Cleaning with hydrogen peroxide

[Fats Drywaller]

The therapist had told us to empty the water container every morning, let it dry and refill to the first line each night (Resmed 10 Autoset).

Yes, that's exactly whatcha gotta do. Your RT in that case was correct. (A stopped clock is right twice a day.)

Instructions for all of this stuff are in the user's guide provided by the manufacturer of the device or component in question: machine, humidifier, mask, hose. Anything that is not mentioned in those instructions (for instance, essential oils, bleach, hair spray, eye of newt, wing of bat) should not be used unless you're certain that it's harmless, like hydrogen peroxide.

[Sabee]

I do change the water everyday  Let me tell you that I find it is expensive. But I am afraid of what germs I could inhale if I don't do it. So I think I will go on with my organic dish soap as they say it is very soft even for the hands.

Thank you for your answer. I am at a loss with all there is to know about the therapy .. 
Sabee

[Sleeprider]

If you remember to dump the water every day, and let the container dry, it is very unlikely any biological organism could establish a colony (biofilm) or that the evaporation could create mineral deposits. It is only by continuous wetness or evaporation without a change of water that either of those things can happen. No contamination means no need for higher levels of cleaning or disinfection. It is when you neglect to do the prevention that detergents, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, etc come into play.

[Fats Drywaller]

I do change the water everyday  Let me tell you that I find it is expensive. But I am afraid of what germs I could inhale if I don't do it. 

Many people here use tap water instead of distilled water, and they say it works fine. There will eventually be some lime (calcium) buildup in the humidifier tank from the water, just as on shower walls, but that's harmless and it can be removed with diluted vinegar. Just don't use any abrasive scrubber when cleaning the plastic; use a soft cloth only.

Emptying and drying the tank every morning (after letting the humidifier heater cool down for a few minutes) will reduce the lime buildup, and another reason for doing that is to prevent mold forming. When it does form, that can be even worse than bacterial buildup, causing various respiratory problems, etc. ... again similar to bathtub and shower surfaces.

[Snoring Bear]

I do change the water everyday  Let me tell you that I find it is expensive. But I am afraid of what germs I could inhale if I don't do it. 

Many people here use tap water instead of distilled water, and they say it works fine.  There will eventually be some lime (calcium) buildup in the humidifier tank from the water, just as on shower walls, but that's harmless and it can be removed with diluted vinegar.  Just don't use any abrasive scrubber when cleaning the plastic; use a soft cloth only.

Emptying and drying the tank every morning (after letting the humidifier heater cool down for a few minutes) will reduce the lime buildup, and another reason for doing that is to prevent mold forming.  When it does form, that can be even worse than bacterial buildup, causing various respiratory problems, etc. ... again similar to bathtub and shower surfaces.

Thanks for the additional info on the humidifier tub.   Two additional questions:

1.  What happens if the humidifier runs completely out of water before you wake up... anything bad?

2. You mentioned letting the humidifier warmer cool down for a few minutes before emptying the excess water.  I guess that just means a few minutes after turning the machine off?

Thanks!

[Fats Drywaller]

Unfortunately, the A10's designers didn't include a water-level sensor triggering an automatic heater shutoff. So with the A10, at least, it's not good to run out of water while the heater is switched on in the settings ("Humidity Level"), because you could get a slightly scorched humidifier tank bottom. I've never seen anything (here or elsewhere) saying that it's hazardous, but people have reported a bad smell from the scorching. I see at least two threads about that:

http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...t-of-water

and

http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...t-of-water

But don't fill the tank past the "MAX" line.

About the cooldown, yes, just a few minutes after stopping the machine should do it, so you don't burn your fingers on the plate on the bottom of the tank.

[Sleeprider]

We have run out of water (my wife and I), either because we forget to fill or refill. Over time, any hard water (calcium) can build up if the tap water we use fully evaporates. It is easily dissolved with vinegar, and I have also used Lime-A-Way which is more aggressive. Either should be rinsed and is no problem and leaves no residue or damage. The humidifier chambers are considered consumables, and insurance replaces them on a 6 month interval. I would suggest not going longer than 2-years because they eventually leak.

[Snoring Bear]

Unfortunately, the A10's designers didn't include a water-level sensor triggering an automatic heater shutoff.  So with the A10, at least, it's not good to run out of water while the heater is switched on in the settings ("Humidity Level"), because you could get a slightly scorched humidifier tank bottom.  I've never seen anything (here or elsewhere) saying that it's hazardous, but people have reported a bad smell from the scorching.  I see at least two threads about that:

http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...t-of-water

and

http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...t-of-water

But don't fill the tank past the "MAX" line.

About the cooldown, yes, just a few minutes after stopping the machine should do it, so you don't burn your fingers on the plate on the bottom of the tank.

Thanks FD!  After reading through the two threads you provided, I'm glad I raised the question.  - I'll be careful to not run out of water.  I've started setting humidifier to #4, but think I'll try #3 tonight. I've only had this unit for about four days... Lots to learn. Thanks again!

[Big Guy]

I quit using distilled water in the reservoir a few months ago. Been using tap water ever since. I empty the reservoir every morning w/o fail. I wipe it dry with tissue and then allow it a couple of hours to air dry further. Once a week or so, I'll use a Clorox anti-bacterial wipe on it The ones I use do not have any bleach in them. 

No signs what-so-ever of any problems or issues. It still looks as clean and shiny as the 1st night I used it.

In regards to the reservoir running out of water, that's never happened to me as of yet. I've got a pretty good feel now as to how much it will use in a night on my particular humidity setting.

[Snoring Bear]

I quit using distilled water in the reservoir a few months ago. Been using tap water ever since. I empty the reservoir every morning w/o fail. I wipe it dry with tissue and then allow it a couple of hours to air dry further. Once a week or so, I'll use a Clorox anti-bacterial wipe on it The ones I use do not have any bleach in them. 

No signs what-so-ever of any problems or issues. It still looks as clean and shiny as the 1st night I used it.

In regards to the reservoir running out of water, that's never happened to me as of yet. I've got a pretty good feel now as to how much it will use in a night on my particular humidity setting.

It sounds like you have things perfectly under control.  Do you boil your tap water?  I've heard of people doing that in lieu of using distilled water. I'm not sure of the difference in doing so.

After I rinse my humidifier tub with hot water in the morning, I just turn it upside down and let it air dry... so far so good!