White film on humidifier

I try to keep my resmed S9 machine clean. I used to wash the tank every few days but notice just after a day or two there is a white film on the bottom and white particles floating in the water. I only use distilled water. I dust the machine and i change the filter more than it likely needs changing.
Anyone else notice this or have any ideas?

Are you sure that the water you are using is distilled and not purified?
It sounds as if you are getting mineral precipitation from water that is not distilled.

Check the label to see if there is any indication of mineral content in the water. Distilled will have none.

It's distilled. I have used the same brand for 8 years. My machine is only about 4 years old. Do they need an 'internal' cleaning periodically? I clean out the basin where the humidifier sits and dust the outside. Not sure if i am breathing in this white stuff. I suppose it would stick to the tubing before reaching me.

Maybe i will switch brands to see if there is a difference.


I was thinking of getting a new heated hose but i doubt that is involved. Seem to be getting dumber about these things.

I rinse my humidifier daily in tap water. Once a week I wash with dish soap, then put it in a dish pan with my mask to soak with dish soap and vinegar for a couple of hours. I also make sure to use a clean filter in the machine every week. I'm amazed at how cloudy the water gets from the filter in just a week... absolutely amazed!

Elle wrote:It's distilled. I have used the same brand for 8 years. My machine is only about 4 years old. Do they need an 'internal' cleaning periodically? I clean out the basin where the humidifier sits and dust the outside. Not sure if i am breathing in this white stuff. I suppose it would stick to the tubing before reaching me.

Maybe i will switch brands to see if there is a difference.


I was thinking of getting a new heated hose but i doubt that is involved. Seem to be getting dumber about these things.

Hi Elle.

I don't really have any meaningful ideas about what it could be, but the chances of it getting carried out of your humidifier tank to you would be "slim and none" (and "slim's" outta town). Whatever it is would be too large to get carried out of your HH tank in water vapor molecules, and that's why you're seeing it in your HH tank. So, that part wouldn't worry me.
Do you notice any of that "dust-like" stuff in the area near your air intake opening? Any chance it could be fuzz or particles coming off of a white (fine) filter (if you use one).


Den

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Elle wrote:I try to keep my resmed S9 machine clean. I used to wash the tank every few days but notice just after a day or two there is a white film on the bottom and white particles floating in the water. I only use distilled water. I dust the machine and i change the filter more than it likely needs changing.
Anyone else notice this or have any ideas?

If you are washing with tap water it could be mineral deposits from the tap water.

Try washing and rinsing with the distilled water and see if you can't get more time between cleanings after that.

Thanks wulfman, that decreases anxiety.

Great reponses. I do usually rinse with distilled. Just bought a new brand and will see.

The filters did change a while back. I wonder if that is it? Will try to get the old kind. Thanks so much for the replies.

Elle wrote:The filters did change a while back. I wonder if that is it? Will try to get the old kind. Thanks so much for the replies.

I refused the off-brand filters they told me to "trim-to-fit". Is that what you are getting?
I now get the filters with Respironics imprinted on them.

No, they aren't trimmed. The texture is just different.

Guest wrote:]If you are washing with tap water it could be mineral deposits from the tap water.

Try washing and rinsing with the distilled water and see if you can't get more time between cleanings after that.

I don't think so, unless you're not shaking off most of the tap water. There's just no way for a few drops of tap water to carry in that much crud.

Try wiping the tank clean when you rinse it out.

Do you have the dishwashable tank? If so, try dishwashing it.

There is still some crud in distilled water, and some dust does make it through the filter and end up in the water.

Remember that a dirty filter probably stops more dust than a clean filter, but it restricts the airflow more.

Elle wrote:The filters did change a while back. I wonder if that is it? Will try to get the old kind. Thanks so much for the replies.

My filters are different also... still use them with no problems tho. After you've tried all the suggestions above, maybe a new humidifier??

I tried the technique below and it seemed to work fairly well tho I rushed the 'swishing' part around a bit:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=94916&st=0&sk=t&sd= ... aning+tank

Thanks for the link. That was helpful too. I wonder if peroxide would do any good?

I think i'll get a new tamk. It still looks new but if after i assume i have done a great cleaning the film is back in less than a week it might be time. Thanks again

You've got to stop putting milk in the humidifier.

They also suggest you change the HH tub every six months. When did you last change it?
I have not stuck to the six month interval but do change it every couple years. I also don't wash it every month. I don't like the build up of soap residue. I do rinse it every few months with tap water. The last one I replaced I had trouble telling the old one had been used.

I have never replaced it. *gulp*. Got it about 4 years ago.