SoClean & other CPAP cleaning machines

[Sleepster]

Quote from from SoClean website FAQs: "Your CPAP equipment is completely sanitized every time you use the SoClean. However, the SoClean will not remove facial oils or dust or other foreign materials. You should hand wash your CPAP equipment with the pre-wash solutions every 5-6 weeks."

The facial oils that accumulate on the mask cause leaks. I can't imagine how removing them only every 5-6 weeks would be effective. After just a few days my greasy mask cushion would be sliding all over my face!

[chill]

That happens to me after 5-6 hours!  Me so greasy!  

[Melman]

My point was that SoClean concedes that their system does not clean.

I agree on the facial oils. The one thing I am scrupulous about is cleaning my cushions every day. It has nothing to do with fear of infection.

[CPAPreturnee]

That happens to me after 5-6 hours!  Me so greasy!  

Do masks also start burping and leaking when humidifier set to almost max settings?
 I noticed that when going to bed, mask is perfect (subjectively speaking) sealing, but by morning mask is leaking air to eyes and at sides (humidifier at 4).  If I set to 2 then my mouth and throat are raw dried which in my 70+ years experience, is harbinger for colds/flu.  So I trade off with 3 which is borderline.

[PaytonA]

That happens to me after 5-6 hours!  Me so greasy!  

Do masks also start burping and leaking when humidifier set to almost max settings?
 I noticed that when going to bed, mask is perfect (subjectively speaking) sealing, but by morning mask is leaking air to eyes and at sides (humidifier at 4).  If I set to 2 then my mouth and throat are raw dried which in my 70+ years experience, is harbinger for colds/flu.  So I trade off with 3 which is borderline.

During the night the muscles in your face relax and the tension from the mask on skin and other cells move them somewhat. The overall effect is that generally your mask will be looser in the morning than at night. That is why I make my final adjustments to the mask in the morning with the PAP pressure as high as it is set for after I have gotten my pressures adjusted. If my max IPAP is 18, then I adjust at 18. This can be done easily by using the mask fit feature.

best Regards,

PaytonA

[CPAPreturnee]

[quote pid='206920' dateline='1495652017']

During the night the muscles in your face relax and the tension from the mask on skin and other cells move them somewhat. The overall effect is that generally your mask will be looser in the morning than at night. That is why I make my final adjustments to the mask in the morning with the PAP pressure as high as it is set for after I have gotten my pressures adjusted. If my max IPAP is 18, then I adjust at 18. This can be done easily by using the mask fit feature.

best Regards,

PaytonA
[/quote]

Thanks for iinfo!!

[jerrydaw]

Well........I have a SoClean and I use it weekly just to clean the heated hose.  I do not allow ozone to flow through the CPAP as I am worried that it would damage the seals of the machine.  I clean the reservoir and the mask  weekly using soap and water.  The hose was clean when I started using the SoClean.  I use a special attachment to connect the hose directly to the SoClean.

So far, I have had no problems.  I guess the reason I like doing it this way is that I thought the hose was the most difficult item to clean.  You almost had to run a long brush through it every time you cleaned it.  Then hang it up for hours to dry.

[TheDuke]

In a word, NO. you do not need the SoClean Device
In my opinion it is simply some organization that is attempting to make a profit from CPAPPers love of  expensive gadgetry. I do believe that CPAP masks and headgear should be physically washed in soap and water to remove skin, oils, mucous, saliva etc. At least once a week I scrub my  mask surfaces with  an old toothbrush and common liquid detergent , then rinse thoroughly and dry in airflow from my old CPAP. The SoClean supposedly exposes equipment to ozone, but even if it kills some pathogens it does absolutey nothing to actually clean the gear.

TheDuke

[Melman]

Quote from the FAQs on the SoClean web site "Your CPAP equipment is completely sanitized every time you use the SoClean. However, the SoClean will not remove facial oils or dust or other foreign materials. You should hand wash your CPAP equipment with the pre-wash solutions every 5-6 weeks."

But they call it a cleaner and sanitizer.

[HeadDoc41]

I understand that the use of the SoClean 2 is very controversial in the community so my question is not about whether it is effective or worth the money

My question is :

Is there scientific data (excluding personal opinions) that indicates it is or is not safe for a cpap user to use on a daily basis.

Thanks