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Take it and rinse it off every morning. (Gotta get rid of the drool .) Air dry. Wash properly once a week.

I take the humidifier & empty & take apart & rinse with really warm water & let air dry. Then I take the nose part off the mask & wash it & let it air dry. Hang hose to let condensation air dry & wash them about once a week.

I usually just throw it on the pillow until the next night. If I visually see something on the mask I will wipe it down with rubbing alcohol and call it good.

Thanks so much, folks. You've made me think that the ziplock bag may not be the best idea.

On a related question, when you wash your masks do you wash the headgear as often? I assume oils from your hair can be as much of a problem as oils from your face.

I rinse my nasal pillows and then bring it back into the bedroom where I have a hook for them to dry. I won't leave them in the bathroom because we've had mold issues in there.

My hose is fastened to my Hozer hose manager and is out of the way, whether it's attached, or drying out.

I used to just leave my mask on my pillow for the next night, until I read an account here of someone being greeted by a bug blasting into the mask when they turned the machine on.

So I made a drawstring pouch that hangs from the top of the headboard. Take off the mask, pop it into the bag, and pull the string around the hose to close it up.

No surprises so far (and let's hope it stays that way, considering the kind of creepy-crawlies to be found out here in the desert). My latest visitor, next to a penny to show his small size:

BleepingBeauty wrote:I used to just leave my mask on my pillow for the next night, until I read an account here of someone being greeted by a bug blasting into the mask when they turned the machine on.

So I made a drawstring pouch that hangs from the top of the headboard. Take off the mask, pop it into the bag, and pull the string around the hose to close it up.

No surprises so far (and let's hope it stays that way, considering the kind of creepy-crawlies to be found out here in the desert). My latest visitor, next to a penny to show his small size:

Well, it sounds like you're the only one who does what I do, securing the mask in a pouch or bag that's cinched tight around the hose. The issue that others have mentioned is that it's good to "air out" the hose and mask by leaving exposed (I assume this would help dry them out and prevent mildew). So I'm not sure what's worse, the chance of breathing in mold or mildew or leaving the mask exposed to dust and creepy crawlers.

Another issue is now that I just received the S8 Autoset II, which continues to blow air after it shuts off, I don't think closing up the connected mask in a pouch or bag (with air blowing though them) sounds like a very good idea.

BleepingBeauty wrote:My latest visitor, next to a penny to show his small size:

Oh my those are ugly little devils. About 3 years ago I lived in Las Vegas and often left the patio door open so the dogs could go in and out. One evening I watched as one of those devils made its way across my living room floor from that open door. Only this guy wasn't so little. I swear he was nearly as long as my foot (though I do have small feet).. He was so big I was afraid to squash him thinking that stinger would reach up and get me... Anyway, I got a large piece of cardboard and got him on it and carried him outside and tossed him over the fence and told him to go play in the street. During the time I lived there I saw many scorpions in the house but that one was by far the largest. Now in Missouri (at least in town) my main worry are brown recluse spiders. They are rampant here. Can't escape them.

Looks like with the onset of cooler temps here and frequent rain that rainout is going to be a problem for me so looks like I will be doing the usual hose covering stuff and pillow removals (to let things dry out) instead of throwing everything on top of the machine which had been my routine.

bcab17 wrote: Well, it sounds like you're the only one who does what I do, securing the mask in a pouch or bag that's cinched tight around the hose. The issue that others have mentioned is that it's good to "air out" the hose and mask by leaving exposed (I assume this would help dry them out and prevent mildew). So I'm not sure what's worse, the chance of breathing in mold or mildew or leaving the mask exposed to dust and creepy crawlers.

I'm comfortable with my set-up because the pouch is made of cotton (i.e., it's breathable).

Another issue is now that I just received the S8 Autoset II, which continues to blow air after it shuts off, I don't think closing up the connected mask in a pouch or bag (with air blowing though them) sounds like a very good idea.

As long as the mask enclosure is breathable, I don't see a problem. But to each his own.

Pugsy wrote:my main worry are brown recluse spiders. They are rampant here. Can't escape them.

They're here, too, along with black widows. Generally speaking, I don't like spiders at all. But I'd rather encounter a tarantula than a recluse or a widow (or a scorpion, which always seems to be on defense, ready to strike).

NO shame here!

Lately, I've been grabbing and ripping it off my face, then flinging it, still half asleep. It stays all day where ever it lands, until I put it back on at night.

Once a month, maybe, with baby shampoo I'll clean the nasal pillows, and the humidifier, with baby shampoo, I just shake it really hard and rinse. Nope, no shame here. Works for me.

TG no bugs here either.

I agree with Violet. My own germs won't make me sick. I don't use the humidifier.

I hang my mask on the bedpost. I also hang the hose, unattached to the mask, on the bedpost (along w/my chewing gum *wicked grin*). Wash what??? When???

I pop the "cap" up on my Humidaire 3i for the day so it "dries" out faster and my VPAP Auto has to run on low less time.

I have the Mirage Activa LT. I remove the Silicon Parts daily, and swish them in the sink with some Method Go Naked dish soap. Every 3 days I remove the elbow and clean that too. I have yet to wash my headgear, but I've only been a hose monster for about 3 weeks now. If I do not clean the silicon parts daily, they seem to get greasy and slip around on my forehead and beard easier. And I think its kinda gross since you are exhaling into that mask as well as inhaling fresh air.

I toss my mask toward my nightstand, and most of the time it makes it there; otherwise it spends the day on the floor.

i hang the mask on the bedpost and i clean the hose, mask, and humidifier about once a month when i change the filters.