Seems it's 'horses for courses' with this cleaning thing. For me it depends on my skin, allergies etc. I wash the mask in handsoap I am not allergic to (allergic to dishwashing liquids & anything not PH balanced). After all it's against the most sensitive skin. Have only washed the hose twice in 3 years. Washed the filters a few times & replaced once. Wash the headgear with the mask, depends on how hot it's been & how oily/sweaty the weather has been. I suppose an oily skin would necessitate the mask being washed more often.
One thing I do especially that helps me sleep well, is wipe a tiny bit of lavender oil over the intake to the filter. Lavender oil is great aid to sleep. OH likes it on his pillowslip - just enough for a nice perfume.
To each his own, when the mask starts to leak, smell, is snotty, oily etc. - wash it !!
There has to be those folk out there who cannot manage their equipment optimally & those surely do need assistance. When one is old and/or ill, it's not easy to 'do' for oneself, so things get dirty, standards slip & we don't see the dirt as much, often because it's just all too hard. It's really difficult for some to look after themselves, let alone health equipment.
Manufacturers recommend, I believe, optimal care to cover themselves (fair enough) & their hosehead customers. Somewhere less than optimal to suit the individual is perfectly okay.
G'day from Oz -