Quattro users - how do you clean your mask?

Wulfman wrote:Same as the UMFF I've been using for over 4 years. (Headgear didn't quite make it 4 yrs. but the seals are still fine)

WHEN I get around to washing it (every few months), I use Dawn dishwashing liquid (HOT water for wash, HOT water for rinse and then soak it in COLD water for a bit) and never (intentionally) disassemble it.

In the mean time, I just wash/rinse my face before bed and wipe down the seal with the palm of my hand.


Den

I think your method requires less work than mine, while at the same time achieving the overall objective. I believe I will adopt your way.

Thanks.

I pop the seal and clean it religiously every morning, kind of like brushing my teeth. I just put a puddle of baby shampoo in the palm of my hand, add a little warm water, "massage" it well inside & out, and rinse well. By the time I'm out of the shower it's dry enough to put it back together. The forehead pad I just wipe off every day and clean the same way once a week or so. The rest doesn't need any attention but maybe once every 4-6 weeks in my experience.

I have oily skin, and I think daily cleaning helps the seal a lot. Sometimes I pop the cushion section out, other times I just wash the whole thing. Either way, the important point for me is to go around the outer seal using my thumb and forefinger to soap the contact surface and "massage" it, as KSMike says. Then I hold it under the hot water and shake vigorously for a minute or so to get a thorough rinse, especially in the tight space between the inner and outer cushions.

The best I have found is Liquid Neutrogena facial cleansing formula (fragrance free). It leaves the mask squeaky clean. I normally give it a good washing weekly, and soak monthly in Control III (available through cpap.com)

The best laid plans...

I washed the cushion last night with a tiny bit of soap. I shook it mostly dry and then hung it up over the door knob to the bathroom to finish drying. I've done this a bunch of times - every night since I got the mask, I guess.

I hopped in the shower to get myself clean while it dried. I look out once, though, and see one of my cats, Ani, chewing on something. My cats are only about 13 months old and they're forever chewing on things.

You know where this is going.

The thing is, I wear glasses and I have horrible vision without them - like in the shower. She was less than 6 feet away, and I still couldn't tell what it was. I went through the thought process, "Ani is chewing on something. Hmm. I can't see what it is, really. It seems like it might be clear, though. Hmmm." (moment of clarity) "AAAAH!!!!!! NO NO NO NO!"

So. It managed to escape with only two tiny holes from her sharp little kitten teeth. I couldn't get mad, really, since she was just doing what cats do and I did leave it where she could get it. I think her dripping, naked owner running frantically at her probably drove the point home not to do it again, though.

I used Scotch tape on it last night and my DME will replace the cushion once a month, so I'll be fine...but I'll be more careful next time.

But hey - at least I know it was clean when she chewed on it!

FIRST, make sure you have the proper mask and size (in my case my first mask was too large, but a mask that is too small will also leak a lot)--I like the Quattro best of the four I've now tried.
Personal note: I am a 55 yo, 6-ft, 200++ man working full time, and don't want to spend much time on cleaning; Even though the Tech said I needed a Large mask, it felt loose at the fitting, so I chose to use a Medium. After a month of frustrating leaks, and a visit to my Sleep Doc and Lab, I found a cool CPAP site that let me measure my own face; I carefully did as instructed, entered the data, and it recommended I try a Small. Yeah, right, on a man my size?! The tech was certain that a small wasn't right for me either, and wanted me to test a couple other brands/types of masks for a few days each (gratis), which I did; none worked even half as well as the medium quattro already did, and all except a new type with a gel seal were a lot less comfortable. I was still desperate, SO, I opted to try a Small Quattro: the first night I used it, it worked great. No leaks. Who knew? But, after a few uses--although I was cleaning as instructed, new leaks began anyway.

SO, SECOND, clean it well - this cleaning regimen works great for me:

1. DAILY. Really daily, no skipping even a day or two or you'll get temporary leaks until you do clean it: I wipe the face seal/cushion, then the rest of the mask, and finally my face with a nice VERY WETCitrus II CPAP Mask Wipe (the wetter you get it, the fewer the leaks that same night). It usually takes less than five minutes to dry; I never use it wet due to chaffing. Hey, I know they cost a bit (well, the shipping does anyway--wish I could find them locally) but they are well worth a good seal and solid sleep. I admit I have not tried the brand of CPAP wipes yet, but, I suspect they might work just as well?? And, Yes, I have tried all the other wipes that have been mentioned above, and the mask leaked so badly even after cleaning that I went back to the Citrus II wipes, and the seal/cushion went back to almost no leaks. I suspect the spray does just as well. I also tried a brand that SAYS it has the same citrus ingredients on the label, and a couple "Natural" wipes, but none were nearly as effective.

2. WEEKLY (i.e. every 6-10 days or so): I wash everything (mask, hose, humidifier tank) using Johnsons Baby Shampoo. I suspect any mild soap will do just fine, but I like the results and it is cheap; usually I clean the mask while in the shower but a well-cleaned sink does just fine. I tried the 25% vinegar bath, but it seems to break down the seal/cushion a lot quicker. I do take the mask apart every few weeks and clean all the parts but I don't know if I really need to. I DO use the vinegar bath for about 20-30 minutes on the hose and humidifier, though.

Since I began this regimen several months ago, I've been able to get my mask to eliminate almost all leaks that had apparently been due to daily use, even while sleeping on my side.