Cleaners

I couldn't find any recent or open forums on cleaners so I will try a new one. I am looking at cleaners and the more I read the less I think they are for me. I also use oxygen with my BiPap because I have COPD.

The talk about ozone is pretty darned scary. But washing my tube, mask and humidifier tank with water makes no sense to me. If I am trying to eliminate germs and mold caused by the water then how does washing them in water or water and vinegar help when the hose doesn't dry after it's washed. That's water laying around in that hose. Has anybody figured out a safe, efficient and affordable way to actually sanitize their machine?

I don't believe in the SoClean ozone machines, and the CPAP manufacturers do not recommend them either. I clean my mask, hose, and water reservoir, ideally once a week, first thing in the morning. I use full strength vinegar first, and then add some Dawn dish soap next, and then do a good final rinse with tap water. I then hang them to dry on the shower head in the bathroom to drip dry during the day. Some apparently use the CPAP pre-warm function to circulate air through the mask and hose, but I have never bothered with that. I do normally use the pre-warm feature before I go to bed each night though.

I have heard some say that the SoClean really bothers their breathing as there is apparently some residue.

I have discussed the SoClean with multiple physicians. Universal answer was that SoClean could not provide any data that the rather expensive device actually accomplished anything. I agree with those who advise cleaning weekly with vinegar, mild dish soap and complete cool water flush. Don't forget to clean the humidifier tank and any removable gaskets (ResMed).