Mask cleaning every day ... or not?

I'm trying to figure this out. I switch back and forth between the Mirage Quatro FF and the ComfortGel Nasal masks ... both from Respironics. BTW ... I know it probably won't work for most, but alternating works really well for me, and makes the mask seem like it has a better fit and it avoids irritation that can occur on consecutive nights with the same mask in the same place.

My question is ... should I be cleaning these masks after every use?

The documentation is very non-specific on this. It simply teaches you how to take them apart, clean them, and put them back together.

I just saw some "Daily Wipes" for this stuff, and I'm thinking that's an acknowledgement that it's just impossible for most busy people to take their mask apart and give it a full cleaning every day.

Any advice?

Rusty

I go for months without washing mine. I actually get more skin irritation from a "clean" mask.

I have never disassembled any of my masks for cleaning.....and never will.....and advise others to avoid doing that. They can get "clean" without taking them apart. Many people have had too many problems getting them back together and then come here to complain that they have mask leaks.

Den

They say that women have a higher "ick" factor than men. My husband and I are living proof of that. He cleans his occasionally, and then only the cushion. I clean mine everyday, both the cushion and the hard plastic shell that holds it.

Initially I found it easier to get used to the whole ordeal if it were all immaculately clean. Now it is just a habit, but I do think it shortens the lifespan of the cushion.

Susan

I clean my Activa mask every morning. While waiting for the water to heat up for a shower (old house), I squirt a few drops of Liquid Neutrogena (good cleaner, fragrance free) and rub around for about 10 secs. Rinse and hear the squeaky clean . With the Activa mask at least, it's real easy to snap off/on the mask from the headgear.

Tomorrow morning, feel the mask's plastic around the seal. It will probably feel slightly greasy from your sweat. It will evaporate off during the day, but residual will still be there.

I also wash my face every night w/ Neutrogena. If I skipped shaving that morning, I do a 5 sec partial shave on my upper lip and upper cheeks (where the mask touches) with just the Neutrogena.

All of this makes for the best seal possible. It may be overkill to wash every morning, but for me, it's a brainless ritual now and doesn't take long.

Don’t expect any consensus. Two posts already go from once a day to months . I understand Wulfman's points. But I don't have an issue w/ irritation or mask re-assembly. YMMV.

I should note that the Activa mask mostly seals by the balloon effect of the membrane, not by strap pressure like most masks. So there is little pressure on the seal itself, which means the plastic to skin contact is even more important. Before getting into the above routine, the mask would feel like it's slipping around. Now, the Activa feels like it's glued to my face once the pressure starts.

rwalther wrote:My question is ... should I be cleaning these masks after every use?

What ever works for YOU!!

I say if what you are doing is not working - you owe it to yourself to try something different, don't ya think?

Well ok, so maybe ya don't, think? Hey that could work too - well maybe?

GumbyCT,

I like to collect people's pithy signatures. To your point, it reminded me of sharon1965's: If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got …

And to you and Sharon: Behind every successful man is a surprised woman.

Well for me and whoever else, I clean my mask every day AND I use some sterilizing stuff to finish them off. I have gotten in the habit. I come from a medical nursing background. Well, I say it only takes one bullet well placed in the middle of your forehead to finish you off AND only one time with a dirty mask (if that be the case) to get you sicker than you'd care to be. We take better care of our cars, houses, etc. than we do our own bodies. I mentioned this to a friend of mine the other day and got called a "hypochondriac" for doing so. Go figure, eh? Well, to each his/hers own. For me and my health, I chose to error on the side of being safe. There now, said it...done it...will get off my soap-box.

_________________

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

I have two favorites that I've seen lately:

One of them is: "Be sure you know what you'll have, if you get what you want."

The other is a bit more esotheric: "Eschew Obfuscation."



Rusty

Dgrendahl wrote:Well for me and whoever else, I clean my mask every day AND I use some sterilizing stuff to finish them off. I have gotten in the habit. I come from a medical nursing background. Well, I say it only takes one bullet well placed in the middle of your forehead to finish you off AND only one time with a dirty mask (if that be the case) to get you sicker than you'd care to be. We take better care of our cars, houses, etc. than we do our own bodies. I mentioned this to a friend of mine the other day and got called a "hypochondriac" for doing so. Go figure, eh? Well, to each his/hers own. For me and my health, I chose to error on the side of being safe. There now, said it...done it...will get off my soap-box.

How do you explain that a hospital is the WORST place to contract illnesses?

So.....you're gonna get deathly sick from your own facial/body oils?
WOW.....bottle that stuff and sell it to the CIA or KGB.

Den

wulfman said:

How do you explain that a hospital is the WORST place to contract illnesses?

well, den, i have to disagree: hospitals are actually the BEST place to contract illnesses, ...we have a hospital in town called Hotel Dieu, which is french and i think translates to House of God Hospital, but around here it's known as "Hotel Death"...as far as being afraid of getting sick from our own facial and body oils,i agree with you--i'm more inclined to be afraid of whatever is on a doctor's necktie!

i voted NO...i wash my face before bed, i clean my mask each night with cpap wipes, and once a week (or so...) i soak it all in mild dishsoap and rinse

sharon

sharon1965 wrote:wulfman said:

How do you explain that a hospital is the WORST place to contract illnesses?

well, den, i have to disagree: hospitals are actually the BEST place to contract illnesses, ...we have a hospital in town called Hotel Dieu, which is french and i think translates to House of God Hospital, but around here it's known as "Hotel Death"...as far as being afraid of getting sick from our own facial and body oils,i agree with you--i'm more inclined to be afraid of whatever is on a doctor's necktie!

i voted NO...i wash my face before bed, i clean my mask each night with cpap wipes, and once a week (or so...) i soak it all in mild dishsoap and rinse

sharon

You're right, Sharon.......I guess I didn't phrase that properly, did I?

The forum member "GoofyUT" used to have a sig line that said "That which doesn't kill you will only make you stronger". I've become a believer in it.
Through the over-use of medications, the strains of infections have become more deadly as they have become immune to them. Over the last few years, the increase in staph infections has been in the news.....particularly with regard to athletes contracting them through skin abrasions.

I DO wash/rinse my face off before bed and then wipe my mask seals off with the palm of my hand before putting it on. I'm not a "greasy" person, so it works for me.


Den

I used to wash (soak in Ivory detergent) every morning. Thinking now that was overkill. I rinse in hot water daily, wash with detergent weekly.

You can clean masks?

sharon1965 wrote:i voted NO...i wash my face before bed, i clean my mask each night with cpap wipes, and once a week (or so...) i soak it all in mild dishsoap and rinse

Speaking of meaning the opposite ... you meant YES?

I know that you believe you understand what you think I said,
but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.

SithLord wrote:

sharon1965 wrote:i voted NO...i wash my face before bed, i clean my mask each night with cpap wipes, and once a week (or so...) i soak it all in mild dishsoap and rinse

Speaking of meaning the opposite ... you meant YES?

I know that you believe you understand what you think I said,
but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.

Or, in "political speak".....

"I was FOR it before I voted AGAINST it."


Den