Getting droplets out of tubing after cleaning

[InnerGlow]

I've only had my CPAP for a couple of weeks, but when I run water through the tubing once a week (as per the instructions I was given) and hang it up to dry, there are still lots of water droplets in the tube at bedtime. I've read that you should put the CPAP blower on to remove the remaining droplets, but with my min pressure set at 5 cm, it doesn't seem to be enough to get them out or dry them quickly.

My problem is that even without using the humidifier, these droplets are making it too humid for me. Is there any other way I can dry the tubing? It's the heated coil tubing if that makes a difference.

[ChicagoGranny]

run water through the tubing once a week (as per the instructions I was given) and hang it up to dry

What is in your tubing that you are trying to clean out?

You will find many of us never clean the hose. I've been using the same one for two or three years without cleaning. Personally, I think cleaning it is more likely to introduce contaminants than get any out. It's just filtered air and water vapor that goes through the hose - nothing that requires cleaning.

[LSAT]

Why dry it out...several hours later it will be wet again. There is nothing but moist, filtered air in the tube. Waste of time.

[Guest]

I've only had my CPAP for a couple of weeks, but when I run water through the tubing once a week (as per the instructions I was given) and hang it up to dry, there are still lots of water droplets in the tube at bedtime. I've read that you should put the CPAP blower on to remove the remaining droplets, but with my min pressure set at 5 cm, it doesn't seem to be enough to get them out or dry them quickly.

My problem is that even without using the humidifier, these droplets are making it too humid for me. Is there any other way I can dry the tubing? It's the heated coil tubing if that makes a difference.

Why do you feel the need to dry the tubing? (or even wash it?) You're going to be putting moisture back into it each night anyway.
The vast majority of the forum members don't clean or dry their hoses on a regular basis.
But, if you insist on cleaning it, do it in the evening before bedtime and the residual moisture will be added to the humidity you're getting from your humidifier tank.
When you hang it up to dry, it's going to be subject to collecting impurities from the air, so, you're back where you started with a "dirty" hose.

[Cardsfan]

I don't see the need to clean the long hose. The only thing in it is air. I haven't cleaned mine in over a yr. and it looks brand new.

Get another hose and switch off when one is still wet inside.

[palerider]

I've only had my CPAP for a couple of weeks, but when I run water through the tubing once a week (as per the instructions I was given) and hang it up to dry, there are still lots of water droplets in the tube at bedtime. I've read that you should put the CPAP blower on to remove the remaining droplets, but with my min pressure set at 5 cm, it doesn't seem to be enough to get them out or dry them quickly.

My problem is that even without using the humidifier, these droplets are making it too humid for me. Is there any other way I can dry the tubing? It's the heated coil tubing if that makes a difference.

If you *must* wash it (most long timers don't bother anymore) then use the 'mask fit' setting on your cpap to blow water out.

[ISnoreIi]

I also gave my hose a weekly cleaning today as well as washing my mask and water tank.
As a newbie, I searched for cleaning instructions. It states that bacteria can build up in hose and tank and they should be cleaned with soap and water on a weekly basis. They recommend the face mask be cleaned daily. It also advises that this cleaning method will help it last longer before needing to be replaced.

I am also wondering how often on average will I will need to replace equipment.

[Goofproof]

I also gave my hose a weekly cleaning today as well as washing my mask and water tank.
As a newbie, I searched for cleaning instructions. It states that bacteria can build up in hose and tank and they should be cleaned with soap and water on a weekly basis. They recommend the face mask be cleaned daily. It also advises that this cleaning method will help it last longer before needing to be replaced.

I am also wondering how often on average will I will need to replace equipment.

Everything in the world and your house has bacteria on it, and in it, your body has bacteria inside it too, good luck cleaning the world. The goal is to be healthy enough to survive in our hostel world. The immune system, does this job, but is we have nothing for it to kill it doesn't get strong enough to do it's job. Jim

[ISnoreIi]

I also gave my hose a weekly cleaning today as well as washing my mask and water tank.
As a newbie, I searched for cleaning instructions. It states that bacteria can build up in hose and tank and they should be cleaned with soap and water on a weekly basis. They recommend the face mask be cleaned daily. It also advises that this cleaning method will help it last longer before needing to be replaced.

I am also wondering how often on average will I will need to replace equipment.

Everything in the world and your house has bacteria on it, and in it, your body has bacteria inside it too, good luck cleaning the world. The goal is to be healthy enough to survive in our hostel world. The immune system, does this job, but is we have nothing for it to kill it doesn't get strong enough to do it's job. Jim

I agree with you to a certain point Goof. We all need dirt in our lives to make us stronger. But I'm not sure about breathing in this bacteria for 8-10 hours a night. That seems to be pushing it a bit far for me.

[chunkyfrog]

I discovered very early on that daily mask washing cuts the usable cushion life IN HALF.
Considering these directions come from the MAKERS of the mask, I smelt a rodent.
I clean my supplies WHEN THEY NEED IT--or when I observe it is needed.
It is OK to be fussier than that, go ahead and wash until it makes you happy.

[Guest]

I also gave my hose a weekly cleaning today as well as washing my mask and water tank.
As a newbie, I searched for cleaning instructions. It states that bacteria can build up in hose and tank and they should be cleaned with soap and water on a weekly basis. They recommend the face mask be cleaned daily. It also advises that this cleaning method will help it last longer before needing to be replaced.

I am also wondering how often on average will I will need to replace equipment.

Everything in the world and your house has bacteria on it, and in it, your body has bacteria inside it too, good luck cleaning the world. The goal is to be healthy enough to survive in our hostel world. The immune system, does this job, but is we have nothing for it to kill it doesn't get strong enough to do it's job. Jim

I agree with you to a certain point Goof. We all need dirt in our lives to make us stronger. But I'm not sure about breathing in this bacteria for 8-10 hours a night. That seems to be pushing it a bit far for me.

Except you've got it backwards. You're breathing filtered air with distilled water humidity when you're using your CPAP while you're sleeping but breathing unfiltered air (with bacteria) the rest of the day.

[palerider]

But I'm not sure about breathing in this bacteria for 8-10 hours a night. That seems to be pushing it a bit far for me.

The only bacteria that you could *possibly* be breathing for 8-10 hours is the bacteria that's sucked into the machine along with all the other air, no amount of cleaning can affect that.

Think about it, at a fairly common pressure of 10cm/h2o, the average mask vents at around 37 Liters of air per MINUTE.

That's 2220 liters per hour, or 17760 liters per 8 hours, or 627.1 cubic feet.

Presuming a common 10x12 foot room, that's 120sq feet x 8, 960 cubic feet, minus furnishings, 627/960, the cpap (assuming no leaks) is moving more than 2/3rds the air of a normal bedroom through that hose every night.

Gonna have to be some tenacious bacteria to stick around for any length of time, much less 8 hours.

I believe your fear may be pushing it a bit.

[ISnoreIi]

Thank you all for straightening me out about cleaning. You have saved me a bundle of time plus all those gallons of well water I would have wasted.

[InnerGlow]

Thanks for all the information.

The instructions for cleaning the tubing weekly I got from the DME (I know, notorious source of misinformation). The manufacturer actually says to clean the tubing daily, but I suspect that weekly or even every other week is more than enough. I'm a bit leery of not cleaning it at all because I am immune-suppressed.

As I mentioned in the original post, I am not using the humidifier at this point (that's what I'm comfortable with) and the humidity from the droplets is making me uncomfortable, so that's why I'm trying to dry it. I'll check for a mask fit setting on the CPAP to see if that will do a better job. Switching off between two hoses sounds like a good idea, although I don't think the DME will send me a new one for a couple of months.

[Cardsfan]

If you are not using the humidifier, then you should be able to get by with a much cheaper non heated hose. (just in case you wanted to just order one online now. http://www.cpap.com has them.
Another trick, you can use baby wipes to wipe down your mask daily, without taking it apart. Just takes a few seconds.