Ultra-sonic cleaners

[Uncle_Bob]

My mask cleaning is becoming more annoying and a result I'm not cleaning it as often as I would like.
So i am now considering getting an ultra-sonic cleaner like the one in the link below

http://www.tovatech.com/ultrasonic_cleaner_lp.html

They are recommended for cleaning medical equipment and it looks like they do the best job of cleaning.
Has anyone used an ultra-sonic cleaner? I'd appreciate any feedback or model recommendations

[jdm2857]

Ultrasonic cleaners vibrate the water in the tank to loosen dirt. They are great at getting dirt out of cracks and crevices, and are often used for jewelry (except for fragile stones like opals, which can fracture). I have a small one that was marketed as a denture cleaner and am amazed at how much dirt it dislodges for between the links of my steel mesh watch bracelet.

But ultrasonic cleaners do not kill germs or sterilize things better than whatever solution is used, except for things that may be in small crevices, which medical equipment typicall doesn;t have. So unless you have some sort of hand mobility problem, I don't know how much one would help.

[Hawthorne]

It takes me a couple of minutes a day to wash and rinse the parts of my mask that touch my face (that's all I wash every day) and about 5 or so minutes, every week, to wash all parts of my mask.

I think it would take me that long to set on of those babies up!

[Uncle_Bob]

It takes me a couple of minutes a day to wash and rinse the parts of my mask

You're right, I'm basically just very lazy

[wlenz]

I started using lanolin on my mask a while back, something I learned from this forum. Cleaning the lanolin on the fragile outer flap seemed risky, so I purchased a 60 watt ultrasonic cleaner. It has a stainless steel tank, so I can add soap, vinegar, etc. to ensure sterilization as well as cleaning. It is the most gentle method for cleaning that I have found. Also great for eye glasses, toothbrushes, jewelry, razors, etc.

[RipVW]

Yep, I use this one:
http://www.sonicsonline.com/b200.html

[wlenz]

I bought mine from Amazon.com. The price was reasonable and there was a good selection to choose from.
Bill

[TheDreamer]

I got one....and I'm amazed at the 'smoking' that my nasal pillows do when I 'rinse' them in the ultrasonic cleaner.

I did/do the baby shampoo thing and stream lots of cold water on it, but the first night after cleaning was always a problem....slight smell of baby shampoo would remain and it wouldn't seal as well. Now I fill my ultrasonic cleaner with clean water and drop the nasal pillow in...and now its good.

Plus I work the baby shampoo well on the outside of the nasal pillows though not as well on the insides....I feel the ultrasonic cleaner gets to those surfaces for me....

The only problem I've had....is that I wish I hadn't bought such a big ultrasonic cleaner. Its a pain to fill and a pain to empty, and is more than I need to do nasal pillows. Though I had envisioned that I'd be using a nasal mask, so was worried that I wasn't getting a big enough one to drop a whole nasal mask into.

The 'smoking' is a scary sight when I put my glasses into the ultrasonic cleaner, though it was amazing how clear things appeared again that first time.

I have run mask tube parts in the ultrasonic cleaner on occasion, though it isn't as visual on whether it is doing anything...

The Dreamer.

[OldLincoln]

I did/do the baby shampoo thing and stream lots of cold water on it, but the first night after cleaning was always a problem....slight smell of baby shampoo would remain and it wouldn't seal as well. Now I fill my ultrasonic cleaner with clean water and drop the nasal pillow in...and now its good.

Shampoo's leave a film that's tough to get off. That's why I switched to liquid dish detergent (Joy or whatever's on sale). I dilute it about 4/1 with water in a foamy dispenser and scrub with that. It rinses clean without film and works well.

Another trick I discovered by accident is immediately before bed, after I wash cushion and face with detergent, I wipe both cushion and face with a citrus mask wipe (NO RINSE) leaving it wet and put my mask on. The seal is sticky like orange juice left on the counter. My seal lasts all night about 75% of the time now. I was looking around for something less messy than honey and considered syrup, but was concerned about getting it on the sheet. This is a great compromise.

[Uncle_Bob]

I have been cleaning my pillows with baby shampoo and water every 2-4 days.
I am on my second set of nasal pillows since starting CPAP, the first set lasted around 2 months and started to leak so i replaced them and now the replacements are starting to leak after about 2 months also.
I am thinking of going with a ultra-sonic cleaner now based on what people have said. The only thing i need to decide is what solution to use in the tank?
Some cleaners come with a solution, can you use that? I could use vinegar or the Control III Disinfectant ? I want to get a clean and sterile mask but also be gently on the cushions to try and prolong there life. I'm not too worried about the smell as i use the pur-sleep aromatherapy.

[Babette]

Lazy? You want to talk LAZY?

Honey, I'm so lazy, I'm willing to shove things up my nose so I don't have to wash the damned seals every 2-3 days.

In fact, I typically go 2-3 weeks before I wash my cannulas. And hoses? Heck, I can't remember the last time I washed my hoses. Side hoses or main hoses.

The cheapest, most cost effective and laziest way to deal with this is NOT to buy another piece of bulky equipment.

It's to change your mask. Try the Nasal Aire II. Seriously.

Good luck!
Barbara

[Uncle_Bob]

Lazy? You want to talk LAZY?

Honey, I'm so lazy, I'm willing to shove things up my nose so I don't have to wash the damned seals every 2-3 days.

In fact, I typically go 2-3 weeks before I wash my cannulas. And hoses? Heck, I can't remember the last time I washed my hoses. Side hoses or main hoses.

The cheapest, most cost effective and laziest way to deal with this is NOT to buy another piece of bulky equipment.

It's to change your mask. Try the Nasal Aire II. Seriously.

Good luck!
Barbara

I found a machine on sale on Amazon for $19 reduced from $99, its not too big and i have the room in my bathroom. I recently read some reports of lab tests for bacteria on masks and how it increases over time with just "regular" cleaning, so that influenced my decision too.

I have tried the Nasal Aire II and I'm afraid I hated it, I didnt even try sleeping with it after trying it on

1) Too much tube contact with skin
2) Too much tube open to air and not under the protection of my hose snuggle thing so greater risk of rainout
3) Hose goes down and out to the side and I prefer up and over my headboard.
4) Hose runs around each side of my face so when on my side i have to sleep on the hose

I might take another look at it. If i don't maybe i could donate it to your trial thing that you run.

[LinkC]

Heck, I can't remember the last time I washed my hoses.

You're supposed to wash your hose? Uh oh....

I just take my mask into the shower with me every Monday morning, then hang it over the shower door to dry.

[TheDreamer]

I'm bad...I'm still on my original set of nasal pillows...even though I've hit my DME up for 3 replacement sets so far. The first was so I'd have a complete second mask as backup, another was when I went on a trip...I was worried that the one in my cpap bag might get crushed (it didn't....next time I'll know that I don't have to get it all into the same bag.) I grabbed a 3rd, for no real reason...except that I was there getting other replacement stuff (namely new hose).

Basically, I look at my data every weekend and leak line looking all nice and everything. Though they are turning more and more white/opaque.

So, I guess I've been at it like 6 months on it.

Solution to use in ultrasonic cleaner? Well, water is a solution. I'll either use filtered tap water or water straight from the tap, depending on what's quick.

I think I went with a big one, because I envisioned there'd be some way to run hose through it. But, I've never tried. Hose cleaning is more of something I do when I happen to have everything all apart....to wash the hose cover. Plus now I have extra hose, so I don't have to wait for it try now.

The Dreamer.

[jdm2857]

A few drops of a mild or unscented dish detergent in the water will help remove skin oils and Lansinoh from the pillows.