New to CPAP...A cleaning question

emak · Post by **emak** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 11:09 am

I haven't been able to successfully sleep on my machine yet (still working out the kinks). I took apart my machine and washed the humidifier dome, hose, and mask in dish detergent and then soaked it all in vinegar water. Is this similar to how you do it? Main concern I have is about the hose, I'm not sure how obsessed I should be about maknig sure the vinegar solution fills the inside (so hard to clean the inside of a 6 ft hose), and I can't really tell if the water fully fills it up. Kind of worried about getting some sort of illness from improper cleaning... Also, is it okay to use your machine while your hose is still wet? Or must everything be fully dry when you go to sleep? I have been drying my hose by running the machine with it on..

Hawthorne · Post by **Hawthorne** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 11:27 am

I clean the nose part of my masks every day with either Citrus11 wipes or "Classic Ivory dishwashing liquid".
Once a week, I clean hose, humdifier water chamber and the other parts of the mask with the same dishwashing liquid.
Once in a very long while I will use a vinegar solution (usually if I have a cold or flu) on everything (except the headgear) so as not to re-inhale my own germs!
I have been following this schedule for almost 6 years now with no problems.
Maybe I should do more since the drugs I take for Rheumatoid Arthritis (for 19 years) compromise my immune system but (touch wood!!!), I have never had a problem in the 6 years with this routine.
I must admit that, at first, I washed everything except the headgear, every day with the same dishwashing liquid. After a while I got lazy but, as i said, I have not had any problems.
I have 2 hoses so that if the one does not fully dry by bedtime I have the other clean, dry and ready.
There will be lots of other practices here but that's my routine.

jimbassett · Post by **jimbassett** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:02 pm

I have never in two years washed a hose. Why would I need to? It has only twice filtered air passed over distilled water going thru it. Nothing there that will support any type of growth. I clean my mask of face oils about twice a week and that is sufficient. Of course I live in a very dry area where a high humidity is 10%. Maybe that helps. jim

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:12 pm

Same as Jim here.

Only clean to remove skin oils from part of mask that touches my skin and then only to maintain good seal not to prevent germs.

Before starting treatment two years ago I would get a cold or flu about 3 time a year ... since starting treatment I have yet to get a cold or flu ... whooda thunk it?

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:28 pm

Over three years on the hose.......and counting.....

Have never "cleaned" a hose (still using the original and it's in excellent condition).

Have never "cleaned" the humidifier tank. I only use distilled water and no heat, so I just add to it ever few nights and periodically (think "months") dump the remainder, rinse out with hot tap water, shake out the remainder and refill with fresh distilled. I've also never taken my humidifier tank apart.

Still using my original UMFF mask and seal. I wash it (maybe) 3 or 4 times a year with Dawn dishwashing liquid. And, I've never taken it apart, either.

However, I do rinse out my foam CPAP filter every other weekend.

Den

Insomniyak · Post by **Insomniyak** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:55 pm

I clean my hose once a week in diluted dawn, just put it in a dish pan that I use for that purpose, swish the water around in hose for 5 minutes, rinse and let dry. I wash the mask like that too. Every morning I use a damp sponge to clean facial oils off the seal so it will seal better. Make sure you wash your face before bed every night too.

If the hose is still wet from washing when you go to bed, just let the air from the CPAP run through it for a few minutes, it will dry it and make your AHI look great!!!

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 4:01 pm

I clean my humidifier once a year weather it needs it or not. I use vineger. Beware of detergents that contain amonia as they cause crazing of the plastic parts. I just rinse the mask weekly with warm water. Just remember this, All that disassembly to clean can cause breakage and worn seals, etc.

Cheers,

:twis ted:

danw61 · Post by **danw61** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 4:48 pm

I clean my mask & headgear once a week using baby shampoo. I will sometimes wash the nasal pillows again midweek. Once every 2 or 3 months I wash out the hose. Once every 6 months I use vinegar to wash humidifier chamber & hose.

-Dan

annie123 · Post by **annie123** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 6:44 pm

I clean the part of the mask that touches my face daily with acne face wipes. (Since I can order a new cushion/seal every 3 weeks I don't worry about breakdown from harsh chemicals.) I wash and soak the hose (submerse and swish water through it several times), humidifier tank, and mask once a week in a bucket filled with water and Dawn dishwashing soap.

alnhwrd · Post by **alnhwrd** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:39 pm

Emak,

If you want to fill up your hose with your cleaning solution, try using a large funnel to fill it partially full, block both ends and work them up and down, then empty and rinse. Some people just take the hose in the shower with them and clean it that way. A new hose is only $10 on Cpap.com, so if you bought a second one you could let one dry while you use the other. Just letting the machine run to dry it out works fine too.

If you are not prone to respiratory infections, you don't need to get too crazy about cleaning. Remember, you are breathing filtered air, and any bugs in the hose are the ones you put there. And everytime you take your equipment apart you take the chance of wear and breakage. But if it makes you feel better to take everything apart and clean it every day, go for it!

I hope that you are able to start sleeping all night soon. Is there anything specific that is keeping you from sleeping? Let us know what if we can help.

Mask

New to CPAP...A cleaning question

New to CPAP...A cleaning question

a cleaning question