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cleaning
Hi group was just wondering what all of you use to clean your mask and machines, and how often thanks
Views: 91
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Charles Austin Beck on
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I am interested in this topic too. Hope to hear from others. I put my mask in really hot water, and Clorox. After it sets awhile, I rinse it with water. My sister uses vinegar on hers.
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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on
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I use a mild soap- Ivory handwashing soap- on my mask and hose. No antibacterial products. I wash the mask daily, the hose weekly. I rinse the humifier tank with clean water and allow to dry daily and wash with vinegar and water weekly. The outside of the machine I wipe down with a damp cloth weekly or more often if needed. Clorox and very hot water are not recommended. I use warm water. It's important to keep your equipment clean. The mask especially because for a good seal you need a clean face and clean mask. I have used diluted vinegar on my hose, but just went back to soapy water.
There are mask cleaning wipes you can buy, I bought some unscented ones, but don't feel they do a good job. After I clean my mask with soap and water the cushion looks like new. When it starts to get dull looking, usually about six weeks, I replace it.
Good luck,
Mary Z.
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I was wondering why no antibacterial, or clorox. I am afraid of black mold, and germs.
Mary Z said:I use a mild soap- Ivory handwashing soap- on my mask and hose. No antibacterial products. I wash the mask daily, the hose weekly. I rinse the humifier tank with clean water and allow to dry daily and wash with vinegar and water weekly. The outside of the machine I wipe down with a damp cloth weekly or more often if needed. Clorox and very hot water are not recommended. I use warm water. It's important to keep your equipment clean. The mask especially because for a good seal you need a clean face and clean mask. I have used diluted vinegar on my hose, but just went back to soapy water.
There are mask cleaning wipes you can buy, I bought some unscented ones, but don't feel they do a good job. After I clean my mask with soap and water the cushion looks like new. When it starts to get dull looking, usually about six weeks, I replace it.
Good luck,
Mary Z.
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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on
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Clorox/bleach will eat into the rubber liner forming pockets that may come in contact with your skin. If you need to use something stronger I would suggest something like control II or cavacide. The machine is an extension of you. keep it as clean as you need it to be.
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Charles, well, you're only talking about your own germs, those usually don't hurt you. The mask literature I have read says don't use antibacterial products- we had a big discussion about this a bit ago, but I don't remember the consensus reason not to use antibacterials. Clorox will degrade the mask and is overkill. Read the literature that came with your mask or go on line to find it, or call your DME for suggestions on cleaning. I'd say if you find back mold on your mask after washing daily with warm soapy water there's a problem somewhere. Put your mask where it can airdry in a clean, dry place, not the inside of the shower or bath.
Welcome to sleepguide, keep posting and keep us posted on what you decide about cleaning, please.
Mary Z.
Charles Austin Beck said:I was wondering why no antibacterial, or clorox. I am afraid of black mold, and germs
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No I have not had a problem with mold. I just figured mold likes damp places. Thanks for the info. I have been negligent about daily cleaning. Ha, my sister in law has been saying, ever since my wife passed that, I need a woman to take care of me. I guess I will have to do better. Evey day?
Mary Z said:Charles, well, you're only talking about your own germs, those usually don't hurt you. The mask literature I have read says don't use antibacterial products- we had a big discussion about this a bit ago, but I don't remember the consensus reason not to use antibacterials. Clorox will degrade the mask and is overkill. Read the literature that came with your mask or go on line to find it, or call your DME for suggestions on cleaning. I'd say if you find back mold on your mask after washing daily with warm soapy water there's a problem somewhere. Put your mask where it can airdry in a clean, dry place, not the inside of the shower or bath.
Welcome to sleepguide, keep posting and keep us posted on what you decide about cleaning, please.
Mary Z.
Charles Austin Beck said:I was wondering why no antibacterial, or clorox. I am afraid of black mold, and germs
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Permalink Reply by birdshell on
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I am very sensitive (allergic?) to fragrances. I use a fragrance-free dishwashing detergent, such as Method. (Or, sometimes...if I can find them, fragrance-free Dawn or Ivory.) I read the label to be sure that there is no masking fragrance, which is still a fragrance and can be in "unscented" products. Daily, I wash the seal with the warmest/hottest tap water I can, rinse it well in the same, and shake as much water off as possible before leaving it to air-dry.
I then have used the method recommended to me by my first RT at the DME provider's orientation: First, wash everything (NOT THE MACHINE!!!!) as above; humidifier tank, lid, seal, the hose, mask hose and parts (sans headgear--anything that is not cloth). I use a container that holds it all, wash with detergent and water, and then put the parts into the container, fill with warm water, close the leak-proof lid and shake the entire thing. I replace the water and repeat, just to be sure the detergent is thoroughly rinsed away. Next, I fill the container with a solution of 1 part vinegar and 10 parts of water, soak for 30 minutes, rinse and allow to air dry. A sleep tech (RPSGT) told me that if sick, to do the whole thing daily with a solution of 1 part vinegar to 4 parts of water.
Now, you should know that occasionally I am NOT a daily cleaner, and I have sometimes gone over a week for my vinegar and water soak. I generally see no problem with that, but I was raised in a somewhat OCD family. I always feel guilty when I do not do my "prescribed or proscribed" routine.
A good friend who is a sleep tech (RPSGT) suggested that Control III was a good alternative, and I intend to try it. It is cheaper than vinegar! It MAY even be more effective. The most economical place to find it (at least for me) is at cpap.com and I have searched the Internet before, but not in the past few months.
I have also been told by a very experienced sleep tech that a 5-10% chlorine bleach solution is OK on occasion or in a pinch for soaking, after cleaning. I have not been brave enough to do so, but it is good information to file away for emergencies.
Please note that sleep labs sterilize masks with (generally) more drastic methods, and are recommended to do so a limited number of times as a result. The number of times that is acceptable varies by mask and manufacturer's recommendations, but seems to be 10 or 15 times in general.
I hope this does not muddy the waters, so to speak, for this discussion of cleaning procedures. It is always a topic that gets an awful lot of discussion and differing opinions.
Karen
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Permalink Reply by 99 on
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take the hint charles perhaps she is that woman to take care of you
Charles Austin Beck said:No I have not had a problem with mold. I just figured mold likes damp places. Thanks for the info. I have been negligent about daily cleaning. Ha, my sister in law has been saying, ever since my wife passed that, I need a woman to take care of me. I guess I will have to do better. Evey day?
Mary Z said:Charles, well, you're only talking about your own germs, those usually don't hurt you. The mask literature I have read says don't use antibacterial products- we had a big discussion about this a bit ago, but I don't remember the consensus reason not to use antibacterials. Clorox will degrade the mask and is overkill. Read the literature that came with your mask or go on line to find it, or call your DME for suggestions on cleaning. I'd say if you find back mold on your mask after washing daily with warm soapy water there's a problem somewhere. Put your mask where it can airdry in a clean, dry place, not the inside of the shower or bath.
Welcome to sleepguide, keep posting and keep us posted on what you decide about cleaning, please.
Mary Z.
Charles Austin Beck said:I was wondering why no antibacterial, or clorox. I am afraid of black mold, and germs
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