When is your cleaning day?

[PollCat]

When I first started using a CPAP, I'd wash it daily until my sleep doc told me it was okay to only wash it weekly.

Currently, I wash my mask and humidifier reservoir every Sunday morning followed by a 15-minute soak in diluted white vinegar. The hose gets a wash and vinegar treatment about once a month, usually at the same time I change the filter.

[Cutter]

In 10 years I've never washed the hose. I replace the hose when I get a new CPAP. I replace the nasal pillows when I get around to it. When I use the humidifier I rinse it out when I add more tap water. I have washed the air filters but not on a regular basis. I'm the only one using this equipment, I don't see the need to waste too much time cleaning it. I do dust the outside of the machine on Saturdays when I dust everything on my night stand. I didn't vote because you didn't have never.

[PollCat]

In 10 years I've never washed the hose. I replace the hose when I get a new CPAP. I replace the nasal pillows when I get around to it. When I use the humidifier I rinse it out when I add more tap water. I have washed the air filters but not on a regular basis. I'm the only one using this equipment, I don't see the need to waste too much time cleaning it. I do dust the outside of the machine on Saturdays when I dust everything on my night stand. I didn't vote because you didn't have never.

Cutter, please tell me that the above statements are a joke!! You ever heard of bacteria forming on unwashed surfaces? How often do you get colds, sinus infections, bronchitis? Even the owner's manuals tell you to wash your equipment on a regular basis.

[PaulaO2]

I do a weekly cleaning, usually just with hot water. Once a month, when I change the filters, I do a vinegar rinse and take the mask apart.

If you don't use a humidifier, cleaning the hose is not as important. The only moisture in it is from your breath and from the air.

[Tom]

Saturday mornings I clean the hose. A little soft-soap in the hose and warm water from the sink. I put my thumbs on each end of hose and slosh it around 10 times. Then hold end of hose on bathtub spigot and run water for 10 seconds thru hose. Hang to dry and all set for another week.

I clean the mask every morning with a little soft-soap in the sink for a couple of minutes. I air dry the cpap mask on a banana ripener (works perfect for full face masks).

Humidifier I just empty the water left over each morning and let it air dry. I use distilled water.

Been doing it this way for the past 5 years and have not died yet.

[Sleepster]

I find that if I don't wash the hose every few days I start getting a bad odor.

[Dreamcatcher]

My mask comes with an automated washing system.....Its called a tongue

I wash mine whenever it needs doing, I guess some dreams are dirtier than others

[Cutter]

In 10 years I've never washed the hose. I replace the hose when I get a new CPAP. I replace the nasal pillows when I get around to it. When I use the humidifier I rinse it out when I add more tap water. I have washed the air filters but not on a regular basis. I'm the only one using this equipment, I don't see the need to waste too much time cleaning it. I do dust the outside of the machine on Saturdays when I dust everything on my night stand. I didn't vote because you didn't have never.

Cutter, please tell me that the above statements are a joke!! You ever heard of bacteria forming on unwashed surfaces? How often do you get colds, sinus infections, bronchitis? Even the owner's manuals tell you to wash your equipment on a regular basis.

Sorry, I'm not joking. I seldom get colds, sinus infections or bronchitis. I'm allergic to ragweed in the fall. If you don't challenge the immune system, it will be weak when you need it. However, I don't recommend my lack of cleaning to anyone. Especially, if you have heath problems.

[SuperSleeper]

I think that the washing of a hose is probably more critical for those that use heated humidifiers... much more likelihood of bad stuff growing in a moist environment.

I don't use a humidifier at all, so don't need to wash quite as often (at least that's my excuse....er... I mean theory).

[mummerse]

I wash the mask and forehead pad everyday, take apart the mask and wash all pieces on Sunday and the mask, hose, humidifier chamber and try to remember the filter on Thursday (my day off)