castile peppermint soap

I'm like Froggie…. I use a lingerie bag.... but I don't throw them in with my underwear. Ewww! If I did that, I would lie awake thinking about it! Seriously, I throw them in with shirts and such with the lingerie bag. No problem.

Sheriff