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How often are you supposed to disinfect your mask and tubing with the vinegar?
My notes from the DME company are not clear?
Do you all disinfect the headgear every time you do the tubing and hoses?
It seems like that would take forever to dry?

i've heard a very very wide range of responses to this! anywhere from every day to every three years! i just used the vinegar and soap on the pillows and tubing after 2 weeks.i wash my humidifier tank once a week. not sure if i will adhere to that schedule from now on. the respiratory therapist said to check the filter once in a while and wash it when it's collecting dust, clean the tank with mild soap and water once a week, and wipe the pillows with a wash cloth every day or every other day or so. she seemed to imply washing the hosing is not as important and can be done every once in a while. she recommended the ten to one ratio of water to vinegar.

I don't soak in vinegar solution any longer that a minute or so.
I figure by that time, it's done all it can do.

Sleepnsta, I'm an EMT and we carry a jar if Vick's Vapo-Rub in the ambulance. Sometimes we have to go into a house that really stinks, so on those occasions we rub a bit of that on our upper lip. Maybe you could rub some on your nose?

wardmiller wrote:Sleepnsta, I'm an EMT and we carry a jar if Vick's Vapo-Rub in the ambulance. Sometimes we have to go into a house that really stinks, so on those occasions we rub a bit of that on our upper lip. Maybe you could rub some on your nose?

thanks for the suggestion! i find the smell of vicks pretty offensive too but not as bad as vinegar. i can't imagine the grossness you must walk into if you have to do that

wardmiller wrote:Sleepnsta, I'm an EMT and we carry a jar if Vick's Vapo-Rub in the ambulance. Sometimes we have to go into a house that really stinks, so on those occasions we rub a bit of that on our upper lip. Maybe you could rub some on your nose?

wardmiller,

I had heard about something like that before, but thought that it was a joke or something. Now that I see your post about it, it does make a lot of sense! Sure beats the fragrance of a stinky house .

John

I personally don't think vinegar is necessary to clean equipment. I suspect it might even be harmful to silicone and plastic. I use regular dish soap and then soak it all in clean tap water for a couple of hours. One caveat might be if you're living in an area with high humidity and heat (The Bayous? The Gulf?) Then maybe an acid solution would cut mold buildup... can't say for sure because I've never lived in an area like that. Please let us know what works to get the smell out. I'd be leaning toward bicarbonates...

wardmiller wrote:Sleepnsta, I'm an EMT and we carry a jar if Vick's Vapo-Rub in the ambulance. Sometimes we have to go into a house that really stinks, so on those occasions we rub a bit of that on our upper lip. Maybe you could rub some on your nose?

Yeah, I'm a crime drama fan and I've heard that alot - that plus a big 'ol stoogy! The Vapo-Rub fix might be worse than the original problem tho. Talk about a powerful smell.

Vicks is pretty strong smelling, covering up a lot of smells. When I was showing horses we'd put a dab of Vicks in the stallion's nostrils to prevent him from any amorous advances towards mares in heat. Worked great, they totally ignored the ladies. Unfortunately it probably would only mask the vinegar smell. Best best is baby shampoo, it's a comforting smell reminding me of my kids when they were babies. Maybe a cotton ball with baby shampoo on it by the machine vent?

Going back to basic chemistry.... Vinegar is a weak acid and it is made from organic sources.

The least risky is soaking in distilled water. It is great at dissolving nearly everything.

If that fails.... Make up a solution of baking soda and water. Soak it in that.

Then rinse and rinse and rinse. If that fails, try soaking in rubbing alcohol or high proof drinking type (low grade vodka works, mix ever clear 1:1 with distilled water if you use it)

I find that I can't smell the vinegar once it has been rinsed on newer equipment but I can on older stuff. I expect that is due to the junk holding on to the vinegar.

If your soaking, hot water works better as reactions work faster, just don't get it much hotter than you can dip your finger in it. There are some things that can take boiling but use
a double boiler and never let the plastic touch the hot metal.

2 B Sleeping Soundly wrote:I actually had a mishap as well while drying the hose that way, but instead of hitting a wall in my living room, I hit, well... 'down south of the border' and my face went for a minute or so. Let's just say I am a lot more careful these days when I dry my hose

John

Thanks!