Weekly Mask Cleaning---OverKill ???

There are 2 kinds of CPAP patients, those who have had an illness due to not cleaning there equipment and those that will eventually get sick. The fact that the machine is filtered is misleading, the filter is a GROSS particulate filter, it will not capture everything. Given the fact that most respiratory infections are water borne would seem to suggest to me that its wise to keep your equipment clean. If for no other reason than eliminating a possible source of infection. Just because you have not had a problem doesn't mean you won't have a problem. I'd hope you'd error on the side of caution...

before i started cleaning my CPap equipment and changing my Oxygen equipment once a month, i would have a snius infection atleast 3 times a year and an upper respiratory infection atleast twice a year, now i havent had a sinus infection in 9 months, i havent had an upper respiratory infection in a year.

but everyone is different.

I empty my humidifier tank every day and allow it and the hose to dry via the resmed cool down cycle (quite effective in drying). There is a lot of air to water contact that the water is likely well innoculated. By allowing the equipment to dry every day should minimize bio film and exposure to high microbial/mold populations.

I rarely clean my mask but I do wipe down the cushion every night with a moist paper towel to get minimize the oils and maximize the seal. I will remove the cushion for a separate soap and water cleaning once every two weeks or so. If I don't shower before bed, I wash my face. Again to ensure a good seal.

I clean my humidifier every week, my hose every wk or every other, but my mask I have to clean every day I'm jealous of those who don't. My skin is too oily to do it any less.

rjjayrt wrote:Just because you have not had a problem doesn't mean you won't have a problem.

It doesn't mean that you will automagically must have a future problem either.

Cheers,

Bill

don't worry sleepywolverine just use some high quality products it will be good for your skin.

I never wash my actual mask and straps. However I do take the softgel out every day and wash it. I wash the water tank once a week. I intend to wash the hose every 3 months or so.