CPAPtalk.com

Wulfman wrote: So.....you're gonna get deathly sick from your own facial/body oils?

Well, I would have to think that if our immune system is being effective in fighting off colds etc ... we might not FEEL it, but we may have those "germs" inside of us, spewing them out into the mask...

Reintroducing those germs over and over again, couldn't be the best of all situations.

I wear the F&P Nasal and wash the silicone seal weekly and half-ass wipe off the gray rubber inside. I was an idiot to wash the gray rubber before, as when I dried it, the foam started flaking! I learned my lesson. So, I just wipe it off. I'll wash the plastic mask on as as needed basis... depends on how clean it looks... and the air chamber is easy to inhale and exhale out of.

I found some interesting little things floating in my humidifier so I washed thoroughly with hot hot water and baby shampoo and let air dry. I am not sure what the little floating things were.. they (2 of them) were string-like and transparent, so I let humidifier air-dry completely and they are gone. Have had it since October.

Hoses? I wash once a month in the shower and swish with organic shampoo - let air dry.

Now... as far as the Mirage Quattro FF goes... I HAVE to wash it every single day (it's my husband's mask) because... well I hate to say it but.. the inside is gunky. He's a mouth-breather and there is def. a need to wash his daily... (don't want to go into details... lol).

I put the Tupperware bowl in the sink, take it apart and wash both the mask, the green seal holder and the silicone part of it... I then have to dry all around the seals and make sure "it" is all gone.

To be honest, it's a pain in the butt... but I don't want to discourage him or make any remarks, to make him feel bad, so I wash it for him every night. When he comes to bed, it's all squeaky clean.

Also, I am interested in the wipes you guys use... can you let me know what brand you prefer?

Thank you so much!

Personal preference. I'm lazy and don't wash my equipment much.

i wash my cushion everyday while i shower--i find i get less leaks that way--software is great for telling you everything---pat

I asked my V.A. "Sleep Apnea" rep why they also suggested so much cleaning. Was it because it needed it or what? This was his answer: germs are everywhere...some rotten and some benign. Some people have basically healthy bodies and others not so. Some people can come into contact with the "cold" virus and get sick as a dog AND others nothing. Some people have good hygiene practices and others rotten. When our defenses are down for whatever reason, it is then that germs/virus' can overwhelm us. So, to protect the V.A. from any lawsuits, etc., they simply instruct all users to clean them on a daily basis, knowing that most will not.