SoClean 2 or SoBad? 3b Lumin

Hi, all I am a new CPAP user and have been reading reviews on the SoClean2 machine as I was interested in purchasing this device but I am overwhelmed by all the negative reviews outweighing the positive ones, surely if this machine was so bad the government health departments would intervene? I live in Australia and I know we have very strict guidelines on what can and can't be sold here but this unit is readily available to purchase. Just wish someone of authority could confirm if it does really work as claimed and is it safe or harmful to use? I have also been reading about the 3b Lumin machine it does sound safer but only cleans the mask so I understand, has anyone used this machine? Cheers Mat.

I personally only clean my mask cushion daily. I rinse out my water chamber occasionally and have never cleaned any of the rest of this stuff. In other words, I think these cleaning machines are basically a waste of money. I have never gotten sick as a result of my cleaning (or lack of) and believe the SoClean TV commercials use scare tactics to talk people into buying one. Others will disagree so this is just a personal perspective; I have been on a BiPap machine for about 5 years now I guess.

I've seen the advertisements for these devices and tend to agree with wiredgeorge on this...it does look like a waste of money. I'm sure that they are safe to use, but the bigger question is...why? Husband and I have been dualies on CPAP for the past 6 years and have never been sickened by the hygiene routine that wiredgeorge describes. My husband is also an asthmatic. No problem...his condition continues to be static.

My brother-in-law has been on CPAP much longer than we have and he doesn't clean anything ever, (I know...that is just gross). He does change out his hose and mask every 6 months and changes out the filters regularly, though. He seems to be a happy camper and doesn't experience any more than the occasional cold. While I don't recommend his strategy, I do think that the sellers of these super, duper CPAP cleaning devices are going after the OCD-meticulous crowd and have found an effective marketing niche. They prey on the CPAP newbies. That upsets me a bit.

I tend to agree. I have a degree in this area so I do speak from a place of some expertise. Your CPAP equipment (mask, machine, tubing etc) does not need to be sterilised, just clean. Your face is not sterile, your bed is not sterile, the air is not sterile. If you sterilise your machine it does not decrease your chances of inhaling a pathogen from the air.

The only problems I have ever heard of result from people not cleaning their gear. If you keep water in your humidifier chamber and just top it up every day then eventually mould will grow in it and that can cause infection. However, if you empty your humidifier chamber every morning and let it dry there will be no problem. Likewise, if the tube dries out every day you should be fine (which is always assuming you get condensation in it to start with). The only way you will get an infection from your mask is if you never wash it and the gunk which builds up in it harbours a pathogen. If your mask is clean then, again, you will be fine. There is nothing inside your CPAP machine for a pathogen to grow on (nothing for it to eat or drink) so you do not need to sterilise the inside of your machine.

I know that some people will choose not to agree with me, and I'm quite OK with that, but that is my opinion based on a combination of my relevant university studies and almost 20 years experience as a sleep tech.

Having said all of that, do actually keep your gear clean. I have seen some pretty disgusting stuff. I have had more than one patient with pieces of food stuck in their mask. I have also had patients with colonies of live insects (usually cockroaches) living in their machines. Keep 'em clean people. If not for your own sake then for poor old me who has to clean this stuff.

First of all being in the medical field don't depend on the government. Opioids have caused many disasters and there was n intention on curbing the scripts from all types of docs. I do agree that over cleaning can be problem, but on these PAPS I have seen the filthiest even from those who are highly educated!!...like even those with 2 PhDs!! What I have read just plain soap and water does the trick or a soak in white vinegar and water...the old go to for everything. Now with those new fangled ozone machines I have a debate on them. First I am concerned with that permitting my PAP machine. and second what does that do to my lungs? I have one and the other issue is how my nasal passages get so clogged using that machine.
I now am going back to my old reliable wash.

I looked at it, and concluded that the gizmo is a solution in search of a problem.

I love my So-Clean. My biggest concern starting therapy was having time to clean it regularly. My husband had a CPAP and only used it about 6 months due to the cleaning and not getting it dry by bed time.

I'm also an RN and have been for almost 40 years. Even emptying the water daily and cleaning the container and hose, my unit quickly had a stale odor. I also know I have MRSA in my nasal airway...most healthcare workers do. Whether it's necessary or not, it sure does save time and the unit is always fresh. My husband started back on his APAP, too, and got a second So-Clean for him. Seems our equipment is lasting longer as well.

When we travel we leave the water tanks at home, and despite washing the masks every day, it just isn't the same as the So-Clean for us. The hoses machines smell "musty and stale" and I generally carry some essential oil with me to help cover up the staleness without the So-Clean.

If your current system works for you with good results, that great. If you're new to CPAP therapy and are wondering where you'll find time to do all this extra cleaning and maintenance...you might find it helps you use the CPAP more regularly.