Cleaning Cpap Elbow problems

Hey guy!

so I would like to clean my cpap elbow. I have the QuietAir™ Elbow for Resmed masks like the F20.

Does anyone have a good way of cleaning the "inside" where those vent holes are? On the outside, its pretty easy with a toothbrush. However, the inside seems to be too deep for regular toothbush bristles to reach. Any ideas? what do you guys use?

Drop it into a glass of water--then drop in a Polident tablet.
Rinse well.
That stuff cleans like blazes--but is very MINTY.

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 17, 2022 12:08 pm

Drop it into a glass of water--then drop in a Polident tablet

Hmmm.
Interesting idea. Have you done that specifically with the Resmed mask elbows?
Your profiles says you're using a P10 (I know, mine says Bleep, but I alternate with a Resmed F30)

I've never done that - maybe I'll try.
BUT
Will try with more water per tablet, and then rinse very very very well.
There's a kind of foam in that elbow, which is why I'm wary..

Foam in the elbow?
Weird. Maybe dried mucus?
I have used polident to clear the mesh on the p10 frame.
I prefer the water pic, though, even though it's messy.

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 18, 2022 8:22 am

Foam in the elbow?
Weird. Maybe dried mucus?

Nope.

This is what the part looks like - on the easy cleaning side.
https://www.amazon.com/AirFit-F20-Repla ... B07Z28TSR8

Cleaning video; enter toothbrush:
https://youtu.be/vyCXhZQ-Kj4?t=17

Resmed is insane! (-ly greedy.)
That much abuse will destroy the mask in no time flat!
Stop doing that! The "foam" is probably damage caused by the toothbrush.
Only clean with SOFT things, like a Q-tip.
Or don't. Just a swish in sudsy water, followed by rinsing is plenty.

Spongy material.
There from the beginning.
The holes grow gradually narrower. You can see light through them when the elbow is new.

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 18, 2022 10:13 am

Stop doing that!

I don't do that.

My wife and I have both used the F20 mask for two or three years, and I have never cleaned one of the elbows, and we have never had one clog up on us. Once te quiet air elbows came out, we switched to them and used the for at least years. We did not change the mask frame or elbow during that time. We only changed the mask cushions and head gear.

Okie bipap wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 18, 2022 5:29 pm

and we have never had one clog up on us

As usual, how quickly equipment becomes clogged/dusty/slimy (have your pick of equipment and what happens to it) depends on the amounts and type of dust, pollution etc. in the air that come into and out of the cpap and the mask.

I always felt the p10 was the hardest to clean, with the multi level mesh screen.
My water pic cleans it like gangbusters!
The material plugging up those holes is a combination of moisture from your breath,
and lint, oil and flakes of your own skin.
Our skin is always shedding tiny flakes--all the time. It is perfectly normal.
(Ever seen Gattaca?)
BUT IT IS NOT FOAM.

Just to clarify:

I have seen and held and used this type of elbow, and I was not talking about what was clogging it when I said foam.

And now for ChunkyFrog's last word on this subject ---- I will let her have it, no matter what she says.

I pulled the foam out of the F20 elbow. It makes it easier if you cut the clear plastic a bit. There is thread somewhere on this procedure.
I felt more comfortable washing the F20 elbow after the foam was removed.
Then I try to blow it dry with an air mattress pump----a relatively inexpensive one!
Using a Water Pick is a great idea; thanks Chunky. I'll have to try it.

But the elbow was definitely slightly noisier after removing the foam.

Be careful ordering the elbow off Amazon. I ordered one (pair) (replacements) at a very reduced price and they came without anti-asphyxiation valves!