Really concerned with cleaning

[JesseLee]

I was an Environmental Health major in college when i first enrolled. In the first couple of days the professor warned us that becoming overly concerned with some of the material we were about to consume would have the potential to drive a few of us in the class crazy. He added that regardless of what we took away from the class and whatever we decided to become focused on, the correct washing of the hands is the most important lesson anyone should become very familiar with.

[BrokenSleep54]

G'day Personxyz. Welcome to Apnea Board.

I think there is far too much bacteriaphobia around in our community these days, largely brought about by the advertising industry. We are constantly bombarded with advertisements for spays, wipes and potions to kill "harmful bacteria". The truth is that we carry trillions of bacteria on our skin and within our bodies and they do us no harm at all. In fact many of them are essential for our health and well-being.

There are one or two species that are genuinely harmful but in most cases our body's defenses are more than adequate to protect us against them.

Unless you are immuno-compromised, or live in an area with poor sanitation, I don't think you need to worry. Wash your equipment with mild soap or detergent or baby shampoo, rinse well in hot water and allow to air dry. I wash my gear once a week and have no problems over nearly five years. That includes trips to Indonesia, Myanmar and other places with lower standard sanitation.  Most long-term users will tell you the same thing.

I agree there's too much bacteriaphobia about CPAP equipment. I've been using CPAP for about 7 years, and using nebulizers with levabuteral for asthma therapy for decades. Disinfection instructions for the nebulizers are to use 1 part vinegar to 3 parts tap water as a disinfecting soaking solution, around 30 minutes of soak is recommended.

So when I started using CPAP, I did 3 steps:
1. soak mask and face cushions in diluted Dawn Antibacterial dish soap  (about 30 minutes) to dissolve the crud then wipe out and rinse.
2. Soak mask an face cushions in the 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water for 30 minutes or more for disinfection, then rinse and dry.
3. pour the dish soap solution above into the hose and slosh it around and rinse. Repeat with the vinegar solution.
My water tank I just rinse with tap water daily and let dry. Every week or so, my water tank goes into my dishwasher.


This has worked very well for me, and restores the elasticity of the face cushion well. This avoids using expensive special cleaning solutions, and I've had no problem with infections from my CPAP equipment.
For reference: I'm using a Resmed Mirage Quattro full face mask, and just started with my 2nd CPAP machine, a ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet.

[ConnCarl]

Lots of great information in this thread.

Just to add my 2¢, here's what I use:  <link to Citrus II Germicidal Deodorizing Wipes removed>

I chose that product because they're alcohol-free, and allegedly will not harm plastics or silicones.

Carl

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[JimInPT]

I use a SoClean 2 machine, which pumps ozone in a closed loop to sanitize the entire system, including the water in the humidifier and the inside of the CPAP machine  - cleaning hose and tubing doesn't touch that part of the system.  I wipe down the nosepiece but not sure why; I've never seen any schmutz on it.

It's only been a little over 5 weeks, but my system is still pretty pristine - I can't see any buildup of anything anywhere, but I don't use a full-face and don't cough gunk back upstream. And I'm not a germophobe so I don't stress about it. I just figure I'm keeping my immune system up to date.

[allanri]

If one is concerned about disinfecting one’s equipment there are lots of devices on the market that will do this. Some are quite expensive; some aren’t. I just saw one on that website with the same name as a South American river for less than $100.

If it makes you happier to go through the extra step of disinfecting with an ozone or ultraviolet machine, then do it!

Though as many have pointed out, it’s probably not necessary if you regularly clean your mask, humidifier and hose with warm water and a mild soap. Indeed, even if you have a disinfecting machine, you still need to wash your equipment once in a while. The disinfecting machine deals only with microscopic pathogens; it won’t remove debris or deposits like saliva, make-up, skin oils, dust etc.

[Melman]

Also ozone will not disinfect surfaces that are not clean. Bacteria in and under deposits of saliva, makeup, and skin oils will not be killed. Ozone does not penetrate such materials well. There is no substitute for regular cleaning with mild detergent and water to assure sanitary equipment.

[SarcasticDave94]

Also ozone will not disinfect surfaces that are not clean. Bacteria in and under deposits of saliva, makeup, and skin oils will not be killed. Ozone does not penetrate such materials well. There is no substitute for regular cleaning with mild detergent and water to assure sanitary equipment.

Melman is correct. In my humble opinion, we have no product available to us that will eliminate the task of manually cleaning the xPAP accessories with some form of soap and water. Works for me as I like keeping things simple.

[mpoirier57]

Hi Personxyz, welcome to Apnea Board.
Don't sweat the small stuff.
Establish a good cleaning schedule and protocol, get to every part of your system specially corners, and stick to it rigourously.
You will never have to worry about bacteria.
Good luck!

[bfmccarthy]

I assume you use plates and knives and forks as well as spoons in your house.  Everybody in your house will take turns putting those utensils into their mouths.  Nobody gets sick.  WHY???  DISH SOAP!!!   ALL SOAPS ARE ANTI-BACTERIAL BY NATURE. Just keep them in contact long enough to do the job therefore we SOAK everything so the soap can do its job.  Anti-Bacterial everything is newfangled marketing at its finest.  Hell Corn Liquor or whiskey are anti-bacterial.

[Sleeprider]

I assume you use plates and knives and forks as well as spoons in your house.  Everybody in your house will take turns putting those utensils into their mouths.  Nobody gets sick.  WHY???  DISH SOAP!!!   ALL SOAPS ARE ANTI-BACTERIAL BY NATURE. Just keep them in contact long enough to do the job therefore we SOAK everything so the soap can do its job.  Anti-Bacterial everything is newfangled marketing at its finest.  Hell Corn Liquor or whiskey are anti-bacterial.

Corn liquor and whisky is certainly what this thread needs.  Lightweights can use Vodka.