Baby soap vs baby wipes vs other soaps for cleaning CPAP equipment

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
CPAPQs4All
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Baby soap vs baby wipes vs other soaps for cleaning CPAP equipment

Post by CPAPQs4All » Tue Nov 22, 2022 9:54 pm

Hi I am looking for a cleaner for my CPAP mask.
I read on this forum that some people use baby wipes to clean the mask cushion, but I also want to clean inside the tubing.
ResMed advises against even mild dishwashing detergents, and suggests "soap and water", so I looked for baby soap, and found one that contains soap and glycerol.
Glycerol is not corrosive, from what I read, correct?
The soap I use for washing hands has EDTA-4Na, fragrance, milk oil, water, stearic acid, titanium oxide.
I cannot find Mask Bright in Japan, where I currently live.
I also read about people using diluted white vinegar.

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chunkyfrog
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Re: Baby soap vs baby wipes vs other soaps for cleaning CPAP equipment

Post by chunkyfrog » Tue Nov 22, 2022 10:55 pm

I use unscented, generic baby wipes on masks and parts--but not often.
Frequent washing damages silicone parts;
but hot water cleaning restores the stretch on p10 headgear.
Cleaning the inside of the tubing is not needed,
unless you want to wash a new tube before using.
I don't even do that.
I wash my tank when it is needed, like when science happens there.
8)

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Last edited by chunkyfrog on Tue Nov 22, 2022 11:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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palerider
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Re: Baby soap vs baby wipes vs other soaps for cleaning CPAP equipment

Post by palerider » Tue Nov 22, 2022 11:11 pm

CPAPQs4All wrote:
Tue Nov 22, 2022 9:54 pm
I also want to clean inside the tubing.
I don't bother, but hey, knock yourself out.
CPAPQs4All wrote:
Tue Nov 22, 2022 9:54 pm
ResMed advises against even mild dishwashing detergents,
because of the smell/scents use unscented detergent.
CPAPQs4All wrote:
Tue Nov 22, 2022 9:54 pm
fragrance,
As long as you don't mind smelling that fragrance all night long.

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CPAPQs4All
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Re: Baby soap vs baby wipes vs other soaps for cleaning CPAP equipment

Post by CPAPQs4All » Wed Nov 23, 2022 2:22 am

palerider wrote:
Tue Nov 22, 2022 11:11 pm
CPAPQs4All wrote:
Tue Nov 22, 2022 9:54 pm
I also want to clean inside the tubing.
I don't bother, but hey, knock yourself out.
CPAPQs4All wrote:
Tue Nov 22, 2022 9:54 pm
ResMed advises against even mild dishwashing detergents,
because of the smell/scents use unscented detergent.
CPAPQs4All wrote:
Tue Nov 22, 2022 9:54 pm
fragrance,
As long as you don't mind smelling that fragrance all night long.
So ResMed says don't use dishwashing detergents "as they may damage the mask or leave harmful residue."

What do you use?

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Julie
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Re: Baby soap vs baby wipes vs other soaps for cleaning CPAP equipment

Post by Julie » Wed Nov 23, 2022 5:31 am

I think really rinsing well would take care of mild detergent (Dawn) residue and scent maskwise, possibly with a swipe or pat at the end with just a paper towel.

You really, really do not need to wash the hoses... not only a waste of time but adds to 'wear and tear' over time.

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LSAT
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Re: Baby soap vs baby wipes vs other soaps for cleaning CPAP equipment

Post by LSAT » Wed Nov 23, 2022 6:11 am

Personally, I don't use anything. In the 14 years I have been using these machines, I have never put a drop of any soap in my hose....I have on occasion run hot water through it. I wipe my mask cushion daily with a baby wipe, and I wash it monthly with liquid hand soap.

KittyMom22
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Re: Baby soap vs baby wipes vs other soaps for cleaning CPAP equipment

Post by KittyMom22 » Wed Nov 23, 2022 6:53 am

You don't need very much soap to get suds. I wash everything - including the hose - in warm water and a very small amount of Dawn soap. There's no smell. It's fine.

I can only imagine what is going to grow inside the warm, moist environment of the hose if it's not washed. It's got all those nice, dark ridges.

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palerider
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Re: Baby soap vs baby wipes vs other soaps for cleaning CPAP equipment

Post by palerider » Wed Nov 23, 2022 1:42 pm

CPAPQs4All wrote:
Wed Nov 23, 2022 2:22 am
So ResMed says don't use dishwashing detergents "as they may damage the mask or leave harmful residue."

What do you use?
I used Dawn back when I could find the unscented. these days, I use Kirkland, but have to rinse it more thoroughly to get rid of the scent.

I used Dawn on a Resmed Mirage Quattro cushion that lasted me 5 years.. washing it every week with Dawn... I loved the fact that it didn't have any scent. :D

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palerider
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Re: Baby soap vs baby wipes vs other soaps for cleaning CPAP equipment

Post by palerider » Wed Nov 23, 2022 1:44 pm

KittyMom22 wrote:
Wed Nov 23, 2022 6:53 am
I can only imagine what is going to grow inside the warm, moist environment of the hose if it's not washed. It's got all those nice, dark ridges.
Imagination is a power, if frequently misguided, thing.

The "nice dark ridges" are on the *outside* of the hose, the inside is smooth.

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CPAPQs4All
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Re: Baby soap vs baby wipes vs other soaps for cleaning CPAP equipment

Post by CPAPQs4All » Wed Nov 23, 2022 4:57 pm

palerider wrote:
Wed Nov 23, 2022 1:42 pm
CPAPQs4All wrote:
Wed Nov 23, 2022 2:22 am
So ResMed says don't use dishwashing detergents "as they may damage the mask or leave harmful residue."

What do you use?
I used Dawn back when I could find the unscented. these days, I use Kirkland, but have to rinse it more thoroughly to get rid of the scent.

I used Dawn on a Resmed Mirage Quattro cushion that lasted me 5 years.. washing it every week with Dawn... I loved the fact that it didn't have any scent. :D
OK, thanks. So you clean once weekly. Some do daily, but that might be excessive. Each to his/her own I guess.

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palerider
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Re: Baby soap vs baby wipes vs other soaps for cleaning CPAP equipment

Post by palerider » Wed Nov 23, 2022 5:19 pm

CPAPQs4All wrote:
Wed Nov 23, 2022 4:57 pm
OK, thanks. So you clean once weekly. Some do daily, but that might be excessive.
I'd wipe the cushion with alcohol every day to remove facial oils.

I'd wash the mask and cushion weekly, more often if I actually *SEE* anything in it... (sneezed in it, etc).
CPAPQs4All wrote:
Wed Nov 23, 2022 4:57 pm
Each to his/her own I guess.
Sounds rather pass aggressive for someone asking for advice.

Do whatever you want, forget I said anything, have a nice day.

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CPAPQs4All
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Re: Baby soap vs baby wipes vs other soaps for cleaning CPAP equipment

Post by CPAPQs4All » Wed Nov 23, 2022 6:47 pm

palerider wrote:
Wed Nov 23, 2022 5:19 pm
CPAPQs4All wrote:
Wed Nov 23, 2022 4:57 pm
OK, thanks. So you clean once weekly. Some do daily, but that might be excessive.
I'd wipe the cushion with alcohol every day to remove facial oils.

I'd wash the mask and cushion weekly, more often if I actually *SEE* anything in it... (sneezed in it, etc).
CPAPQs4All wrote:
Wed Nov 23, 2022 4:57 pm
Each to his/her own I guess.
Sounds rather pass aggressive for someone asking for advice.

Do whatever you want, forget I said anything, have a nice day.
No, I meant there seems to be a lot of variation depending on preference. Not judging at all (you initially said you washed the cushion every week, and I wondered if cleaning daily might be excessive, so if anything I was agreeing with you! :) ). Thanks for your input. I appreciate it.

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palerider
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Re: Baby soap vs baby wipes vs other soaps for cleaning CPAP equipment

Post by palerider » Wed Nov 23, 2022 8:23 pm

CPAPQs4All wrote:
Wed Nov 23, 2022 6:47 pm
palerider wrote:
Wed Nov 23, 2022 5:19 pm
CPAPQs4All wrote:
Wed Nov 23, 2022 4:57 pm
OK, thanks. So you clean once weekly. Some do daily, but that might be excessive.
I'd wipe the cushion with alcohol every day to remove facial oils.

I'd wash the mask and cushion weekly, more often if I actually *SEE* anything in it... (sneezed in it, etc).
CPAPQs4All wrote:
Wed Nov 23, 2022 4:57 pm
Each to his/her own I guess.
Sounds rather pass aggressive for someone asking for advice.

Do whatever you want, forget I said anything, have a nice day.
No, I meant there seems to be a lot of variation depending on preference. Not judging at all (you initially said you washed the cushion every week, and I wondered if cleaning daily might be excessive, so if anything I was agreeing with you! :) ). Thanks for your input. I appreciate it.
My apologies for misinterpreting you.

I, and many other longer timers here, feel that the standard "clean everything every day like your life depends on it" is excessive, and likely does lead to premature wear and premature failure of the "consumables", of course, it's in the DMEs best interest for you to tear up stuff.... because you'll buy more.

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