I am on my second day with a Resmed S8 Autoset II APAP machine and Mirage Swift LT mask. The manual says that the humidifer, mask, and tubing should be cleaned with mild soap and water every day. However, the DME's respiratory therapist told me to do it once a week. So, forum experts, how often do you clean your equipment?

I clean my mask every night....occasionally skipping a night depending on how tired I am. A while ago someone posted a report on how CPAP masks were full of germs because people didn't clean them often. That made me start cleaning mine more.


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Previous Mask: F&P Zest (did not like)
Current Mask: Resmed Swift LT for her (nasal pillow)
CPAP: F&P Sleep Series 234

I have stopped cleaning my mask and my hose -- it doesn't really get dirty.  I have been on CPAP for ~14 years and haven't had any problems with infrequent cleaning; now I have just stopped cleaning them.  I will clean them if they start looking dirty.  I clean the dust off of my machine with alcohol occasionally.

I have stopped cleaning my mask and my hose -- it doesn't really get dirty.  I have been on CPAP for ~14 years and haven't had any problems with infrequent cleaning; now I have just stopped cleaning them.  I will clean them if they start looking dirty.  I clean the dust off of my machine with alcohol occasionally.

Don't clean mine very much either -- only when the mask starts to feel "dusty". I use only distilled water in the humidifier tho. Occasionally wipe the mask with a citrus wipe when I start feeling guilty

Bearded One wrote:

I have stopped cleaning my mask and my hose -- it doesn't really get dirty.  I have been on CPAP for ~14 years and haven't had any problems with infrequent cleaning; now I have just stopped cleaning them.  I will clean them if they start looking dirty.  I clean the dust off of my machine with alcohol occasionally.

Ahh!  Now there's a man!...A man after my own heart.  I can't remember the last time I cleaned mine.  When the tank gets scummy I swish some Chlorox or Tilex Mold and Mildew Remover (yeah I know.....don't say it.....!) around inside, rinse and it's good to go for another few months.



Last edited by NoseHose on Sun Sep 27, 2009 9:07 pm; edited 1 time in total
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My life was restarted on June 29th, 2007

58 yr. male
pre-CPAP apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 64
ResMed S8 Escape w/humidifier
ResMed Mirage Swift II nasal pillows system
Prescribed for a 6 but I like to fool with things, and prefer 7

oh my. You guys are grossing me out! I don't even like to put mine on my face if I don't wash it every night.


_________________
Previous Mask: F&P Zest (did not like)
Current Mask: Resmed Swift LT for her (nasal pillow)
CPAP: F&P Sleep Series 234

One thing that may make a difference is that I wash my face, beard, and hair with soap/shampoo daily; and I don't use anything else on my face, beard, or hair -- no conditioners,  no moisturizers, no sunscreen. no chapstick, no anything.  People who put stuff on their face or lips may get their mask dirty, even if they wash their face before bed.  Even though cold cream is used to remove makeup, it contains oil, which will get on a mask.  Cosmetics, hair conditioner, pomade, moisturizer, makeup, chapstick, and lipstick are all made primarily of various combinations of oil, grease, wax, water, scent, and coloring.  Oil, wax, and grease doesn't always wash off cleanly, and many people don't remove hair products, moisturizers or chapstick before going to bed.

What B.O. said, plus there's minimal facial contact with using nasal pillows.


_________________
My life was restarted on June 29th, 2007

58 yr. male
pre-CPAP apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 64
ResMed S8 Escape w/humidifier
ResMed Mirage Swift II nasal pillows system
Prescribed for a 6 but I like to fool with things, and prefer 7

Clean the nose pillow daily ( I should say nightly) and the hose weekly and the filter monthly.   Humidifier weekly ....  

Bacteria in your lungs would not not be good.  IMO

I replace my white filters when they are no longer white and I clean or replace the foam filter when I replace the white filter.  I haven't had any lung, ear, sinus or skin infections in the ~14 years that I have been using CPAP.  I have had strep throat a couple of times since I had my tonsillectomy ~13 years ago, but before that I had chronic strep throat and I don't think that CPAP had anything to do with those two boats of strep throat.

Me too.  I frustate the people at the DME when they call each month trying to push out supplies to me. "But you haven't replaced your filter in 6 months!"  "It's grey and it's fine", I tell them.


_________________
My life was restarted on June 29th, 2007

58 yr. male
pre-CPAP apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 64
ResMed S8 Escape w/humidifier
ResMed Mirage Swift II nasal pillows system
Prescribed for a 6 but I like to fool with things, and prefer 7

how do u disinfect your mask and tubing...just white vinegar...i have been sick for 3 weeks and i am concerned about the mask..reinfecting me  thanks  hybrid mask and bipap  15-10

I use green works by clorox. You aren't supposed to use anything with alcohol in it I don't believe and green works does not have that in it (to my knowledge).


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Previous Mask: F&P Zest (did not like)
Current Mask: Resmed Swift LT for her (nasal pillow)
CPAP: F&P Sleep Series 234

A 50-50 vinegar and water makes a good cleaner for humidifiers and hoses.