Really concerned with cleaning

[Personxyz]

Thanks for all your replies.
 
I suffer from pretty serious OCD so I go overboard with a lot of things. It's something I'm working on improving. I'm aware of how irrational my actions often are but the compulsion to do them remains hard to overcome.
 
You've all explained the logic of why I'm overreacting very clearly so I will resolve to just use baby shampoo and water.

[Sleeprider]

You're certainly not alone, and anxiety is difficult to overcome. We have a number of members that deal with OCD or anxiety over treatment and hygiene issues. What seems irrational to those of us that are not afflicted, is very hard to overcome by someone like yourself. Please consider the comments here supportive, and feel free to discuss any other aspects of your therapy that concern you. Our membership includes a microbiologist and other experts that can help put your risks/concerns in perspective.

[Personxyz]

You're certainly not alone, and anxiety is difficult to overcome. We have a number of members that deal with OCD or anxiety over treatment and hygiene issues.  What seems irrational to those of us that are not afflicted, is very hard to overcome by someone like yourself.  Please consider the comments here supportive, and feel free to discuss any other aspects of your therapy that concern you.  Our membership includes a microbiologist and other experts that can help put your risks/concerns in perspective.

Thanks for the kind words Sleeprider. I'll likely be back on the forum in a week or so when I get my machine and mask. Hopefully all goes well, my sleep is appalling and even simple day to day tasks are becoming hard to complete.

[SarcasticDave94]

You're certainly not alone, and anxiety is difficult to overcome. We have a number of members that deal with OCD or anxiety over treatment and hygiene issues.  What seems irrational to those of us that are not afflicted, is very hard to overcome by someone like yourself.  Please consider the comments here supportive, and feel free to discuss any other aspects of your therapy that concern you.  Our membership includes a microbiologist and other experts that can help put your risks/concerns in perspective.

Thanks for the kind words Sleeprider. I'll likely be back on the forum in a week or so when I get my machine and mask. Hopefully all goes well, my sleep is appalling and even simple day to day tasks are becoming hard to complete.

Best to you while you wait on the machine. I have been at a similar point as you where just functioning was difficult due to very poor sleep. Be safe...

[Personxyz]

You're certainly not alone, and anxiety is difficult to overcome. We have a number of members that deal with OCD or anxiety over treatment and hygiene issues.  What seems irrational to those of us that are not afflicted, is very hard to overcome by someone like yourself.  Please consider the comments here supportive, and feel free to discuss any other aspects of your therapy that concern you.  Our membership includes a microbiologist and other experts that can help put your risks/concerns in perspective.

Thanks for the kind words Sleeprider. I'll likely be back on the forum in a week or so when I get my machine and mask. Hopefully all goes well, my sleep is appalling and even simple day to day tasks are becoming hard to complete.

Best to you while you wait on the machine. I have been at a similar point as you where just functioning was difficult due to very poor sleep. Be safe...

Thanks SarcasticDave94, hope you are safe and well too.

[SarcasticDave94]

Welcome

[gwc2795]

Do as you are compelled to do. We are just pointing out that the machines are not as dirty as people think.

[mesenteria]

We contaminate our new masks the instant we remove them from their wrappers. We contaminate them anew the instant we replace them on our faces after washing them. They get exposed after we set them aside to air-dry if we wash them.

It's best not to be consumed about this. Just do rinse off your mask with maybe a dab of dish detergent, doesn't have to be Dawn, with plenty of water. Do set it aside to air-dry, and feel confident that you are keeping the mask 'clean', or at least mostly free of skin oils and drool. Good luck ridding yourself of those two.

[Fats Drywaller]

Just to add one further point to the excellent replies already:

Remember that whatever substance you use on the mask's mouthpiece or cushion or pillows, you'll be inhaling the residue of it (there will inevitably be some).  Would you really want to be inhaling trace amounts of Lysol or whatever?  I sure wouldn't.

Related article: "Cleaning sprays may cause long-term lung damage", widely reported last
February:

https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20180220...ung-damage

[nightshift]

I think a quick rinse with hydrogen peroxide and air dry would be an inexpensive and safe way to disinfect, if you are so inclined.