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Permalink Reply by Mike on April 20, 2009 at 6:34pm

i developed a bacterial infection from a poorly fit mask that kept on scraping against my upper lip, until i had an open sore which got infected. but to answer your question, that wasn't because of improper cleaning.

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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on April 20, 2009 at 7:46pm

I haven't. I am really lax about cleaning and haven't had a problem. I am still on my original hose from August of 2007 and have never washed it. When I do use my humidifier I just top the water off (typically I just use passover mode) and have never used soap and water on it -- just a rinse under the faucet when I do clean (about once or twice since 07). My mask is lucky if it gets washed once a month. I take a shower before going to bed no matter how tired I am so my face is free from oils and dirt when I mask up. I have and do use masks that have been used previously and purchased from cpapauction and have just used hot soapy water to wash them.

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Permalink Reply by Daniel on April 20, 2009 at 8:19pm

Are you looking for anecdotal evidence to help justify not cleaning your equipment, or have you had a problem? I've met lots of people who are "relaxed" about cleaning their equipment with no ill side effects. However, I've also met one guy whose tongue turned black after not cleaning his tube for two months. Then there isa woman I know whose provider never even mentioned there was a filter in the back of the device. She used the CPAP for a year without changing the filter and wound up with a respiratory infection that the doctor attributed to her CPAP. Another guy I met decided to use chlorine bleach to clean his tube, and then was wondering why his lungs were burning the next day.

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Permalink Reply by BeeAsleep on April 20, 2009 at 8:46pm

Hi Daniel, Well pretty much the opposite, I tend to be a clean freak, so I worry about not washing my mask and hoses enough. It is hard for me to pull the hoses off the machine so I can't wash them out every day. I have to wear medication on my face at night and I try to keep it from the mask area. I am a newbie so I am trying to see what all you experts have to say with your years of experience. :>D I wash my grandaughter's plastic toys with a 1% bleach solution. But I guess I don't need to do that with the mask or hoses.

Daniel Levy said:

Are you looking for anecdotal evidence to help justify not cleaning your equipment, or have you had a problem? I've met lots of people who are "relaxed" about cleaning their equipment with no ill side effects. However, I've also met one guy whose tongue turned black after not cleaning his tube for two months. Then there isa woman I know whose provider never even mentioned there was a filter in the back of the device. She used the CPAP for a year without changing the filter and wound up with a respiratory infection that the doctor attributed to her CPAP. Another guy I met decided to use chlorine bleach to clean his tube, and then was wondering why his lungs were burning the next day.

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Permalink Reply by Daniel on April 20, 2009 at 10:16pm

The cleaning routine I recommend is:

1) On a daily basis, rinse out the humidifier daily with regular tap water, and clean the nasal cushion or pillows with soap and water. Don't use antibacterial soap or soap with skin softening agents as these will affect the medical grade silicone.

2) On a weekly basis, thoroughly soak and rinse the humidifier chamber, the tube, and all the parts of the mask except the headgear. Use a mild soap like Ivory or Joy dishwashing liquid, as long as it is not the antibacterial kind.

3) On a monthly basis, after you've done the weekly routine, soak everything you clean weekly in a solution of one part distilled white vinegar to ten parts water. That's strong enough to kill any mold, mildew, or other nastiness, yet weak enough that it won't harm your lungs. After soaking about 20 minutes, rinse everything very thoroughly with water. Also on a monthly basis, check your filters. Wash out reusable filters, and replace disposable filters if they are visibly dirty.

Not too onerous. Some clean freaks do the weekly routine on a daily basis and the monthly routine on a weekly basis. No harm, but its more work than is usually necessary.

Good Luck!

Daniel

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Permalink Reply by BeeAsleep on April 20, 2009 at 11:03pm

Thanks so much! This is just what I needed! :>D

Daniel Levy said:

The cleaning routine I recommend is:

1) On a daily basis, rinse out the humidifier daily with regular tap water, and clean the nasal cushion or pillows with soap and water. Don't use antibacterial soap or soap with skin softening agents as these will affect the medical grade silicone.

2) On a weekly basis, thoroughly soak and rinse the humidifier chamber, the tube, and all the parts of the mask except the headgear. Use a mild soap like Ivory or Joy dishwashing liquid, as long as it is not the antibacterial kind.

3) On a monthly basis, after you've done the weekly routine, soak everything you clean weekly in a solution of one part distilled white vinegar to ten parts water. That's strong enough to kill any mold, mildew, or other nastiness, yet weak enough that it won't harm your lungs. After soaking about 20 minutes, rinse everything very thoroughly with water. Also on a monthly basis, check your filters. Wash out reusable filters, and replace disposable filters if they are visibly dirty.

Not too onerous. Some clean freaks do the weekly routine on a daily basis and the monthly routine on a weekly basis. No harm, but its more work than is usually necessary.

Good Luck!

Daniel

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Permalink Reply by Mike on April 22, 2009 at 1:28am

not the cleaning routine that i personally subscribe to, but a very good one for sure. perhaps i'll break this out as a separate thread so that more folks get the benefit of seeing Dan's cleaning regimen.

BeeAsleep said:

Thanks so much! This is just what I needed! :>D

Daniel Levy said:

The cleaning routine I recommend is:

1) On a daily basis, rinse out the humidifier daily with regular tap water, and clean the nasal cushion or pillows with soap and water. Don't use antibacterial soap or soap with skin softening agents as these will affect the medical grade silicone.

2) On a weekly basis, thoroughly soak and rinse the humidifier chamber, the tube, and all the parts of the mask except the headgear. Use a mild soap like Ivory or Joy dishwashing liquid, as long as it is not the antibacterial kind.

3) On a monthly basis, after you've done the weekly routine, soak everything you clean weekly in a solution of one part distilled white vinegar to ten parts water. That's strong enough to kill any mold, mildew, or other nastiness, yet weak enough that it won't harm your lungs. After soaking about 20 minutes, rinse everything very thoroughly with water. Also on a monthly basis, check your filters. Wash out reusable filters, and replace disposable filters if they are visibly dirty.

Not too onerous. Some clean freaks do the weekly routine on a daily basis and the monthly routine on a weekly basis. No harm, but its more work than is usually necessary.

Good Luck!

Daniel

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