Cleaning Routine - Asking for a New Member

Hey, I have a very easy and effective cleaning routine. However, I believe in the power of the group in answering questions like this. Please help. Thanks.

What is an easier way to clean my current CPAP I have?? Right now, I take the hose off and run water through it and I wash the face mask in soapy warm water, then I hang it over the shower rod to let it dry. I am not really sure about how to take care of the CPAP machine. I feel like an idiot.

Well, a lot of idiots here finally smartened up and no longer wash the hose - only air ever goes thru it and unless you see something real inside, I wouldn't bother at all. Other than that... change filters on schedule and/or rinse those rinsable weekly.

I always get to do a good eye roll for people who are adamant about cleaning stuff religiously and then they hang stuff in the bathroom to dry.....dirtiest room in the house.

Does your friend really want the easiest way to actually clean or the easiest way to manage as in my favorite which is do nothing because for me that's the easiest?

I don't wash the hose ...ever.
The mask...depends on which mask but I haven't washed a mask yet this year.

Tell your friend to do (or not do) whatever makes him/her happy.

ChicagoGranny wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 30, 2022 6:02 pm

What is an easier way to clean my current CPAP I have?? Right now, I take the hose off and run water through IT.

Do not run water through the CPAP machine. Ever.

JPB

ChicagoGranny wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 30, 2022 6:02 pm

Hey, I have a very easy and effective cleaning routine. However, I believe in the power of the group in answering questions like this. Please help. Thanks.

What is an easier way to clean my current CPAP I have?? Right now, I take the hose off and run water through it and I wash the face mask in soapy warm water, then I hang it over the shower rod to let it dry. I am not really sure about how to take care of the CPAP machine. I feel like an idiot.

Good Grief!!!

learn to use the forum Search function in the upper left corner of the screen.

https://www.cpaptalk.com/search.php?key ... mit=Search

There's really nothing else to "clean" if you clean/change your intake filter, use distilled water and occasionally dump and rinse the humidifier tank and also occasionally clean your mask and headgear.

I'm a minimalist......always have been.

Den

.

Here is my cleaning routine.

1. Never wash the hose. Only clean, filtered air goes through it. I've used a single hose for years without washing it. The connector ends may accumulate body oil from handling them. These can be wiped down occasionally.

2. No need to clean the CPAP machine except for dusting it off.

3. Every morning, I wipe down the mask with alcohol swabs. These are the little swabs that are found in the diabetic supply section of the pharmacy. I concentrate on wiping down the body oils from the parts of the mask that touch the face.

4. Only use distilled water in the humidifier tank. Top it up every night. About once per week, dump the water and inspect the tank. If there is anything in it, wash it in dishwashing soap and water.

Julie wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 30, 2022 6:27 pm

Well, a lot of idiots here finally smartened up and no longer wash the hose - only air ever goes thru it and unless you see something real inside, I wouldn't bother at all. Other than that... change filters on schedule and/or rinse those rinsable weekly.

Hold the phone Julie! Every DME, YouTube Expert, and Know it All says you HAVE TO WASH THE HOSE with soap and water ( or MaskBrite ) Once a Week! Are they crazy, or just have some other motivation?

I do wash the masks once a month, and wipe down with baby wipes once a day. Necessary? I thought you could not use anything alcohol based on the silicone but baby wipes are supposed to work fine. To be honest they don't look that dirty.

My Brevida mask does get water drops inside (dreamware does not so not sure why) and I run the mask test to blow out the water. I also empty the humidifier every day to dry. I don't think it is a good idea to let the water sit around all day but I may be wrong. I mean for Pete's Sake, the distilled water is sitting in the gallon jug all week so it can't be that bad right?

I never wash my hose

Every two weeks or so I wash my humidifier and mask in hot soapy water

I use tap water, dump it every night. If I start to notice any mineral buildup, I soak in 50/50 Vinegar and water, then wash in. That's probably every six months.

SJ-Paddler wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 31, 2022 6:15 am

Every DME, YouTube Expert, and Know it All says you HAVE TO WASH THE HOSE with soap and water ( or MaskBrite ) Once a Week! Are they crazy,

Debatable.

SJ-Paddler wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 31, 2022 6:15 am

or just have some other motivation?

Yes, somewhere between CYA and wanting to sell you more hoses because you poked a hole in the current one with the incessant washing.

SJ-Paddler wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 31, 2022 6:15 am

I thought you could not use anything alcohol based on the silicone

Alcohol has no effect on silicone. *OIL* can lead to breakdown of silicone, (I haven't been able to find any actual data about facial oils though) and alcohol nicely removes oils.

I wash my tank only when it appears to be sustaining life.
Otherwise, I do nothing, except dust the blower and change filters.
It works for me.
Do as much as makes you happy.
If what other people do or not do bothers you, please refrain from preaching.
Nobody listens.

This is what I do.

I don't need the water tank because, I don't need humidity. I don't need the heated hose. I use the slimline hose.

everyday when I'm done using my cpap. the hose, mask frame, and cushion from my F 30i go in warm soapy water for 30 minutes. I rinse with warm water. I also clean my mask cushion with mask brite. I let everything drip for one hour. hose and frame and cushion go in my hurricane dryer. I been on cpap treatment for 7 months now. I'm still using the same hose and head gear. I replaced my frame once already. I like to get 3 months out of one cushion. filters. I change them once a month. rinse and save the old ones when I go camping. when its time to use my cpap again. my air smells nice and clean. its cheaper and makes more sense for me to keep my cpap clean. its helping me improve my health. dirty cpap is a recipe to see a doctor for medical treatment. what ever you do its your body.

My water is HARD.
Soaking any cpap accessory in this water leaves a stubborn film of crud.
I tried it--ONCE.
Once was enough for me.

I'm a newbie and learning. I assume that those of you that say you don't wash your hose don't use humidity? Wouldn't humidity cause issues if not cleaned?

Nine8Central wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 04, 2022 1:20 pm

I'm a newbie and learning. I assume that those of you that say you don't wash your hose don't use humidity? Wouldn't humidity cause issues if not cleaned?

No....I use the humidity set to 8 which is the maximum and I don't wash the hose.
And why would it cause issues to use humidity and not wash the hose?

My ResMed machine continues to blow air (at a low pressure) through the hose for about 30 minutes after I take the mask off.
Part of the "cool down" routine which is designed to dry out the hose.

Your dealer (DME) could care less if you wet everything down
and hang it 3 feet away from the TOILET until nightfall.
If you get sick, it's not their department.
If parts wear out due to over-handling, it's like money in the bank--their bank.