Why change my Swift FX pillows?

[Moriarty]

In Australia the insurance companies do not pay for CPAP consumables.

The average mask costs between $250 and $350 with replacment bits being stupid expensive.

My sleep clinic says to wash the mask bits daily and only replace them when they fail or leaks become a problem.

Since the nasal pillow material is impervious and easy to wash or even boil,germ build-up is a non-issue in my view.

I am still using the original Pilairo cushion that came with the mask 11 months ago... although the head gear failed at 10 months

[Mark Risley]

Every morning take if off and do you main thence. Have a mild soap by the sink. Do it while brushing your teeth. Let it soak and then when they with your teeth, take it out of your soaking solution, and use the mild soap in you hand and wash it gently. Then rinse with as hot water as you can stand. Then dry it well, even using Qtips to get all areas. Use it for a year if it stays comfortable and still looks clean. When it looks dirty, it probably is!

[Sandalbar]

I've been using the same Swift FX Nasal Pillows (medium) for almost 2 years, I wash them periodically, thats all, never had a problem.

Really, I haven't had problems with long use either. I guess I go a little under a year. I do clean them but not as much as some other folks do. Two each month? That is just silly. Besides I get a set of three sizes, what's up with that? Who needs three sizes? So I have three or four sets of tiny baby sized and really big nose guy sizes. That means I don't order new sets very often.

[trish6hundred]

Hi Sandalbar,
WELCOME! to the forum.!

[SheltieRescueBarb]

Good thing you brought this topic up! I had no idea I was supposed to change my pillows even once a month let alone more often. Not only have I been using the same pillows since February --- I'm too lazy to wash my equipment more than once a month or less. I haven't noticed any equipment problems. If I leak it's not anymore than I ever leaked back in February (which isn't much) and I haven't noticed any changes in the fit of the pillows. I wonder why the (is it the manufacturer?) would want us purchasing pillows so often? Hope this is helpful? - Barbara

[Sleepster]

Good thing you brought this topic up! I had no idea I was supposed to change my pillows even once a month let alone more often. Not only have I been using the same pillows since February --- I'm too lazy to wash my equipment more than once a month or less.

I can get several months of use out of my nasal pillows, others report that they lose elasticity and need to be replaced.

As for cleaning, well, some people do it more often than others. I try to wash mine at least once a week, but sometimes I will go longer than that when I get lazy.