Washing gear in bleach?

[bbbl67]

Is there any problem with washing your CPAP gear (hoses, masks, etc.) in diluted bleach water? Will it result in any degradation of the plastic and rubber parts?

Also how do you get rid of the bleach smell afterwards? Do you just leave it out to dry for a day or two?

[OpalRose]

Hello bbbl67,

I don't know of any recommendation to use bleach. It may degrade the silicone parts, but even so... the smell would take several rinses.

I doubt there's anything on your mask or in your hose that would require bleach.
I believe bleach is overkill unless you already have mold or biofilm junk growing.

I'm sure you'll receive many responses on this as there are many threads on the subject of cleaning our cpap equipment.

I use Dawn liquid soap, rinse well. Easy, takes a few minutes and no smell.

[sunsaffron]

I would also recommend against using bleach. Some basic dish soap should be fine, along with warm water and good rinsing. I've never had any equipment get too funky that way.

[ejbpesca]

While very diluted chlorine is a suggested way to clean silicone, I could not stand the smell that is left behind even with much rinsing.  I use a SoftSoap hand soap with no scent.  I wet the mask, rub the soap on a bit with no more water, then get water going on it for a bit more hand scrub.  The final rinse is rubbing the silicone cushion till it squeaks assuring oil is gone.

[Jeff8356]

Soap and water here also. If I feel that it needs more (about every 2 month's or so) I will clean everything well, then give it a 10 minute soak in a bucket with Control III sanitizer properly diluted.

[Big Guy]

As others have stated, don't use bleach. No need to! Soap & hot water is the ticket. 

[Melman]

Both Resmed and Phillips say not to use bleach or solutions containing chlorine in their user manuals.

[cmpman1974]

NO WAY

[Homerec130]

Do mine in the shower with the same soap I use for my hair and everything else (hey, I'm a guy).

Only time I add anything is a little vinegar when I get the calcium build up in the tank. Let it sit for a while, then rinse it out until I no longer smell the vinegar.

[YipeekiOH]

Kindly consider reading the cleaning instructions that come with your equipment. They are provided for users to know exactly how to care their stuff. No need at all to recreate the wheel. Plus, the bleach smell is kinda nasty. ?