How to clean System One humidifier tank?

[sewsleepy]

I use distilled water in my tank and usually just shake it out in the morning and let it air dry but I'm getting some slippery spots in the corners which means to me that it needs to be scrubbed out. The issue is, I cannot find a way to scrub out those nooks and crannies. My pinkie finger can't even fit. Toothbrush bristles are not long enough and besides, it would need to have bristles on the end instead of the side. It appears to me the System One designers did not seriously expect anyone to ever have to wash this thing. It would have been a lot easier if all those fins were on the outside instead of the inside.

I tried soaking it in water with a little vinegar but even after thoroughly rinsing it I can smell the vinegar and I don't like that. Soapy water did not remove the slippery spots.

Anyone have an idea that works?

[Janknitz]

Please don't take offense but I want to be sure you know that the lid comes off???

I only ask because we've had the occasional person here who does not realize that. To get the lid off, stick your finger in the center hole and press against the plastic to release the lid.

With the lid off, it's pretty easy to get in the nooks and crannies. You might consider purchasing a baby bottle brush-they are pretty soft and can get just about anywhere. Ow wad up a lint free cloth to get it in the corners.

[sol]

Anyone have an idea that works?

http://respironicsremstars.respironics.com/video10.aspx

[khauser]

I use Q-tips to get in the tight areas. It is a pain ... but if I don't do it at least once a month, something pink begins to form, and although pink is a good color for lungs, I prefer mine come by it more on their own...

[Sir NoddinOff]

I use Q-tips to get in the tight areas. It is a pain ... but if I don't do it at least once a month, something pink begins to form, and although pink is a good color for lungs, I prefer mine come by it more on their own...

I think PR doesn't hold a candle to ResMed for tank design. With the new ResMed tanks that come apart using plastic clasps, cleaning is now a snap... no toothbrushes, no disinfectants, no Q-tips ... quite easy really.

[pblakneyjr]

I remove the lid and run it through a dishwashing cycle, top shelf. No problems noted.

[Wulfman...]

I remove the lid and run it through a dishwashing cycle, top shelf. No problems noted.

Eeeeewwwwww...

Not ME!!!

Do a Google search on "deadly bacteria in dishwashers".


Den

.

[sewsleepy]

Thanks for the ideas.

Ha ha, yes I know the lid comes off. There is no way to get into those little sections between the fin and the corner, the bottlebrush does not get in there. I will try the QTip! What a hassle!

[archangle]

Put it in the dishwasher to get anything you can't clean manually. It will be much cleaner than anything you'll manage on your own.

The "deadly bacteria in the dishwasher" is nonsense. Deadly bacteria in the dishwasher is going to kill you a lot quicker on your plates and silverware than it will in your humidifier tank.

Buy a replacement water tank. It's good to have one anyway. Clean the old one manually and in the dishwasher, then sit it aside and let it dry out for a week or two. Then wash and swap tanks once a week or so. This lets the clean one dry out really thoroughly to keep bacteria growth down.

In theory, bacteria in the water tank can't get into the hose since it's only water vapor, not droplets that get through, but I still want a clean tank.

I have soaked a PRS1 water tank in a pot of boiling water with no harm. I boil the water and turn off the heat immediately before putting the tank into the water to soak until the water cools down. You might want to buy a spare tank first in case you damage yours.

[Janknitz]

I'm more concerned about breathing in aerosolized soap residue on the tank if I wash it in the dishwasher than I am about bacteria lurking in the dishwasher.

[acidragon]

I didn't see anyone comment on the rubber seal, so I will... We've been having a few weeks of high humidity and heat the past few weeks here and I noticed mold on the rubber seal! Even when I empty out my tank there's always some water trapped in the bend of the seal when you pour out the extra water in the morning. So I've been using a napkin to dry out the seal in the morning. Also when I do my monthly vinegar soak I remove the entire rubber seal ( you have to be very careful not to break the thin plastic square when you unbuckle it from the tank, the rubber and the square ring are one piece ) and clean the dark rubber part that seals to the tank with a soft toothbrush. I've always noticed that part of the seal is always wet even when the tank is dry but I dont think its practical to remove the seal everyday... When reinstalling theres one corner that's different from the other three. Might be a good idea to have a spare tank too just in case.

[archangle]

I didn't see anyone comment on the rubber seal, so I will... We've been having a few weeks of high humidity and heat the past few weeks here and I noticed mold on the rubber seal!

Makes me feel better about the idea of having two tanks and alternating.

I'd definitely do the boiling water treatment on any tank with mold on it, once I had a spare.

[John from Brookston]

Bottle brush, hypo-allergenic dish soap, thorough rinse and air dry once a week. No pink slime, no mold.

[georgeniebling]

OMG, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!

I've been trying to figure this out for 4 months.

Finally I can clean the thing!!!!!

g

Please don't take offense but I want to be sure you know that the lid comes off???

I only ask because we've had the occasional person here who does not realize that. To get the lid off, stick your finger in the center hole and press against the plastic to release the lid.

With the lid off, it's pretty easy to get in the nooks and crannies. You might consider purchasing a baby bottle brush-they are pretty soft and can get just about anywhere. Ow wad up a lint free cloth to get it in the corners.

[jmw]

I use a small paint brush (artist) and it gets into all of those little corners.