Best cleaning solution for the silicone cushion on the mask?

[Chuck Connors]

I'm curious what the experienced CPAP users have used as a cleaning solution for the silicon cushion on the mask. Also, how long does the silicon cushion last for you? Thanks for any input. -Chuck-

[sol]

I'm curious what the experienced CPAP users have used as a cleaning solution for the silicon cushion on the mask. Also, how long does the silicon cushion last for you? Thanks for any input. -Chuck-

I don,t have much exp but I wash my mask in the shower each morning and normally the cushion can last up to 6 month.
If you,re insured might be able to get two cushions replacement per month.

[big_dave]

I switched mask cushions about two months ago. I clean my mask with dishwashing liquid once a week, and I use a mask wipe twice a week. Some people recommend using the mask wipe daily, but I find that unnecessary.

I boiled my mask cushion with baking soda about a month ago, which is helpful both for removing oils and for reducing mask leaks. I think I need to boil it again soon since leaks are becoming troublesome. Search the board for instructions. Others have reported that it can be boiled three or four times before replacement becomes necessary.

[Wonderbeastlett]

I've been washing my mask every morning with a scentless mild baby wash. I was told not to use any dish soaps or cleaners because they break down silicone. Im not exactly sure about the mask cushion since i've only had mine for 3 weeks. I'd also like to know the general lifespan of a mask cushion and how to revive it since I have no insurance!

[avi123]

I been using mask wipes and baby wipes for more than a year. But not more. The baby wipes have soften my Mirage Softgell nasal masks cushions after 3 weeks. So I had to replace with a new cushion. I am looking for a solution. Probably warm water and a few drops of baby shampoo.

[chunkyfrog]

My brother cleans his profile lite gel nasal mask with Everclear once a month.
The masks last a year for him.

[MaxDarkside]

I now wash my Quattro FX silicon seal with Pantene Fine Hair Shampoo, the clear stuff, each AM. That works really well. For a while I washed it in dishwashing soap (Dawn, which the DME said was a no-no) but it would get cloudy. The cloudiness could only be removed by boiling it in water with baking soda, but then would start getting cloudy again soon. Then I tried Dial hand soap. Same. Cloudy. Then I tried the Pantene shampoo... the seal gets clean and it was obvious to me that the cloudiness was much less. I still, from time to time, boil it in water with baking soda, but not as often as I did with the other soaps.

[archangle]

I disassemble my ComfortGel Blue once a week and wash the parts, including the cushion and flap in the dishwasher. I have two masks and let it sit disassembled and dry until the next wash cycle. I'm getting a year or more on the mask parts, which sort of amounts to 6 months lifetime since it only gets used half the time.

[Data]

I just wash my cushion in tap water once a week, and I find thats ok.

[Tino2You]

in my vast experience (65 days), I've been using a few drops of baby shampoo once a week and the scentless cpap wipes every day. The ritual now is to wipe the mask and then my dogs ears win-win

Be careful with baby wipes, most have aloe a no no IMHO.
-tino

[DiverCTHunter]

I got 4 months out of my 1st Mirage Quattro cushion by dunking it in Hydracide / Control III (same chemical, but one's tinted blue) for 6-8 hours. I'm on a Liberty now and it gets a dunk every other day and a wipedown with the Citrus wipes the rest of the time.

[portiemom]

I use Pear Soap on my nasal pillows, and not often as I have normal to dry skin.

[-tim]

The vendors recommend just soap and water and not soaking them for more than about 10 minutes.

I've been washing scuba masks with Palmolive and water for decades with no problems but they are a thicker material.

I alternate between two masks. They get washed in the kitchen sink every day and then air dry. The humidifier tank gets cleaned at the same time unless I'm using distilled or demineralized water in which case it happens about once a week. I used to use tap water and wash it daily until one of the clips broke.

About once a week the mask gets washed with soap and water and the put in the vinegar and shaken and then soaked (while I wash the other mask). It then gets rinsed and washed and then soaked in soapy water for many hours. I have a few plastic containers and one is full of white vinegar. I use F&P zest headgear with my resmed mask and that gets thrown in laundry with the sheets. I have a light dust mite cover that looks like a fitted sheet and dust mite pillow covers that dry very quickly in the dryer and they go in with just them for a few minutes after being washed so they don't get too hot.

I tend to run water through the hose most days. I've soaked it in soapy water once but its a pain getting water in all of the hose

[Sheriff Buford]

I wipe my mask down every morning using Pampers Thick Wipes for Sensitive Skin. You can also use the generic brand. Be sure the baby wipes have no alcohol or aloe. Alcohol will damage the mask plastic and aloe will leave a film. I also wash my mask every weekend with a toothbrush and baby shampoo. I then soak the mask in a plastic tub or a few hours in baby shampoo and water solution. I then rinse the mask very well. If I don’t the baby scent will upset my tummy. Look up your mask on line from the manufacturer. They will provide recommendations. Be careful with using vinegar. My mask-maker says don’t use it because it will deteriorate the mask silicone. That being said, I don’t think a little vinegar will hurt. My cushions are not removable. I get a new mask every three months, but I can go probably four months on a mask.

Sheriff

[archangle]

Remember that if you're "too rough" on your mask, you can buy a new mask or cushions. Figure out something that gets it clean enough, and evaluate whether it wears out your mask to quickly. Realize masks do need to be replaced occasionally.