I'd love this CPAP stuff...if not for the mask part

Oldlincoln, your solution acts as the opposite of an astringent, it is a surfactant. It would cause any moisture to be very evenly distributed across the mask/skin interface (think how soap keeps water from beading and breaks down oil and grease). Very interesting approach, and probably the right answer.

Again last night the seal on my Mirage Series 2 woke me up with it sliding upwards towards my mouth and leaking. I couldn't get it to sit properly without it moving around. When I got the mask last week the seal had a nice tacky/sticky feel to it that clung to my face and provided a very good seal. It's never been the same since I washed it with a drop of ecover soap, the surface has an oily feel and I can see some residue.

I ordered some of the Dr Bronner stuff yesterday. Hopefully that will help. I think I'll use some dilute vinegar and see if I can restore the mask to its former glory.

Anyone else have the same problems with this seal/cushion? It's the same one fitted to the Ultra Mirage.

Chipbutty,
Try rinsing that mask with a 1:3 mix of vinegar and water. You can let the mask soak in the solution for 5-15 mins, then rinse very, very well. The vinegar will cut through all the oils and soap residue to give you that tacky/sticky feel again.

Brenda

Thanks Brenda. Funny as I've just done exactly that. I used a small saline spray bottle and filled it 1:3 vinegar and water and sprayed it over the mask, left for a couple of minutes and sprayed over again and rinsed. Hopefully that'll do the trick. If not, I'll soak it a bit longer.

The bathroom smells like my local fish and chip shop

bdp522 wrote:Chipbutty,
Try rinsing that mask with a 1:3 mix of vinegar and water. You can let the mask soak in the solution for 5-15 mins, then rinse very, very well. The vinegar will cut through all the oils and soap residue to give you that tacky/sticky feel again.

Brenda

I use nasal pillow type masks - I've 3 of them. And I always have a favorite depending on when I'm asked. Currently its the Mirage Swift but it changes between 3 masks. Suddenly they leak...you know my favorite suddenly letting me down! I don't understand it.. maybe it's facial oil or whatever. I just know that suddenly I've cost leaks everywhere. When try the same mask with NO CHANGE 2 nights later, all is well! Anyway I go to bed with another mask to swap to, next to me. If I get leaks (ie multiple and it's keeping me awake, I swap over and try an alternate one, It usually works, but sometimes I have to 'have a rest' and sleep without for an hour or so. I ensure that I HOLD ON TO a mask so that when I awake (always) with a snort, I jsut put the mask back on and immediately try to get back to sleep.

Thanks, OldLincoln! I am going to try that tonight if I can find my old foam soap bottle from Pampered Chef.

Great idea!

Peggy