Vinegar rinse anyone?

When trying to purge smoke smell from a gifted new-in-package Resmed mask from a smoker's home I noticed that despite multiple cleaning attempts and washings, when I finally tried vinegar, the mask cushion dried crystal clear -- no more cloudiness from all the prior hard water washings in soap. (Smoke smell remained, but it sure looked good at least).

Has anyone had good results with washing cushions in vinegar? Any damage or premature deterioration? I know at least one mfg says avoid certain cleaners, including vinegar, but in practical use, has anyone been able to remove cloudiness with vinegar without ruining their silicone cushions?

White vinegar is awesome--cleans beautifully.
I have never seen harm to silicone; but would not advise a long soak, either.
Which manufacturer advises against it?

Try the boiling procedure....it works.

Boil some distilled water....add a tsp of baking soda
Drop the silicone into the boiling water
I leave it for about 2 minutes and then turn it for another minute
(The foam is the baking soda reacting with the oils from the skin)
Take out and rinse in distilled water
Let air dry...It will look like new.

chunkyfrog wrote:White vinegar is awesome--cleans beautifully.
I have never seen harm to silicone; but would not advise a long soak, either.
Which manufacturer advises against it?

Resmed says no vinegar, apparently. I wonder what exactly it does that is harmful?

Per ResMed:
•Wash mask daily according to user guide instructions, with a product that you would use to wash your face. Use mild soap and warm water (30°C/86°F)
•Wash face before bed (suggested - pH neutral) to remove excess facial oils
•Avoid using facial lotions and creams where your mask comes into contact with your face, as these products may interfere with mask seal and potentially degrade the quality of the cushion over time.

Cautions
•Do not use solutions containing vinegar, bleach, chlorine, alcohol, aromatics, moisturizers, antibacterial agents or scented oils to clean any part of the system or air tubing. These solutions may cause damage and reduce the life of the product

Just a guess, but Resmed probably assumes everyone has SOFT water.
--Like Congress assumes the rest of us still have money!

chunkyfrog wrote:Just a guess, but Resmed probably assumes everyone has SOFT water.
--Like Congress assumes the rest of us still have money!

Yeah, indeed. And we all want nice shiny mask cushions. It's worth a shot. I will try the vinegar rinse trick and see if it causes any probs with the materials. Thanks chunkyfrog.

I do the vinegar rinse thing every other week...keeps my masks clean and sparkly.