I've been using my machine for ~15 years. I LOVE it! But, I get an occasional odor. A specific, sour smell of unknown origin, maybe 6 or 10 times a year? Any solutions? I can't be the only one getting it... (I get a Resmed every 5 years) It may be slight or pungent when I put the mask on. I use distilled water, rinsed and aired in the AM and refilled at night. I don't wash the mask regularly, and that doesn't seem to be the problem? It may make it go away, it may be back 2 days later. I've washed everything I can find. The hose, even drying it using a tissue and a 4' rod. I've washed the reservoir, the silicone seals at the reservoir intake. They looked fine. It doesn't seem to be the filter. I can't get to the area between the filter and the seals, but I doubt if that's the area. Generally, washing the mask does it. But not always. I don't think it's the hose (but my next machine will have the heated hose! I get tired of water collecting in the hose at night. Anyone have positive experiences with that?). And it's odd that it may be fine for a month. I'll wash the mask, and it may return in a few days. But generally doesn't. I know it should be cleaned more often, but I seem to be missing something. Why would it smell so bad, so quickly? And I can't isolate the smell. Even if it's strong - I can't really smell it when I disconnect the hose. Put the hose to my nose, and it's also not noticeable. Yes, it's driving me nuts! One thing I've noticed twice - the beginnings of mold in the res. The easiest way of cleaning? Soaking in a 10% bleach solution, rinsing, then blasting the chamber out with my waterpik! Nothing else gets in those hard to brush places. I also put ~ an eighth teaspoon of Listerine in the res at night, as a disinfectant. For the last year? Can't say it's helped. Hope it doesn't kill me... Thanks!
I can't say I've ever noticed a strong sour smell, but I do occasionally get a musty sort of odor like when you leave a wet towel in a pile of clothes and it stays damp too long. That's usually my hose and mostly happens with my heated tubing that tends to have water build up. I do also notice that strong smells in the house can build up in the tubing as well. Like if my husband is cooking something with onions for breakfast it comes through and can settle in the tubing. But you'd likely notice if there was something in the room giving off that strong of an odor.
I was always told only to use very mild cleaners so I'd be hesitant to use bleach. Vinegar usually works well to remove odors and will kill bacteria as well. I mostly just soak my CPAP parts but also occasionally notice the red buildup as well so I wipe it out when that happens before soaking.
When you first mentioned sour I wondered if you have a problem with reflux? If it could be from your exhaling and it just being absorbed into the plastic as plastic tends to hold smells? Or along the same lines is it actually even in the parts or if something like reflux are you just noticing/smelling it as you are breathing into the mask/tube?
Those are the only things I could think of but maybe someone else has experienced this.
Thanks. I rarely get reflux, and only notice the smell when I put the mask on. After that, it airs out, or I get used to it. I've seen other complaints about this, with no real resolution. It's happened with all 3 machines. Are you saying you have a heated hose - and still get condensation inside? Maybe I should just insulate the hose, and save the money.
To keep the hose from collecting moisture, hang it up high after it comes out of the machine. I have never had any smells with my machine. I never wash the tank or hose or mask for that matter; only the mask cushion. Since I use an Amara View mask, my hose contacts the cushion. Not sure the bleach in the water tank is a good idea as the composition of the tank probably can't stand up to bleach. I fall asleep so fast after putting on my mask I might not notice any smells/odors anyway.
Thanks. I don't know why I get it. In every machine. I guess it will remain a mystery. I wrote to the company, and wasn't surprised when they didn't reply. And if they did, it would likely be to clean it, as directed. I've had the machine on the nightstand, and on the bottom shelf. No difference. The bleach is a 10% solution. I do hang the hose up during the day. The smell, if there, is immediately noticeable. Peeew! Oh well - thanks, all.
