One week in but have cleaning questions.

[Waldorbigbill]

I started about a week ago and I have been averaging 6-7 hours sleep with the mask on. I amazed how much better I feel everyday.  I have a question about the best way to clean my hose and mask and stuff because the more I research I get confused. Some people say do it every day some say do once a week. Also what do I clean with some say warm water other say use mild soap and yet others say use vinager wash. I'm more confused. Also I m going to ask about that cleaning machine what are thought I hear a lot of mix reviews on it. Thank you for your feed back.

[DavePaulson]

When I had surgery the RT cleaned mine every day thoroughly. I clean it once a month myself. it all evens out. Dish soap and water for me.

Dave

[dwd1249]

Glad things are going well for you. I was a lucky one who took to cpap from day one.

I settled on once a week with mild dish wash soap. I've never had a problem with mask or hose. I don't use a humidifier but it needs to be cleaned as well.
Only comment I'll make on a cleaning machine is I'll never bother with one.
At the bottom of this post there will be a list of some related post you can read.

[sskblr]

My CPAP provider asked me to use cotton and hand sanitizer to clean the mask every day. I did it for a week. Then I read the mask manual that advised against using alcohol based cleaning agents. Now I plan to use mild dish wash soap and warm water once a week.

[DeepBreathing]

Weekly for me. But the fact that there are so many different opinions probably means that it doesn't really matter a lot.

[ajack]

It'd like diabetics and the lancet, some change it every time, 7 or more times a day. Some change it once a month. You will get into your own routine.

[dmeRT]

as mentioned before, there are a lot of varying instructions out there. here's a copy of the handout I give out.



CPAP (BIPAP) EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE
DAILY:
1. Wipe mask with a damp cloth – No soap is necessary.
2. Rinse out humidifier chamber and fill with fresh distilled water nightly.
3. Wipe CPAP with a damp cloth – no detergents necessary

WEEKLY (or more often as needed):
1. Mask/nasal pillows, water chamber for humidifier and exhalation valve(when applicable):
a. Remove the HEADGEAR from the mask
b. Remove water chamber from humidifier
c. Gently wash the mask, water chamber, and exhalation valve in warm water and mild dish soap. DO NOT use any cleaners containing conditioners or moisturizers-they will leave a residue.
d. Rinse thoroughly
e. Air dry
2. Headgear and / or chin strap, tubing.
a. Hand wash with a standard laundry detergent or dish soap. DO NOT use bleach or any harsh chemicals.
b. Rinse thoroughly
c. Line dry DO NOT PUT IN DRYER
d. Reattach to your mask/nasal pillows( a slight readjustment may be need after repeated washings)
3. Filter
a. Non-Disposable Filter (if applicable) - rinse under running water
b. Disposable Filter (if applicable) – check for discoloration
***NOTE: DO NOT WASH DISPOSABLE FILTERS***

AS NEEDED:
1. Change disposable filter when discolored (normal use 1 – 3 months)
2. May disinfect mask in a solution of 1 part white distilled vinegar to 2 parts water for NO LONGER than 10 minutes following illness or as needed.

CAUTION: DO NOT CLEAN ANY PART OF THE SYSTEM WITH ALCOHOL, CLEANING SOLUTIONS CONTAINING ALCOHOL OR STRONG HOUSE HOLD CLEANERS!!!!!!

[personal111]

A bottle of Dawn or equivalent is more than enough.
You don't need that $300 machine.
Washing once a week and wiping out daily works fine.

[C0mbe]

I find my p10 seal is better when clean, so at a minimum I wipe down mask with a wipe, but my general routine is to clean the mask, humidifier once a day in warm water with soap. Once a month I clean the heated hose.

Once every two months or so I wash everything in control III.

Everyone does it differently.

[OMyMyOHellYes]

About once a month to wash mask and hose. Probably overkill at that.
Filters occasionally when dirty (for some monthly, some longer)

OMMOHY