did any body have white smudge build up on the mask?

like water salts build up, or soap damage, I am not really sure what is the cause, but after just 4 months my mask which is activa LT nasal has transformed from translucent silicon to a white opaque silicone (smudged, can't see through at all).

I just realized the difference when I bought my second mask and I want to know where is the problem so I don't do it with the second mask

I am washing the mask with palmolive dish soap, soak it for an hour or so , then rinse it and dry it by running the machine for 5 minutes

I read in the instruction this time that I shouldn't soak the mask. is it that? or using tap water with a lot of water salts and minerals? or the type of soap is harmful?

I appreciate your advice

You should be using distilled water, and you can use vinegar and water to clean the plastic part of your mask that is corroded.

Grant

My DME told me to use Joy or any gentle dish soap that dose not have any intibacterial stuff in it. Baby shampoo will work just as well. I don't soak my mask, but then I don't have the pillows. I have a nasal mask and I just wash the gel thing and the rest of the mask and rinse in luke warm water, not hot, and then let it air dry. You could have let it soak too long. I never let any thing soak longer than 10 minutes. I give every thing a good rinsing and then I hange the hose up in the shower and if it isn't dry when I get ready for bed, I just put it under the electric blanket for a little while and that helps to dry the hose. So you might want to check the soap and not soak your mask at all, Just rinse after washing it and let it air dry on a clean towel or counter. Have a great evening, Huggies, Fay

The Hybrid cleaning instructions say that discoloratin is normal after several washings and should not be considered sign of wear.

Do not SOAK the silicone parts of your mask. I learned that early on in this business while washing demo masks. I left the seals from the masks soaking for about 30 minutes came back and rinsed them off, they looked fine but when they dried they all had a white film on them. While I don't think it actually harms the silicone, it does make it slightly stiffer and less tacky which equates to more leaks.

I've been washing my mask seal & head cushion with antibacterial hand soap for nearly a year. To make matters worse, I don't wash them until right before bed. I generally rinse the mask shell in warm water then scrub the seal against my palm, then dry everything with a towel & reassemble. Mask seal is the same color as it was when new. It does have the satin "smudge" on it which I have had luck in removing with an all day soak in dish detergent. I suspect it's a little protein build up like contact lenses get. I haven't had any issues with skin irritation or other problems, seal is the same condition as when it was new.

I don't soak mine for extended periods (maybe 5 minutes, as I'm rinsing other parts off), and mine has turned whitish too. I do not wash my CPAP parts in distilled water. I wouldn't go to the trouble or expense. I do use distilled water in the humidifier. I have that "disposable" S9 humidifier tank, and I cannot get that thing dry.

do you wash your mask in distilled water? !

williamco wrote:do you wash your mask in distilled water? !

I do not, and I would not, unless I had NO choice. My closed eyes can't see that the mask is becoming less translucent, so as long as it doesn't affect leaks, it doesn't really bother me. I'm not sure if distilled water would take care of that anyway.

I soak the masks in dawn and tap water for 5 minutes-ish. I have not had any build up. I probably would not soak them any longer than that.

Jaylee wrote:I soak the masks in dawn and tap water for 5 minutes-ish. I have not had any build up. I probably would not soak them any longer than that.

That's a cute picture of you, Jaylee.

SleepingUgly wrote:

Jaylee wrote:I soak the masks in dawn and tap water for 5 minutes-ish. I have not had any build up. I probably would not soak them any longer than that.

That's a cute picture of you, Jaylee.

Thanks

Same problem here.

And I agree with akcpapguy -- the file is worse when the soak is longer.

O.