CPAPtalk.com

jmw wrote:I use a small paint brush (artist) and it gets into all of those little corners.

You may be able to find inexpensive and small makeup brushes that will do much the same as paintbrushes. Look in dollar or discount stores for all of these type brushes and/ or disposable makeup applicators (small sponge-tipped) that will likely work in small crevices.

I have always been lazzzy when it comes to washing my PAP gear.
On my old S9 Autoset I dumped the water maybe 3 or 4 times in 2 years and rinsed it with tap water. When I replaced it at about 2 years I could not tel the difference between the old and the new.
My PR is now 1 year old and I decided to rinse it out. That didn't help so I ran it through the dishwasher twice. That got the scum but not the mineral buildup, I think it needs a jack hammer for that.
I may just wait for my next tank replacement.

bwexler wrote:I have always been lazzzy when it comes to washing my PAP gear.
On my old S9 Autoset I dumped the water maybe 3 or 4 times in 2 years and rinsed it with tap water. When I replaced it at about 2 years I could not tel the difference between the old and the new.
My PR is now 1 year old and I decided to rinse it out. That didn't help so I ran it through the dishwasher twice. That got the scum but not the mineral buildup, I think it needs a jack hammer for that.
I may just wait for my next tank replacement.

Try a 1 part vinegar 10 part water solution on the minerals.

Try a 1 part vinegar 10 part water solution on the minerals.

This works miracles on mineral/crud build up.
A while back I got a machine that was donated and the tank was NASTY looking from the mineral build up...
I used straight vinegar on it and then rinsed the devil out of it (I hate vinegar stink ) and the tank looked 99% new.
Wasn't perfect but close enough. It was an old, old machine with lots of hours on it so I know that tank was probably the original and it was a M series water chamber which weren't as easy to clean anyway.

I have used a nipple brush to clean the tank, but it's not a perfect solution. It is really difficult to clean around those plastic ribs. Eventually, I realized that our esteemed host, CPAP.com, sells a replacement tank pretty cheaply, like about $26.00. Eventually, I just gave up and got a replacement tank, and it works wonderfully.

*mumbles* another plus for resmed.. easyclean tank. no inconvenient ridges all over the place.

I made an earlier entry to this thread when I was using ResMed machines and, yes, those simple tanks are soooo easy to clean. Now that I'm using PR machines it's a whole lot simpler to throw the whole tank bottom and lid onto the upper rack of the dishwasher every couple of weeks. Works like a charm and I've been doing it for a long time. I haven't noticed it harming the tank or its seals at all, plus no mold has appeared.

Sir NoddinOff wrote:I made an earlier entry to this thread when I was using ResMed machines and, yes, those simple tanks are soooo easy to clean. Now that I'm using PR machines it's a whole lot simpler to throw the whole tank bottom and lid onto the upper rack of the dishwasher every couple of weeks. Works like a charm and I've been doing it for a long time. I haven't noticed it harming the tank or its seals at all, plus no mold has appeared.

Two questions come to mind about use of the dishwasher. 1) do you remove the rubber seal from the tank before washing the tank? and 2) do you run the dishwasher with just the tank in it, or do you just put the tank in with a load of dishes?

Hose_Head wrote:Two questions come to mind about use of the dishwasher. 1) do you remove the rubber seal from the tank before washing the tank? and 2) do you run the dishwasher with just the tank in it, or do you just put the tank in with a load of dishes?

<sigh> No I don't futz with the silicone seal at all, I simply take the tank lid off and put the whole assembly in the dishwasher. Also I put it in with a regular load of dishes... I mean, you're gonna eat off the dishes anyway. How dirty is the tank going to be?