Rubbing alcohol on mask?

[FrozenmamaBC]

Hi guys.

I have a respironics dreamwear full face.
I clean my mask each day with cpap wipes and hand wash weekly. I also wash my face each night to remove oils.

My issue is, I start out the night fine, but within an hour - I have leaks all over the place.

Out of desperation last night, I took a cotton pad and some rubbing alcohol (70%) to the mask & my face and had a great leak free sleep.

Is it possible the cpap wipes are leaving a residue that is preventing a good seal?

Mainly - is it safe for my mask to use the rubbing alcohol to clean it? At their cost, I don't want to do anything to damage it.

Thanks everyone.

[D.H.]

Best bet is to wash in soapy water and rinse thoroughly.

You should also soak in 50% vinegar solution before the first (or next) use. I find that this reduces the allergic properties of the mask.

[Pugsy]

Is it possible the cpap wipes are leaving a residue that is preventing a good seal?

Very possible...depending on the contents...you didn't mention brand.

Alcohol might dry out the silicone...might not.
A quick wipe down probably wouldn't be a big deal...now soaking in it might not be a good idea. Used to be that alcohol was one of the things they said NOT to use to clean masks but they never really said why and they didn't clarify as to a wipe down vs a soaking thing.

Ignore DH if you don't want to use vinegar...he loves it and I guess thinks the rest of the world should love it too.
I don't use it because I don't like the smell...and I do just fine without it...

[FrozenmamaBC]

I sprayed the alcohol on a cotton pad and gave it a once over.

Just washed everything by hand, so perhaps a fresh start tonight.

The wipes are Sleep Essentials by VitalAire. They are a store brand from where I got my machine. They gave me 5 tubs of 70 wipes, so I thought I'd just use them up.

[Pugsy]

The wipes are Sleep Essentials by VitalAire.

I looked them up the best I could and couldn't find a list of ingredients but I did notice that they say

Gentle on your hands, while cleaning and moisturizing your hands during use

and I would wonder what the moisturizing agent was...

You might do a controlled experiment....simply omit them from your routine and see how the leak situation evolves...and then add in using the alcohol wipes as second experiment and watch the leak.

It might be that all you need to do is omit those wipes if they are the culprit. Then you wouldn't have to worry about alcohol degrading your mask.

[FrozenmamaBC]

Great suggestions Pugsy. Thanks so much. Will cut out the wipes immediately and see how things go.

[palerider]

Mainly - is it safe for my mask to use the rubbing alcohol to clean it? At their cost, I don't want to do anything to damage it.

Yes, it is completely safe to use alcohol on the silicone mask.

Depending on the type of alcol, it either has no effect on silicone, or might discolor it slightly. I don't remember which thype of common household alcohol has which effect though.

Ive been wiping my cushions with purell for years, for the exact same reason as you, it gets them clean and it's cheap.

Also, check on the padacheek.com site, Karen makes the best mask liners to tame leaks.

And yes ignore DH, just think of him as a DME, parroting nonsense that he doesn't understand.

[Franniep51]

When I was issued my machine I was told not to use alcohol on the silicone because it breaks it down. After a fungal sinus infection from h*ll, I broke down and purchased a SoClean. I was meticulous in cleaning my mask but, living in the humid south, it wasn’t enough. No problems since getting SoClean. I use the CPAP wipes daily, SoClean daily, and a good soapy washing weekly. I was wondering if the silicone stretches over time. I have the smallest Dreamwear facial mask and pillow but it feels loose (I guess I have a small head, lol).

My scores say good seal, I sometimes wake up to leaks, adjust the mask minimally, and have been fine. No points lost for the air gaps on MyAir. Aren’t the silicone parts supposed to be replaced after so much time? I’ve had mine for 5 months, I’m thinking I will get a new set of mask, pillow and hose at the 6 month mark. Mine is covered by insurance and supposed to be on automatic refill.

[Grace~~~]

Me too!!!

I use the dreamwear nasal cushion. I wipe my face with alcohol before putting on the mask. For *me* if I don't I just cannot get a good seal. It really works wonders for me. I always had oily skin though lately I'd consider it "normal" but definitely not dry. I'm also in humid Florida (most of the time).

Occasionally I wipe the mask arms but I like washing my mask daily in Dr Bronners Peppermint.

(I'm with Pugsy, I'd be gagged by any trace of vinegar. Scent is so personal.)

I'm always living out of a bag and hauling around all my medical supplies lately and just last week I had to skip the alcohol wipe which PROVED to me yet again that it's a crucial step with my dreamwear as I had a very PIA leaky sleep. At one point around 2 am I knew there was vodka in the house and considered getting up and wiping my face with that! LOL ... but I didn't.

I bought a giant double pack of alcohol for that house at Cosco the very next day.

After living my whole life without carrying a purse and being able to travel ad infinitum with a backpack ~~~my new reality of "necessities" is a real adjustment.

[Sheriff Buford]

I’m with Palerider. I wanted a little more disinfectant than my baby wipes were giving me. He suggest purell. I squirt one squirt of alcohol hand cleaner on my baby wipe after I initially wipe down my mask with the baby wipe. I then wipe the mask down real good and dry the mask with a towel. I have noticed the mask seems “cleaner “ at night. Works for me.

Sheriff

[palerider]

When I was issued my machine I was told

And, right there, we know to stop listening.

not to use alcohol on the silicone because it breaks it down.

Whether this is a lie from the DME or just ignorance, I don't know, but it's wrong.

Alcohol doesn't have any detrimental affects on silicone. Oils do, some soaps with things like tea tree oil can harm silicone. Not alcohol.

After a fungal sinus infection from h*ll, I broke down and purchased a SoClean. I was meticulous in cleaning my mask but, living in the humid south, it wasn’t enough. No problems since getting SoClean. I use the CPAP wipes daily, SoClean daily,

Obligatory soclean commercial.

If you people have money to throw away on junk gadgets, send it to Pugsy, she needs to pay for truck repairs.

[Franniep51]

I wasn’t advertising the So Clean. However things have been better—until now. Spring is here and sinus season is happening. I cannot use CPAP while sinus pressure and smells in my head are happening. I really hate using the CPAP, having a hose attached to my head keeps me from getting a good nights sleep. I’m not a pleasant person when I don’t get my sleep.

I’m thinking about a mouthpiece.

[prodigyplace]

When I was issued my machine I was told

And, right there, we know to stop listening.

I agree. I was told to wash my CPAP hose daily and hang it on the shower rod in the bathroom to dry. Guess what room in your house is the most germ laden?

[babydinosnoreless]

I've been wipping my cushion daily with rubbing alcohol and a cotton pad.

I also use a cotton pad with rubbing alcohol to wipe down the area of my face the mask sits at night. It does seem to get a better seal.