Hose Sanitation Question

I have been a CPAP machine user for about 10 years now and am thinking about changing my weekly hose sanitation regime when I get my new S10. I have been using "free and clear" types of dish soap with no ill effects, no odor or premature degradation of the equipment. Having said this, I realize that there is a difference between cleaning and sanitation. I am contemplating the use of Respisoak or similar. The directions call for diluting 4 ounces of the product with a gallon of water. Seems a waste of product to me. If I mix a quart of water to 1 ounce of product I will have enough solution to soak the hose as well as the water tank if I can plug the hose.

My question is.......are plugs available to apply to both ends of the hose? If not, I figure hard rubber laboratory test tube plugs would work. I would just need to get an idea of what size/s I would need.

Do you find it necessary to "really" clean your hose and water holder? I've only been using this equipment for about 2 months and cannot see any buildup of crud. Of course I'm asking as a newbie. During this time I've been running hot water through the tube with maybe some detergent 1 time/week, then hanging to dry for the day. Similar for the water box. Washing the cushion and frame is daily and strapping is per week.

Why are we advised to wash/sterilize? We are the only ones using the equipment and if I wrap the end of the tube and face equipment after each usage, where is the infection possibility coming from?

I'd like to know too. It is such a hassle to add to my day. Also, how often are we supposed to have the equipment replaced? The strap that goes across my face makes marks on my cheeks that don't go away for an hour or so and at age 64 I'm getting acne in those areas. Has anyone else had similar problems? And at four ounces per soak that could be pretty expensive when buying expensive sanitation fluids.

I've had my Resmed 10 for about 5 months. To clean the tube I have a weight on a 12' string, which I thread thru the tube. A piece of scouring pad is tied to the middle of the string, which I pull back and forth 4-5 times in a solution of hot water and Dawn dish detergent, rinse and hang to dry. I do this about 1/week, and it seems to keep the tube fresh.

I don't think it has to be complicated. I rarely clean my hose. I just pour a little alcohol in it and slosh it around one end to the other with my hand on the opening. Then hang it to dry. I use vinegar and a toothbrush to clean the water tank. The brush is only due to all the tight areas around the tank walls. Use distilled water only.

You can find special CPAP hose brushes at any of the CPAP supply places online. They're very inexpensive. It's best to put a little unscented, biodegradable dish soap in a dishpan of warm water. Take your CPAP hose and hold it under water until the air bubbles cease coming out. Now take your hose brush and insert it as far as it will go and with a circular motion so as to get all the surfaces, slowly withdraw the brush. Repeat for the other end. Drain and refill the dishpan with warm water and rinse out your hose, using the same technique. Then, toss the hose over a shower curtain rod to air dry. Done once weekly, this is sufficient to make your hose clean enough to use. There is no need to try to "sterilize" the hose. Plugging up the ends of the hose is not a good idea. What gets created in doing that, are the perfect conditions for growing bacteria...dampness, warmth and lack of air circulation.

Also, all that is needed for dealing with your humidifier chamber is to toss the remaining distilled water out after your nights' sleep and turn the chamber upside down on a bed of paper towels to dry. You do not need to scrub out the humidifier chamber every day. Save doing that for once per week, if you must. I think you will find that the humidifier chamber can go un-scrubbed for the life of the chamber. It will not get build-up as long as you continue to use distilled water for you therapy. Please do not use vinegar or alcohol on any of your equipment. It leaves an unpleasant smell that can disturb your therapy.