Easy Way to Clean/Sanitize Hose

[green wings]

I use vinegar and water, too, but in closer to a 1:10 ratio. I usually use my washing machine for a soaking basin, mostly because my kitchen sink can't be relied on not to leak. I may have washed the hose on the "Gentle" cycle a few times, even though the RT at my DME specifically told me not to do that.

I usually just wash the hose under running water from the bathtub faucet using warm water and dish soap, though. The vinegar soaking is more of a monthly thing.

[stanleydean]

Hi Player, the fitting I use is one that came from one of my DMEs somewhere along the line, not sure what I had it for. Did I say common? Maybe I was oversimplifying. Your DME will probably have it and may just put one in with your next supply order if you request it.
Stan

[Sleeprider]

Vinegar stinks! If you want to acid sanitize get some Star San.

I agree. Vinegar does stink. I know I saw you post how to use Star San in another post, but I can't find it. Where do you purchase it and how do you mix it?

Star San is sold as a brewer's sanitizer and is used in many commercial kitchens. Any home-brew site or Amazon will sell it. Star San is very concentrated and is mixed 1-Ounce to 5-Gallons, or 1.5 cc to 1-quart. It is odorless and does not require rinsing.

[archangle]

Note that some heated hoses shouldn't be immersed in water.

Control III disinfectant is the "gold standard" in some ways. Read the instructions. The concentrate is a fairly strong chemical, but the properly diluted mix is pretty benign.

Note that it's a germ killer, not necessarily a cleaner.

To kill germs on your hose, you can use hot water. Read the ResMed info in the Useful Links in my signature line at the bottom of this post. Note that you don't use boiling water, you need to use 70-75° C water.

If you don't have a heated hose, replacement hoses are pretty cheap online, especially eBay. Most insurance will buy a new hose every 6 months. You really need at least one spare anyway.

Keep the old hoses as spares if they're not too grungy. Occasionally, thoroughly clean one of your hoses, dry it, and then set it aside for a week or two to thoroughly dry out. That will probably help keep the germ and mold growth potential down.