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Hypochlorous acid disinfectant spray for cleaning masks - JCinPA - 01-20-2025
There are lots of mask cleaning threads here, but a quick search on hypochlorous acid turned up only two threads, one of them on ozone cleaning machines, which everyone knows are bad. I think this effective but little-known disinfectant deserves a thread of its own.
Hypochlorous acid is widely used in hospitals and doctors' offices, and in restaurant kitchens and to clean tables, but I've not heard it mentioned much as a household cleaner, and have never come across it in a CPAP forum. The stuff is magical! It is extremely effective at killing both bacteria and viruses, it is eco-friendly, totally non-toxic, and mild on the skin. In fact it is sometimes used as a face cleaner for those with Eczema, acne, and other skin issues.
Here is a WikiPedia link to it, but HOCL, is a bleach relative, but very mild and safe, and it breaks down into saline solution.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypochlorous_acid
You'll see its use as skin care on sites like the Cleveland or Mayo clinic. A restaurant site says this:
"HOCI is becoming more widely known (and used) in a variety of industries – including food service, hospitality, healthcare, travel and tourism, and more – because of its effectiveness in killing bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. It’s particularly effective against pathogens like Norovirus, Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, COVID and Influenza. It’s also important to note that HOCI is compliant with CDC, FDA, and EPA regulations."
I clean my nasal pillows with mild hand soap every morning and dry my tank. But on the weekends, I use this stuff. The specific product for CPAP is sold at Amazon and called CleanSmart ... but they are all identical, the CPAP is just marketing. I got two bottles of the CleanSmart because I keep one for CPAP use, and one in the kitchen for cleaning cutting boards after use. Clorox wipes stink too much, but this stuff does not smell at all. Here is the CleanSmart link.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PXFDJBM?ref=nb_sb_ss_w_as-reorder_k0_1_10&=&crid=19WMQNM0UHDP7&=&sprefix=cleansmart
After getting the two spray bottles, I get the 1 gallon refill to save money. This stuff.
https://www.amazon.com/BRIOTECH-Households-Professional-Facilities-Humidifiers/dp/B08S79WTJ4/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?crid=LTVSU47R7H47&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.V9Nc-IM0iJHSgEyrUoEOLwcS41HjfArfM7Yqt0WMMC7zb4nvLrZVDhEba1IV1PPzLEczj870q2zwUqLeiiJJ81F_UMGCjBnQS8YdkKHxEgydeok_fVi6aqgnVpGA4jA9AnSKJ270fcnPjCrtSkdF-80l4Xfsv00gKT38cxMC7oDjcQBGYJnxJzHnwdTMh5PjOs0au8c2T-79O_iVaCQpt0UsKPfMu1w5-ivAvhaxnww171jS5c8OQK-l7S5GN9NYkRxiyzPJwTcA7s29QVAHXhBa5cIKEHsUy4lISzZk_eI.NvYw-VnhWNkkuhOS9rRf5ry8sYehxdRsQk5qLchTuiM&dib_tag=se&keywords=hypochlorous+acid+spray&qid=1737383845&rdc=1&sprefix=hypoch%2Caps%2C107&sr=8-3-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1
This stuff is magical! No smell, no harshness, no need to rinse afterwards (because it breaks down to saline solution), just spray liberally and let dry. This has replaced my weekly vinegar/water soak. I used to do both, but now just use the hypochlorous spray. Could not be easier, is as effective or more effective than other methods, and fairly cheap. Try it!
RE: Hypochlorous acid disinfectant spray for cleaning masks - G. Szabo - 01-20-2025
(Yesterday, 09:57 AM)JCinPA Wrote: I get the 1 gallon refill to save money.
Be aware that "However, most hypochlorous acid water has a short shelf life."
RE: Hypochlorous acid disinfectant spray for cleaning masks - Big Guy - 01-20-2025
I'm good with using some hot water and some dish soap. That does everything I need it to.
RE: Hypochlorous acid disinfectant spray for cleaning masks - StratCat48 - 01-20-2025
Hot water and Dawn dish liquid every couple of weeks. Baby wipes on the mask and its plastic frame daily or when I think of it. That's all.
RE: Hypochlorous acid disinfectant spray for cleaning masks - Big Guy - 01-20-2025
When I feel the need for a fast and easy cleaning of my mask, Clorox Anti-Bacterial Wipes (Lemon Scent) work great. There is a lingering smell or aroma, but it dissipates quickly.
I keep them close to my CPAP.
RE: Hypochlorous acid disinfectant spray for cleaning masks - JCinPA - 01-20-2025
Good point about shelf life. Apparently it's designed to be used pretty quickly, which is the case in a restaurant setting. The gallon is probably not a good idea. I'm just cheap.
I'm going through mine because I'm using it on our cutting boards in the kitchen. Maybe I'll just stick with the spray bottles. I agree, though, soapy water clean is probably fine. I've seen studies which conclude CPAP stuff does not need to be "disinfected", and rarely causes any health issues.
RE: Hypochlorous acid disinfectant spray for cleaning masks - Sleeprider - 01-20-2025
I have operated a saltwater chlorine disinfected pool for many years and HOCl is the product of a saltwater chlorine electrolytic generator. We only maintain a residual 2 to 8 ppm of HOCL and it degrades back to a weak saline solution. It's pretty cool chemistry and a highly effective disinfectant. I have used the pool to clean and disinfect many things, but have not yet tossed in my mask. The stuff from Amazon is 170 ppm, (0.017%) is still pretty potent and could be diluted 10X and still be effective for disinfection. HOCl breaks down quickly in sunlight.
I was not aware of this product being sold for CPAP cleaning.
RE: Hypochlorous acid disinfectant spray for cleaning masks - JCinPA - 01-20-2025
I think it's sold primarily as a disinfectant for hospital/doctor office/restaurant use. I think the CleanSmart folks just found a good marketing angle.
It is highly effective, and very non-toxic and eco-friendly. Good on them for figuring out this application.
I won't be buying the gallon refills, though. I'll rebuy the small bottles for my cutting board use (I'm a cooking fiend) and CPAP use. I think the hot soapy water regimen is fine, I've seen no study that indicates more is needed. But I kinda like it.
Thanks for chiming in on pool use. Interesting product, for sure.
RE: Hypochlorous acid disinfectant spray for cleaning masks - Sleeprider - 01-20-2025
Maybe I'll just grab some bottles of concentrated return water in the pool.
RE: Hypochlorous acid disinfectant spray for cleaning masks - Rickyricardo - 01-21-2025
That gallon jug is likely to be salt water in a matter of weeks so it's not much of a replacement for plain old bleach or just soap and water.