Mask cleaning for traded masks?

RosemaryB · Post by **RosemaryB** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 6:52 am

Here's a quote from another thread asking about mask cleaning for traded masks.

[quote="Croupier"]Basically you are on your own for ensuring mask cleanliness. Right now there are no good compilations of cleaning ideas that I know of. I use heavily diluted chlorine, followed by a vinegar soak, followed by a soap wash but I don't really know whether that is enough.

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 7:17 am

I just do my normal cleaning. Wash in dawn dishwashing liquid, rinse well, soak in vinegar and water solution for 15 minutes, rinse very well. I don't see the need to do more than that.

Brenda

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 7:35 am

I asked my rt about cidex. She said nobody uses it anymore because everyone has autoclaves etc now. She said it is strong stuff. Cpap.com carries a kit for disinfecting masks for multiple users. I ordered it for trade masks but haven't used it yet. I'll let you know how it goes.

Jen

Hambone · Post by **Hambone** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 7:48 am

this should answer your questions:

http://www.safety.vanderbilt.edu/pdf/hc ... _06_05.pdf

The healthcare field uses cidex as a disinfectant for scopes.

If your really concerned a capfull of bleach in a gallon of water for a 10 min soak will kill everything except maybe the toughest spore.

Honestly, a good soap and water scrub/soak is sufficient.

Hope this helps.

abysmillard · Post by **abysmillard** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 8:16 am

Cidex OPA is, among other things, an irritant to the respiratory system in its liquid form (not a problem after it drys). I remember that a clinic I worked in stopped using Cidex because we didn't have adequate ventilation to use it without causing problems for sensitive individuals. It's a good disinfectant in a clinic or hospital setting, but I wouldn't have it in my house! I'd go with the bleach.

RosemaryB · Post by **RosemaryB** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 8:21 am

Thanks for the info about Cidex. I don't use toxic cleaners with the exception of bleach occasionally, so I certainly wouldn't want to use it on my mask! I'm comfortable with the idea of vinegar, soap, water and perhaps a small amount of bleach for traded masks. The vinegar, soap, and water is what I use to clean my mask and humidifier (occasionally).

RosemaryB · Post by **RosemaryB** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 8:24 am

[quote="socknitster"]I asked my rt about cidex. She said nobody uses it anymore because everyone has autoclaves etc now. She said it is strong stuff. Cpap.com carries a kit for disinfecting masks for multiple users. I ordered it for trade masks but haven't used it yet. I'll let you know how it goes.

Jen

John_M · Post by **John_M** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 8:26 am

RosemaryB wrote: ...
I have 3 questions:

Where do you get Cidex OPA and what's in it?

What do others use for mask cleaning if you get a mask from another person?

Thanks Rosemary for starting this thread. I have been wanting to clear up my own ideas on mask cleaning for a while.

So I have started working on a Sleep Apnea Wiki article on Mask Cleaning. Its at http://sleepapnea.wikia.com/wiki/Mask_Cleaning.

You and others are invited to get into the act and help improve the article.

Some answers to your questions are already on it.

John M

greyhound · Post by **greyhound** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 8:32 am

The Control III product that cpap.com carries looks like it does everything you would want it to do.

oceanpearl · Post by **oceanpearl** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 9:42 am

What could possibly be in a mask that a mixture of 1/3 vinegar and two thirds water couldn't kill??? That's all that I have ever used wash in "original" Dawn and soak in the vinegar mix for 45 minutes and then just flush the hose for a couple of minutes and soak mask the in clear water for about 10 minutes.
My gear has never smelled like vinegar.
In my opinion the hose would be the biggest cleaning problem.

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): hose

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 10:35 am

oceanpearl wrote:What could possibly be in a mask that a mixture of 1/3 vinegar and two thirds water couldn't kill??? That's all that I have ever used wash in "original" Dawn and soak in the vinegar mix for 45 minutes and then just flush the hose for a couple of minutes and soak mask the in clear water for about 10 minutes.
My gear has never smelled like vinegar.
In my opinion the hose would be the biggest cleaning problem.

Well, I have a degree in biology so I happen to know that there are plenty of bugs (bacteria, virus, mold spores) that can resist an acid environment (vinegar). A lot of bacteria can encapsulate themselves in a hard "shell" so to speak and then reactivate when warm, moist conditions reappear.

I know I'm a bit over the top about it, but spend a few years growing cultures in "sterile" conditons and have all kinds of crazy bacteria/molds manage to infect your cultures anyway and you will develop a bit of a complex about it!

Considering the air flowing thru the mask will be coming into contact with the lungs which could be vulnerable, I think it pays to be careful. I'm sure no one here has any scary diseases, but you know there are things that you may have immunity to that I don't and I wouldn't want to risk even getting a common cold unnecessarily.

I have a weird medical history considering my strange allergies etc so I don't think I can be too cautious about bringing in a new twist.

Plus, a friend of mine has chronic fatigue syndrome and yikes, I wouldn't want that--it is a virus, no antibiotic is going to cure her of that.

I'll report on the cpap.com disinfectant. I would rather use something that is medical grade and made for this kind of eqpt than bleach since all the mask info says to avoid it.

JMHO! Take it or leave it. Do what works for you!

Jen[/quote]

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 10:55 am

I WAS just soaking masks for a few hours in a strong soapy solution of Dr. Bronner's. Now I'm doing the vinegar soak, too. I wash the mask with Castile soap (Dr. Bronner's or Trader Joe's), then put it into a basin with a 1/4 white distilled vinegar, 3/4 hottest tap water solution, and soak for a couple of hours. Timing varies. I usually just leave it there until I want to use the sink for something else. 3-4 hours. If seriously concerned, I guess you could leave it over night.

Edited to add: After soaking, I rinse well, then wash again in Castile soap to kill the vinegar smell, and rinse thoroughly. Air dry. I have found that a faint vinegar smell still lingers for a few days in the hose, but I can deal with it, and it does dissipate after a few days.

One thing I've wondered about - users of silicone sex toys are encouraged to boil their toys for 10 minutes. Does not hurt the silicone, does not mishape it, and sterilizes it. I think a short boil of a silicone seal would NOT hurt it, but I haven't felt the need to try it yet. I know some forum members are certain that boiling seals will destroy them. I'd like to hear from someone whose tried the procedure.

No infections yet from any masks I've bought or traded for.

Cheers,
B.

lvwildcat · Post by **lvwildcat** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 11:21 am

Cidex is extremely irritating and contains a very high percentage of bleach. So I would say don't use it!! I have gotten 3 masks by private sale/trades. I soak them in johnsons baby wash for about 30 minutes and then soak for an additional 45minutes-1 hour in 1 part distilled vinegar to 3 parts water.When I had traded full face masks I wasn't as neurotic(not that I'm really neurotic)but since I use an Oracle I am much more thorough with initial cleaning when I get even a very "gently used" mask

oceanpearl · Post by **oceanpearl** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 11:46 am

Babette wrote:I

One thing I've wondered about - users of silicone sex toys are encouraged to boil their toys for 10 minutes. Does not hurt the silicone, does not mishape it, and sterilizes it. I think a short boil of a silicone seal would NOT hurt it, but I haven't felt the need to try it yet. I know some forum members are certain that boiling seals will destroy them. I'd like to hear from someone whose tried the procedure.

No infections yet from any masks I've bought or traded for.

Cheers,
B.

__YOU MEAN THERE IS A PLACE THAT YOU CAN TRADE THOSE??_______________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): hose, seal

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 12:30 pm

Hey, I know nothing about the trading of sex toys. You're on your own there!
B.

Mask cleaning for traded masks?

Mask cleaning for traded masks?

I wouldn't.....

Re: Mask cleaning for traded masks?

Mask

Additional Comments: Machine:Resmed S7 Elite; Oracle Mask(YES! My DREAM mask!!)