topic Re: Warning about CPAP cleaning devices in Wellness

Warning about CPAP cleaning devices

Icegoddess — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 02:18:47 GMT

I recently read about this in a group for Feline Asthma. CPAP cleaning devices like SoClean and the Sharper Image one sold on HSN use ozone as the cleaning agent. According to this article from NCBI: "Higher ambient ozone concentration may be associated with increased incidence of asthma in children and adults. Ozone pollution has been linked to respiratory symptoms and an increase in asthma exacerbations. There is also some evidence to suggest that ozone exposure increases reactivity to allergens in mild atopic asthma and increases risk of death in severe asthma."

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6134253/#:~:text=various%20CPAP%20cleaners.-,SLEEP%20MEDICINE%20PEARLS,appropriate%20education%20to%20CPAP%20users.

I do remember reading something about this a couple of years ago concerning some of those devices you can stick in your refrigerator to keep food fresh. Apparently, they also use ozone, although I don't know how much exposure one would get from the small amount of time one usually spends with the refrigerator door open.

Re: Warning about CPAP cleaning devices

Scooby Doo — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 14:55:43 GMT

Good to know. My DD uses the So-Clean and her DD has asthma, so I referred the article to her.

I've also read somewhere that the So-Clean really doesn't get the machine any cleaner than soaking the equipment in vinegar water.

Re: Warning about CPAP cleaning devices

CelticCrafter — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 20:34:04 GMT

Is there some sort of medication in the CPAP machines that they need cleaning every day?

I don't know anyone that uses one.

Re: Warning about CPAP cleaning devices

colleena — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 20:38:20 GMT

@CelticCrafter I clean mine completely each time I fill it with more distilled water so probably every 3 days - in reading this I realize I should be doing it more often. I hate the darn CPAP but it keeps me alive so guess it's a good thing.

Re: Warning about CPAP cleaning devices

alicedee — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 20:43:38 GMT

I used a cpap years ago....washed the mask every morning and took the hose in the shower with me....a squirt of liquid soap in it and easy to rinse and hang to dry there.

Re: Warning about CPAP cleaning devices

Jessa9 — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 20:49:00 GMT

@CelticCrafter wrote:
Is there some sort of medication in the CPAP machines that they need cleaning every day?

I don't know anyone that uses one.

Sort about the double post. I use a call and I clean the water tank and the mask everyday with peroxide. I clean the house with dawn about once a week and I'm fine and have been using one for 9 years

Re: Warning about CPAP cleaning devices

Icegoddess — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 20:55:52 GMT

@CelticCrafter wrote:
Is there some sort of medication in the CPAP machines that they need cleaning every day?

I don't know anyone that uses one.

@CelticCrafter I think it's just the bacteria from your breath plus being extra careful because not only are you breathing out, but you're breathing in whatever might be harbored in the tube. I don't use one either.

I don't think the Ozone method gets it any cleaner, it's just the hassle factor. It seems to me good ventilation is the key. Maybe put the cleaning device somewhere that you can exhaust to the outside, like the bathroom and turn on the fart fan while it's running.

Re: Warning about CPAP cleaning devices

tobes — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 21:47:37 GMT

@Icegoddess @Jessa9 @alicedee @colleena @CelticCrafter who cleans the cleaning device

Re: Warning about CPAP cleaning devices

Icegoddess — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 22:31:09 GMT

@tobes wrote:
@Icegoddess @Jessa9 @alicedee @colleena @CelticCrafter who cleans the cleaning device

@tobes Theoretically, the device cleans itself. It circulates ozone in and around the CPAP components that you put into the device chamber to sanitize them. As such, the ozone would also sanitizie the chamber itself.

Re: Warning about CPAP cleaning devices

alicedee — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 22:44:44 GMT

@tobes wrote:
@Icegoddess @Jessa9 @alicedee @colleena @CelticCrafter who cleans the cleaning device

@tobes I never used a device. Each morning I took the mask to the sink, put some antibacterial liquid soap on it, wiped with a wet cloth, and rinsed under hot water. I took the hose right into the shower with me....squirted a bit of soap in it, filled with water and rinsed it well. Hung it over the shower head to dry.

It was a routine that didn't take long. Sometimes the mask would get some kind of white buildup on it...I soaked it in vinegar and water and it cleaned right up.

Re: Warning about CPAP cleaning devices

Deeze — Wed, 26 Aug 2020 15:06:38 GMT

I clean my husband's cpap by hand and I am grateful for the helpful hints. I really appreciate the info that I get from reading these blogs and forums. I look forward to fhis each day.

Re: Warning about CPAP cleaning devices

Toppers3 — Thu, 27 Aug 2020 00:45:29 GMT

@Scooby Doo wrote:
Good to know. My DD uses the So-Clean and her DD has asthma, so I referred the article to her.
I've also read somewhere that the So-Clean really doesn't get the machine any cleaner than soaking the equipment in vinegar water.

My husband has an older C-PAP machine that you can't take apart to clean. It's enclosed.

You replace a small foam disposable/replaceable air filter underneath it.

You can clean or hand wash the other parts, like the masks and the hoses.

He was told to wash them routinely after soaking them for at least 15 minutes in a mixture of plain tap water and household white vinegar.

Then rinse them well in tap water, and allow the hose to air dry by hanging it up, like hanging it over your shower door/shower curtain/door--something like that.