Using cleaning brushes in heated tubing

[TiredTom111]

I use a heated hose with my machine, and I recently noticed that the heating element in the tubing quit working. I also use a brush that goes through the entire length of the tubing to clean it weekly. Does anyone know if using a brush inside the tube can damage the heating element?

[car54]

It should not harm it. I have used a brush for years.

[Sleeprider]

I just don't clean the tubing. I get new tubes every 6 months or so, but don't hesitate to go longer. I have never had a problem, and gave up cleaning a long time ago.

[BuzzaJim]

I hope it’s only coincidence, but I washed my hoses with a hose brush for the first time yesterday and I was missing flow rate and mask pressure today. All other charts were present. 

Those brushes have been around for years and it’s hard to believe they could cause such a problem.

It may have been the wrong place to post, but I just started a thread in the software forum. I figured if that’s the wrong place, a moderator will school me.

[Deborah K.]

I never wash my hose. All that goes through it is filtered air and a tiny bit of mist from distilled water. There's nothing to make the hose dirty.

[BuzzaJim]

It’s the first, and probably last, time I use the hose brush but my inquiry is whether washing the hose could have somehow resulted in the machine not storing flow rate data and mask pressure data to the SD card. All other data was stored as usual, just not that. 

I actually agree with you and Sleeprider that hose washing is unnecessary - I seldom do. I just thought I’d up my cleanliness game and I lost data that night. There are numerous posts on this forum where members describe how they clean their hoses. Are TiredTom111 and I the only ones to have problems after cleaning their hoses?  If such cleaning could result in problems, perhaps there needs to be more awareness.

[OpalRose]

I use a heated hose with my machine, and I recently noticed that the heating element in the tubing quit working. I also use a brush that goes through the entire length of the tubing to clean it weekly. Does anyone know if using a brush inside the tube can damage the heating element?

...... "my inquiry is whether washing the hose could have somehow resulted in the machine not storing flow rate data and mask pressure data to the SD card...."

BuzzaJim,
Your inquiry isn't the same as what TiredTom (the OP) is asking, which was: 
"Does anyone know if using a brush inside the tube can damage the heating element?"

Your inquiry is:  ..... "whether washing the hose could have somehow resulted in the machine not storing flow rate data and mask pressure data to the SD card...."

Since you posted this question in the Software Support Forum, it's best to wait for responses in that forum.  

My answer on TiredToms question......  My belief that it's possible to damage the inside of a heated hose by using a brush.  I'm not saying for certain, but if the brush is stiff, it might damage the coils, especially with excessive washing.

[PeaceLoveAndPizza]

Most CPAP equipment manufacturers offer suggestions on cleaning frequency and methods. That should always be the starting point. Both ResMed and Philips have published recommendations for cleaning and replacement, but some of us vary quite a bit from the recommendations for both.

Do what is most comfortable for you.

[BuzzaJim]

ResMed’s manual for the ClimateLine hose recommends weekly washing in warm soapy water. I used Dawn and added in the hose brush. If using a hose brush could potentially cause equipment problems, that caution should have been included in the cleaning section of the manual. It was not.

I like Sleeprider’s advice to skip the cleaning altogether and replace the hose more frequently.

[TechieHippie]

For anyone chemically sensitive, I like Biokleen unscented dish soap for many cleaning tasks including this. I use it with vinegar which I believe is safe for silicone?