Hello Guest, Welcome to Apnea Board !
As a guest, you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use.
To post a message, you must create a free account using a valid email address.

or Create an Account


New Posts   Today's Posts

Boiling nasal pillows
#1
Question 
Boiling nasal pillows
Anyone had success boiling their nasal pillows to get them back into shape? I read somewhere boiling them with baking soda helps to firm them back up.

My husband was laid off and we don't have insurance right now. Trying to fund a way to save money. I can get the Swift FX pillows for about $20 a pop, but that seems high.

Any other tips on making the pillows last longer?
Post Reply Post Reply
#2
RE: Boiling nasal pillows
I boil my mask cushion with baking soda if I have trouble with leaks. It also helps control the buildup of skin oils. (It's the same process for pillows or cushions.) I have been using the same one since last May, and it still looks, feels, and works like new. Some people have reported getting a year and a half out of them before needing replacement.
Post Reply Post Reply
#3
RE: Boiling nasal pillows
I have noticed that if I wash my nasal pillows in water that's too hot it shortens their life.

ComfortLite2 pillows have two parts, one is hard plastic and the other is soft silicone. The joint where they meet fails when the silicone rubber loses its elasticity and I have found that that happens if I wash them in water that's too hot.

If the water is so hot I can't touch it with my hands, it's too hot for washing my nasal pillows.
Sleepster

INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
Post Reply Post Reply
#4
RE: Boiling nasal pillows
here is what forum member "Clumpco" wrote in the old forum
I've not tried his tips and not sure how it works
if anyone want to try this method ... try with worn out cushion going to throw away

this is copy/paste of the post:
I haven't had the same irritation problems as the OP, but I do have a tip about cleaning the mask that could help if the irritation is due to oils etc. being absorbed by the Silicone.

My ResMed Quattro FX mask is now 2 months old and despite washing the Silicone part every day it became opaque and slimy rather than transparent and tacky and was more prone to leak (I have a beard so tightness is already an issue).

I consulted a Silicone specialist at my work (we make Silicone products) to see if there was a product that could really get it clean. Instead of recommending a cleaning product he told me to simply put it in the oven at 150°C (300°F) for 30 minutes.

I did this (removing the thermoplastic support/clip first) and lo and behold the mask returned to its original tacky state. It is also much less opaque.

If you want to try this, please make sure that you remove all other plastic parts as they will definitely soften and warp at this temperature.
Post Reply Post Reply
#5
RE: Boiling nasal pillows
We (wife and I) use the Swift FX and boil them in baking soda once each month or so. Getting near a year now on this set
Post Reply Post Reply
#6
RE: Boiling nasal pillows
(01-07-2013, 06:02 AM)mckevin32 Wrote: We (wife and I) use the Swift FX and boil them in baking soda once each month or so. Getting near a year now on this set
How muchh BS to how much water, please?
Post Reply Post Reply
#7
RE: Boiling nasal pillows
(01-07-2013, 10:55 AM)herefishy Wrote:
(01-07-2013, 06:02 AM)mckevin32 Wrote: We (wife and I) use the Swift FX and boil them in baking soda once each month or so. Getting near a year now on this set

How muchh BS to how much water, please?

For free BS, just go to your local Durable Medical Equipment Supplier (DME). They create a fresh supply, free-of-charge, every single day. Bigwink

..sorry, couldn't resist... Grin
SuperSleeper
Apnea Board Administrator
www.ApneaBoard.com


INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.


Post Reply Post Reply
#8
RE: Boiling nasal pillows
(01-07-2013, 10:55 AM)herefishy Wrote:
(01-07-2013, 06:02 AM)mckevin32 Wrote: We (wife and I) use the Swift FX and boil them in baking soda once each month or so. Getting near a year now on this set
How muchh BS to how much water, please?

I use about one teaspoon of baking soda to one pint of water.
Post Reply Post Reply
#9
RE: Boiling nasal pillows
When you boil them, do you just bring them to the boil and then turn off the heat or do you let them boil for a number of minutes?
Post Reply Post Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread Author Replies Views Last Post
Question Difficulty Exhaling with Nasal Pillows? chill 23 10,776 03-26-2024, 06:13 AM
Last Post: 40plus
  Nasal irrigation sleepingbetterinFl 8 326 03-11-2024, 10:50 AM
Last Post: HalfAsleep
  Nasal pillows vs. cradle GOIRISH65 8 394 03-04-2024, 07:44 PM
Last Post: Deborah K.
  Flow Limitations Full Face Mask vs Pillows wickedsleepy 4 399 02-23-2024, 10:44 AM
Last Post: wickedsleepy
Question Snoring worse with FFM vs pillows PaulaO2 12 935 01-28-2024, 12:25 PM
Last Post: PaulaO2
  Resmed Airfit P30i Nasal Pillows Mask Leak Question fuzz 2 486 01-25-2024, 03:10 PM
Last Post: fuzz
Question [Equipment] Fullface or Nasal? Jose Castro 10 866 01-17-2024, 03:11 PM
Last Post: Deborah K.


New Posts   Today's Posts


About Apnea Board

Apnea Board is an educational web site designed to empower Sleep Apnea patients.