cleaning the humidifier tank

[rob.holmes]

Hello,

I was wondering what you all use to clean your humidifier tanks with? I use the baby wash to clean my nasal pillows but I'm not sure if that is the best cleaning agent for a humidifier tank.

Also is using distilled water that much more beneficial than using tap water?


Thanks!



Rob

[Wulfman...]

Hello,

I was wondering what you all use to clean your humidifier tanks with? I use the baby wash to clean my nasal pillows but I'm not sure if that is the best cleaning agent for a humidifier tank.

Also is using distilled water that much more beneficial than using tap water?


Thanks!



Rob

If you go up to the Search function (top of the page) and do searches on "clean" or "cleaning", you'll get lots and lots of reading.
I've never had my tanks apart to clean them in 2 1/2 years.....have always used pass-over (non-heated) humidification and have always used distilled water. When I DO get around to "clean" them, I just dump out the remaining water, rinse out with some hot tap water from the faucet.....slosh around and dump.....then refill with distilled. And, they still look practically "new".
If you read the user's manual, distilled water is the ONLY thing the manufacturers recommend using.

I strongly recommend NEVER taking a tank apart.

Den

[papdaddy]

You should really ONLY used Distilled water. I have used tap water a couple of times in a pinch and it left a mineral deposite film on the bottom heating plate. I had to soak it in vineager/water solution(3 parts water, 1part vineager) over night and scub. It may be just my tap water but I have read about others with the same problem.

As for regular cleaning I just add regular dish soap water and swish aroud and rinse. I also do not take tank apart as it makes the seal weaken over time.


Rich

[rested gal]

When I first started cpap, I used tap water in the humidifier. Big mistake. In a very short time, even with dumping the unused water out each day and adding fresh tap water, scale built up on the inside walls and floor of the water chamber. I'd soak it regularly with a solution of vinegar water, which removed most of the scale, but as the weeks went on the plastic walls were becoming cloudy looking.

Next humidifier water chamber I got, I started using distilled water only. And, I didn't bother to dump out the unused distilled water...I just added more as needed. Didn't bother to clean the water chamber any more. Using nothing but distilled water, the chamber stayed crystal clear.

I do the same as Den... "When I DO get around to "clean" them, I just dump out the remaining water, rinse out with some hot tap water from the faucet.....slosh around and dump.....then refill with distilled."

As Den said, never take the water chamber apart.

I don't take masks apart either. I figure nothing's going to go back together quite as snugly as it came from the mfgr. Saves wear and tear on all this stuff if you don't take it apart.

Hint for easy removal of the rubber cuff of the main air hose where it attaches to some humidifiers:



Slightly off topic, but that picture reminded me...more neat tips and tricks are in a cool thread Moogy started last year:

Oct 30, 2006 subject: Please Share Misc Helpful Hints
viewtopic.php?t=14746

[SleepyNoMore]

Thank You RestedGal , I was at Home Depot and saw one similiar to the on you have poster here but didn't have the exact measurements with me at that time, I will put them in my purse for the next visit...

[SleepyNoMore]

Hi there, I was my humidifier tank, mask & hose COMPLETELY everyday... I use "DOVE DISHWASHING LIQUID". I disassemble the tank ( on the advice of my DME), I told him I was just putting soapy water in it and swishing it around and he said "OH NO", take it apart to clean it or it will start growing bacteria so everyday since, I take it apart, soak it for a few minutes in the warm soapy Ivory water, shake it off good and lay it out to dry for a few hours, same with the mask parts & hose, smells wonderful... It's a little time consuming and it might eventually make the seal leak but it's better than having bacteria & fungas possibly growing in the lungs, my Mom has Aspergillas Lung Disease ( VERY RARE FORM OF FUNGAS) so I am very picky about that, better to be safe than sorry...

[Wulfman...]

If you do a forum Search on "bacteria", there have been (again) many, many discussions on the tank cleaning (and additives) subjects.
Sometime, back when......somebody posted a graphic showing the relative sizes of bacteria and other things.....which I haven't been able to find (but I remember it). In any case, our chemistry majors (here) have shown that water vapor (from your humidifier) cannot carry bacteria to you......because they're much larger than the vapor.

However, if you have more "peace of mind" by cleaning it......that's your prerogative.

Den

[GumbyCT]

Next humidifier water chamber I got, I started using distilled water only. And, I didn't bother to dump out the unused distilled water...I just added more as needed. Didn't bother to clean the water chamber any more. Using nothing but distilled water, the chamber stayed crystal clear.

I do the same as Den... "When I DO get around to "clean" them, I just dump out the remaining water, rinse out with some hot tap water from the faucet.....slosh around and dump.....then refill with distilled."

New user here: Ironically this is how I Have been using mine all along. pheeew, finally doing something right!

I am not a germaphobe but mindful that I am breathing this stuff in. Plus I have seen what tap water has done to other things like the inside of dishwashers & ceramic tile, etc.

Tho, because I am the curious type and have to know how things work, I must admit I have taken my reservoir apart with no ill effects, so far. I don't do this on any regular schedule.

I add just enuff distilled water to get me thru the night, which was about as high as the highest black plastic comes when the reservoir is slid in place (~3/4"). I am still evaluating this level on my "new" machine. I do rinse the reservoir w/tap water on occasion, no special recipe, just tap water.

I have taken apart my mask on occasion. The Flexifit goes back together pretty easy.

I take my hose into the shower to clean, when I remember. NO mess that way. Drip dry is good for me.

HTH,
GumbyCT

[j.a.taylor]

I do the same as Den... "When I DO get around to "clean" them, I just dump out the remaining water, rinse out with some hot tap water from the faucet.....slosh around and dump.....then refill with distilled."

I'm with Wulfman . . . and Rested Gal on this one,

When I began frequenting this forum, and read the various posts on cleaning the humidifier, I decided that there were more important things for me to fret about regarding CPAP and Apnea besides the water tank.

So far, no problems. I just keep the tank filled, and occasionally give it a rinse (the slosh around and dump method), then refill with distilled.

Although I have to say, if I were in the same situation as SleepyNoMore, with a close relative who had problems due to a fungas, I'd probably go obsessive on the cleaning. Sometimes when things like that hit close to home, it forever changes your perspective.

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