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+--- Thread: Soap -- Mask Cleaning (/Thread-Soap-Mask-Cleaning)
Soap -- Mask Cleaning - 312capri - 06-22-2012
I remember that someone here recommended using baby shampoo to clean the silicon seal on our masks every morning. I had been using antibacterial hand soap with light moisturizers; however, today while at Wal Mart we found so "Equate" brand baby wash & shampoo... it claims to be hypoallergenic so we bought it... I liked the idea of using the antibacterial soap to help keep the bacteria from forming in the mask; however someone here thought it would harm the silicon seal... Anyone have additional views or ideas on this subject?
I wash my face every night before putting the mask on and had been also using the antibacterial hand soap to keep the bacteria down.... Additionally, I wash/soak the mask and hose once a week using the antibacterial hand soap... should I consider only using the baby wash & shampoo?
Thanks again for this wonderful forum....
RE: Soap -- Mask Cleaning - zonk - 06-22-2012
(06-22-2012, 05:18 PM)312capri Wrote: Anyone have additional views or ideas on this subject?Some use wipes but I wash the mask in the shower
RE: Soap -- Mask Cleaning - 312capri - 06-22-2012
i just remember that my DME supplier told me never to use Dawn dish soap for cleaning the mask... she said that it would destroy the silicon face seal! I just remember they used it by the 55 gallon drum to clean the birds soaked in crude oil after the accident in the Gulf of Mexico!
RE: Soap -- Mask Cleaning - trish6hundred - 06-22-2012
Hi 312capri, I have used baby shampoo and have had good results. If I'm not mistaken, a lot of the literature regarding the different masks advise against using anti-bacterial soaps because they can be hard on them. I would say that if you haven't had problems with leaks after using anti-bacterial soaps, I guess you are okay. I think I would opt for the milder soaps such as baby shampoo or milder dishsoaps without anti-bacterial agents though. Of course, this is my opinion and this is what has worked for me.
RE: Soap -- Mask Cleaning - Suzjohnson - 06-22-2012
I use Ajax liquid hand dishwashing soap. It's antibacterial and does a great job of removing facial oil that accumulates during the night. Have not noticed any degradation in the quality of the cushion or the seal. I switched from baby shampoo on the recommendation of an RT that fits masks to patients that are going in for sleep studies as well as being a hosehead herself.
Suz
RE: Soap -- Mask Cleaning - big_dave - 06-22-2012
(06-22-2012, 05:48 PM)312capri Wrote: i just remember that my DME supplier told me never to use Dawn dish soap for cleaning the mask... she said that it would destroy the silicon face seal! I just remember they used it by the 55 gallon drum to clean the birds soaked in crude oil after the accident in the Gulf of Mexico!
That never occurred to me. I've been using Dawn, but I'll go get some baby shampoo the next time I go grocery shopping. Thanks!
RE: Soap -- Mask Cleaning - JJJ - 06-22-2012
(06-22-2012, 05:48 PM)312capri Wrote: i just remember that my DME supplier told me never to use Dawn dish soap for cleaning the mask... she said that it would destroy the silicon face seal! I just remember they used it by the 55 gallon drum to clean the birds soaked in crude oil after the accident in the Gulf of Mexico!
If it's true that Dawn will destroy the silicone face seal, I wonder what it is in Dawn that does the damage. I don't ever buy Dawn, so I don't have a bottle to look at the ingredients list. I would be surprised if the same ingredient didn't turn up in a lot of other products.
But I have to say that this leaves me skeptical. It has all the ring of an urban myth.
RE: Soap -- Mask Cleaning - Sleepster - 06-23-2012
I was told to use anti-bacterial hand soap -- but not the kind with additives for softening the skin.
RE: Soap -- Mask Cleaning - Dawei - 06-23-2012
Hi, 312capri. I've been using Ivory liquid to clean masks and humidifiers for over five years and have not seen any damage or deterioration to mask seals.
RE: Soap -- Mask Cleaning - CHanlon - 06-23-2012
(06-22-2012, 05:48 PM)312capri Wrote: i just remember that my DME supplier told me never to use Dawn dish soap for cleaning the mask... she said that it would destroy the silicon face seal! I just remember they used it by the 55 gallon drum to clean the birds soaked in crude oil after the accident in the Gulf of Mexico!
I've used dawn antibacterial dish soap to clean mine since I started CPAP - 2 years next month. Every day. I'm thinking about ordering a new mask cushion next month, just because it's 2 years old.
I chose dawn *specifically* because its been shown to be the best thing to use for cleaning up birds and marine mammals after oil spills.
http://news.discovery.com/animals/dawn-detergent-oil-spills-animals.html