Cleaning CPAP & AirTouch F20 Mask

[PoutinePrincess]

Good morning from PoutinePrincess in Canada, 

I’m a new APAP user and am looking for guidance on cleaning my AirSense 11, and its supplies (humidifier, tubing etc.), and my AirTouch F20 mask. I’ve taken a look at the user guide for both (in PDF editions, page 17, AirSense 11 user guide, and page 13, AirTouch F20 user guide), however I am looking for a step by step on what you use (what kind of soap/supplies), what you do, how long you let things soak, how hot your water is, what your process looks like, and how often you clean each part etc. It seems very overwhelming and quite the task. Thank you kindly! 

[PeaceLoveAndPizza]

Everyone has their own cleaning strategy. My recommendation is don’t overthink it.

Here is what I do. You will get responses from others as well and you can form your own approach.

• Hose - washed about twice a year by soaking in warm soapy water. I use whatever dish soap is around, but is usually Dawn. I soak it about 30 minutes, then rinse with warm water. I hang it in the shower to dry. It is okay to use it again even if not fully dry as the air moving through it will dry it out. I do not put anything like a bottle brush or such inside to clean it. My current hose is about 4 years old and looks new.
  
• Mask - wiped daily with baby bum wipes. I wash them about twice a year with the hose and water chamber. I replace the mask cushion at least once a year, possibly twice depending on how it is working. Mask headgear I replace about the same frequency being twice a year if needed. My current headgear is 4 months old, cushion is 6 months old, and mask frame is around 3 years old. Note: you do not want to soak the AirTouch as the memory foam will absorb moisture. Just wipe it down with baby wipes or similar product.
  
• Water chamber - washed about twice a year with the hose. I rinse it probably weekly with tap water. I only use homemade distilled water, so no typical particulates from tap water to get grungy. I am still on my original water chamber from 5 years ago.
  
• Air filter - probably replaced four times a year at the change of season. I have significant allergies and that seems to be fine. If I notice it looking dirty I’ll replace it ad hoc.
  
• Soft cervical collar (if you use one) - I typically get 4-6 months out of my Caldera Releaf collars. Replaced as needed.
  

Things to watch out for include headgear getting stretched out, mask cushions losing their flexibility, water chamber seals not sealing properly, hoses with wee leaks, and more that you will learn.

That’s about it. It is really very simple.

[TechieHippie]

I'm pretty new too. I'll add that I wash new supplies 2-3 times and soak with 1/3 vinegar for 1/2 hour or so before using. I'm super sensitive to chemicals and fragrances so if I washed something in Dawn I'd smell it for ages, glad for the birds who need a strong degreaser though That's just me, I use BioKleen unscented dishsoap for anything that will go on my face or that I will breath through. I have an Reverse Osmosis filter; our water has orange slime bacteria (Serratia marcescens) which is controlled by the chlorination so worse in the hot tap water. I use cold (chlorinated) tapwater for the first wash and rinse and then RO water mixed with some heated in my kettle for the last rinse.

I only use the filtered water in the humidifier even for cleaning. I've had to wash it once or twice as the bottom was getting slimy just from air exposure.