Nurse at doctor's office is saying to not use Dawn soap to clean CPAP

[michael9346]

I don't spend too much time worrying about it. Most liquid detergents have a ton of ingredients in them and I am no scientist so I couldn't tell you what they are. I buy it at Whole Foods as they have a very strict compliance list on ingredients so I just buy a mild detergent as that is what the mask and hoses ask for. My only point was that Dawn isn't classified as mild, although it's a great detergent. 


When I was in the Navy back in the 1960's we used Coca Cola to remove soap scum from the stainless showers. It only worked on the tiny 8 oz. bottle. Of course I am not recommending anyone use coke on your equipment, it's just funny what we used to clean the bulkheads. They didn't serve coke on the sub so I always was the first to start cleaning. One coke for the wall, and one coke for Mikey!

[Snoring Bear]

I hang mine by the straps. Have since night #1. The mask / pillow doesn't weigh enough to be a concern. 

I find it to be out of the way that way, and doesn't take up any space on my bedside stand.

I was kind of doing the same thing as you. - Here's the page I saw from Resmed. - - It seems even if the band stretched a little bit, the clips they show could be used to tighten things up.

[Big Guy]

I have a "J" hook on the wall. I place the mask on the J hook right under where one of the strap magnets attach to the mask itself. 

By doing this, no elastic band is being stretched.

[KSMatthew]

I suppose if you hang that headgear with a heavy heated hose and hose cover attached it might stretch the straps. Eventually you might not be able to adjust them or any give that's part of the material might reach its limit.

[KSMatthew]

Question for those that have used Dawn and have seen shortened life expectancy of mask parts:

How much did you dilute the cleaning solution?

I use Dawn (almost) every morning on my mask parts, just the silicone parts and pads that contact my face. I rinse them under warm water while rubbing them clean with a little Dawn on my fingers. I only use as much Dawn as I can get to just coat my finger, not even a full drop. Once I week I fill the sink and add a squirt or two and then soak everything. That's enough to get a good solution to clean and dissolve skin oils. On days I don't use Dawn I just swipe my fingers over a bar of face soap and use that instead.

The Dawn website doesn't have any info on it for cleaning CPAPs, but it does for baby bottles. That plastic and silicone is probably very similar to what you'll find in a CPAP mask:

https://dawn-dish.com/en-us/how-to-wash/...by-bottles

[Homerec130]

I have used baby shampoo for years on my mask and hose. If it is good for babies, then it is good enough for my machine parts. I have also always hung my mask by the straps as it is the only way the cats won't play with it. If they stretch a little, then that is why they make them so you can tighten them up.

Homer

[Big Guy]

I use Dawn, and I know I use way more than just a drop or two of it. I use my bathroom sink and clean it well prior to soaking  / washing any of my CPAP equipment. 

I use as hot a water as my faucet will produce. I get a lot of soapy bubbles. I let everything soak for a good 30 minutes. I then swish it all around a bit. I then rinse it all with more hot water. I have no doubt what-so-ever, it's all as clean and sanitary as can be. 

It then is allowed to air dry. I do use a clean towel to pat dry the headgear and to remove most of the water. That speeds up the drying process.

[CHanlon]

 As for my lungs, I rinse it off.

You know, I've never thought of it, but my lungs could probably use a good rinse off, too. :-p 

ROFL... I know what you are saying, but I had to read that twice, it made me chuckle.

[OMyMyOHellYes]

What would this nurse's qualification be to make him/her an authority on how to clean a CPAP hose? Do they have a special class for that in nursing school? Did they stay at a Holiday Inn Express?

Ask me something. Anything. If I don't know the answer, I'll make something up.

[AlanE]

The only possible problem with using some soaps is eventually they could extract enough of the petroleum from the plastic parts, seals gaskets, that they become less pliable. You may have a more difficult time getting a proper seal with the mask. Now having said that, if it got to that point - you are *way* over due for a a mask replacement.

I also use baby shampoo.