Hydrogen Peroxide for Cleaning Humidifier Chamber

[daddyoh]

Has anyone had success with Hydrogen Peroxide in their CPAP water tank?

It comes in 3% and 35% mixtures 
At 3% poor it in the tank
At 35% the label says the ratio to use it 1 to 11 eg 1 teaspoon to 11 teaspoon of water.

I have come across good and bad reports using it, wondering.

[Big Guy]

My water reservoir doesn't get all that bad. Once in a while, a little mineral build-up will form, and I then take some white vinegar and pour enough in the tank to cover the bottom of it. 

I let it sit for about 15 min. or so, dump it out and then flush with water. It comes out clean as a shiny new whistle.

[daddyoh]

Hi Big Guy, Yep, I use Cetaphil baby wash to clean my mask and tank, I rinse it well and it comes out sparkling clean.
I will try your method on my hose, sounds good to me.

I was hoping if other members had used Hydrogen Peroxide and what results they had.

[Melman]

Be careful if you have 35% peroxide. It will burn you. 3%i is safe to handle and adequate to sanitize a reservoir once it has been cleaned with mild detergent .

[Sleeprider]

I commonly use 3% H2O2 for cleaning the reservoir. Be aware that if you leave it in to soak for a long time, it may discolor the metal in the reservoir. It does help to quickly clean the very tight corners and seams where you might otherwise miss.

[Big Guy]

My water reservoir will be three years old in Sept. I'm using regular ole tap water and the white vinegar to clean it every now & then. We have hard water here, so we filter it so that we can drink it. 

I can't really see the need to use anything that could be thought of as caustic to clean the reservoir. If you have to be concerned about not using too much of it, it's not for me.

[Melman]

3% peroxide is not caustic. I'm surprised to learn it can discolor the metal. It's the higher concentrations such as 35% that require gloves and eye protection.

[Sleeprider]

The bottom of the reservoir is supposed to be stainless steel, but I saw a brown tint when I left peroxide in to soak. It rubbed right out but I saw it, so no longer do more than clean and rinse.

My biggest use of peroxide is to treat the hot water heater at our cottage. The well water has some sulfur bacteria that find the how water a good place to generate some hydrogen sulfide, and about 1/2 quart of 3% peroxide is enough to aerate and knock down all odors. So the water stays fresh for showers and dishes.

[Cpapian]

I used it once in my reservoir and that night it leaked. I don't know if it was coincidence, but I didn't try again

[Hydrangea]

Could an admin/mod edit this post (either the title or the original post) to clarify that the hydrogen peroxide is for *cleaning* the humidifier tub, and not for breathing?

Am I the only one who reads the title and thinks the OP wants to use hydrogen peroxide in his humidifier tub?