I've been using my SoClean 2 for close to 2 years. My observations and comments;
I read a ton of reviews both pro and con concerning the SoClean. There is a particularly long and informative thread on Amazon concerning the SoClean where I gleaned a lot of good info. I spoke with 2 sleep doctors, 2 clinical technicians and a local rep for my CPAP provider. Surprisingly, all were in agreement about the SoClean being safe and effective when used properly. Because I'm very particular about what I want going into my lungs, if I felt I was suffering any adverse effects from using the unit, I would set it aside and cut my losses. Thankfully, this hasn't been the case. There is so much misinformation about how to properly clean your CPAP that it can make your head spin. To the folks who never clean their hoses. Why? You're breathing your own germs into it with every breath. It makes perfect sense that those germs will accumulate over a short period of time and conceivably end up causing respiratory issues. If you haven't experienced any, good for you. My girlfriend is a smoker and not yet experienced lung cancer. An extreme analogy I know, but you're dealing with your lungs here. Some places recommend you clean your mask and hose every day, but it seems kind of impractical. Most CPAP users I've spoken with usually clean theirs once a week, but I don't even think cleaning your hoses weekly eliminates all the danger. Why? Because unless you let your hose dry completely (which normally could take days) you'll be inhaling leftover tapwater chemicals not yet evaporated. Ideally, it's best to alternate hoses, meaning you should have an extra one to attach while the freshly cleaned one dries. Another way around this is to buy a Hurricane CPAP Hose Dryer. This is a great investment. I use my SoClean every OTHER day and clean my masks and hoses generally once a week (I feel I could safely go for 2 weeks or more even) and place them in the Hurricane on a 2 hour dry cycle. I have an extra set to use that I remove from the Hurricane and attach to my CPAP before I put the freshly cleaned ones in to dry. I run my CPAP for about 5 minutes on SoClean days to minimize the slight odor. As an aside, I've gone from 208 lbs, to 182 lbs in the last year and exercise 2 or 3 times per week. I've also started eating better foods and smaller meal portions. The good night of sleep I get with my CPAP started this domino effect on my lifestyle and can do the same for anyone. Good luck with your therapy everyone!
