How long does a face mask typically last?

[sleepinow]

Hey guys

I have been using my quatro fx for about 6-8ish months or so and it feels like it is leaking more. I have tightened it quite alot but after a while I was leaking air noticably more. Should I buy another mask or continue using this one?

[DreamStalker]

Your signature says Swift FX ... much different than Quatro FX.

Anyway, over tightening can also cause leaks (for any mask).

You can just buy the mask cushion (Quatro) or mask pillows (Swift) rather than the whole mask.

My Swift LT is almost 10 years old and I think I may now need to replace it since the swivel seems worn out and tends to whistle.

[sleepinow]

I updated it, thanks

[Julie]

I find that using baby wipes on the silicone maybe weekly helps them to hold their shape, less floppy.

[Pugsy]

Mask cushion life depends a lot on the person..their facial oils, their cleaning schedule and what they clean with and even facial structure.
Some people can get years out of everything...cushions, nasal pillows, nasal cushions or whatever. Some people can't despite careful care and find they need to replace monthly. 6 months out of a full face mask cushion is pretty darn good. Yes, some people get more and some people get less. This is another one of those things that come with a big YMMV sticker.

Since you are having more leaks that are harder to manage...use a new cushion and see if it helps or not. You need to have a spare of everything anyway.

Frames don't need replacing very often unless something breaks. Headgear is another story....sometimes they just get tired and stretched out too much and no amount of hot water washing or adjusting the straps makes up for the too much elasticity.

If I remember right you aren't using insurance...so shop smart. There are ways to have at least one spare of what you are using that don't require robbing a bank. If you do have insurance...use whatever mask allowance you have available to at least get a spare of everything you might use.

[knothead]

I use baby wipes(non scented) every night. Wash it with soapy water once every couple weeks. About once every 6 months I boil my cushion to bring back to life. Its been in use now about 1.5 years, getting to where I will have to replace a part but other than that it still rocks.

[LSAT]

My Quattro mask is over 2 years old. Changed the cushion once after a year...probably will change again soon. I am still using the original mask and headgear. There is nothing to wear out on the mask frame.

[raisedfist]

It varies but in my experience masks last a lot longer than people trying to sell you product state. I change my FF mask cushion once every six months and get the replacements on Amazon or eBay. I only wash the cushion about once a week or daily when I have a cold.

[lliann]

according to online insurance replacement schedules.


Item (number) HCPCS Code Replacement Frequency
CPAP Mask A7034 Every 3 months
CPAP Headgear A7035 Every 3-6 months
CPAP Tubing A7037 Every 3 months
Disposable Filter A7038 2 new filters every month
Non-disposable Filters A7039 2 new filters every 6 months
CPAP Chin strap A7036 Every 6 months
Full Face Mask A7030 Every 3 months
Oral CPAP Mask A7044 Every 3 months
Humidifier Chamber A7046 Every 6 months
CPAP Machine E0601 Generally, every 3-5 years, or as necessary



cushions are replaceable every month.(1 a month)

[sleepinow]

Thanks everyone, I'm gonna place an order on a new cushion. And Pugsy you have great memory lol

[Pugsy]

Once you have a spare..spare...2 spare cushions in other words.
You might try the boiling and baking soda trick. Don't do this unless you have a spare spare though.
viewtopic/t75749/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=74 ... il#p685240
Only do it if it wouldn't be the end of the world to toss the cushion in the trash.

Couple of hints from personal experience.
Use distilled water for both boiling and rinse.
Tap water rinse let mine extremely cloudy and I first thought this idea was all wet but then I did a distilled water rinse and the difference was amazing.
Where I live our water is so hard it could pump iron.

[D.H.]

How long a mask lasts is quite variable. It depends on many individual factors (ex. how much you sweat, the composition of your sweat, the shape of your face, the temperature of the room, your sleep position, etc.).

Note that the headgear and - for most masks - the cushions, can be replaced independent of the mask.

That being said, I would say to replace the mask every six months to one year (cushions and headgear more frequently).

I replace the headgear when I start having issues adjusting it and the face cushion when my leak numbers start going up.

[chunkyfrog]

I have accumulated four or more P10 masks.
I clean them several at a time, and am unable to tell which are the oldest.
I am long overdue for a new assembly, and may ask for it in a couple of months.

[WearyOne]

My mask has an oral cushion and nose pillows separate from each other. I wash them about every three days, using unscented baby wipes in between. I can go six months on the nose pillows before replacing, maybe more, but usually need to replace the oral cushion about every three months. (Making sure your face is always super clean before using the mask helps a lot with keeping a good seal.)

[sleepinow]

My mask has an oral cushion and nose pillows separate from each other. I wash them about every three days, using unscented baby wipes in between. I can go six months on the nose pillows before replacing, maybe more, but usually need to replace the oral cushion about every three months. (Making sure your face is always super clean before using the mask helps a lot with keeping a good seal.)

Yes I make that a priority! My face is super oily