How do you get the CPAP hose to dry out after cleaning???

Hi all. I've searched the forum and know this topic has come up but have not found a good answer yet. It seems like the hose should be cleaned once a month - my provided recommended cleaning it in a solution of 50/50 water and white vinegar. Other folks seem to prefer just soap and water. My main question is how do you dry the hose out in time to use it the same day you clean it? I recently got a heated hose and thereupon cleaned my original non-heated hose. It's been hanging on a hanger for three days not and there is still water inside. The Rh in my house is about 30%, about as dry as you can get. I saw someone post about a Hurricane hose dryer? Is there a better/cheaper way? Thanks!

My method of cleaning the hose (as well as the mask and humidifier water reservoir) is to use pure vinegar first to get the maximum sterilizing effect. Pure vinegar also is helpful in removing any mineral deposits in the humidifier reservoir. Next I use Dawn dish soap and water to thoroughly clean out the vinegar and anything else remaining. Last I rinse thoroughly with just tap water and hang to dry over the bath tub. I do this first thing in the morning so it has all day to drip dry. I can't say I have ever noticed any significant water left in the hose by bedtime. Even if there was it would not be harmful and should evaporate fairly quickly especially with a heated hose. Some, and those in particular using a non heated hose and running high humidity can get "rainout" in the hose, which is just condensation. It can be significant and cause a problem. You should not have anywhere near that kind of water in the hose after a day of drip dry.

In short your CPAP machine is the very expensive hose dryer! No need to buy another one.

I would suggest cleaning with dilute dawn before sanitization. That would ensure any film is gone giving the sanitization a better shot at the interior surface of the tubing. I would have no problem with the dawn after sanitizing.

FYI what we do to our CPAP equipment is no where near what it takes to sterilize, but provides adequate sanitization for use.

Fred

Would using a hair dryer on low work? You would have to try it on both ends probably.

All, thanks for your responses! Will give it a shot this weekend.

I have the same problem. I am a retired Respiratory Therapist who worked in Acute Care for much of my career. Wet tubing that doesn't dry in a timely manner can be a serious source of infections. We used equipment driers that dried cleaned equipment quickly. That prevented the moisture problem.

When I started on CPAP I went on a search for an equipment drier and found one. It is called the Hurricane and is made by Seistamed. It cost about $165.00 but works like a charm. It holds tubing, mask, etc. with a timer that operates over 15, 30, or 45 minutes. It completely dries all my stuff in 30 minutes.

Why not just connect your hose to your machine, without the mask attached, and run some air through it for 10 minutes? That should dry it.