Caution with steaming!

[dlanbro]

I'd read a post about steaming the washable parts to disinfect them. Sounded like a good idea to try once a month. So, put them in a veggie steamer and was watching it to make sure everything was ok. It might have been steaming for 5 or so minutes when I noticed an issue. The top of my resevior melted! I took everything out asap and looked it all over, there's a hole in my hose as well. The hose can be fixed with a little duct tape but the resevior is a loss it looks like. Be careful with this if you intend to try it.

[tooter]

Where did you read about 'steaming'? I never saw anything about 'steaming' your hose or humidifier.

[Pugsy]

Silicone parts of the cushions and nasal pillows would probably hold up to steaming...not the hard plastic parts to any mask, tank or hoses. I am thinking what you read was someone who had steamed the silicone cushions/nasal pillows.
Same thing with boiling...only the silicone stuff.

The plastic parts will melt with boiling or steaming temps....as you found out.
Hopefully you have spares.

I wouldn't boil anything unless the cushion or nasal pillow was heading to the trash bin anyway.

If you feel you must disinfect...there are solutions just for that use or use vinegar (which some people like to do).

[Stormynights]

I steam my mask and hose all the time. I never had a problem. I am sorry to have given bad advice. Maybe my steamer is different. I do apologize. I really hate that this happened to anyone. I edited my previous posts with a caution.

[squid13]

I sure hope you had some spares.

[StuUnderPressure]

I steam my mask and hose all the time. I never had a problem. I am sorry to have given bad advice. Maybe my steamer is different. I do apologize. I really hate that this happened to anyone. I edited my previous posts with a caution.

What specific "steamer" do you use?
Also, a link to that steamer online would be helpful.

Steaming sure sounds simpler than boiling or even putting them in the dishwasher.

[Stormynights]

I steam my mask and hose all the time. I never had a problem. I am sorry to have given bad advice. Maybe my steamer is different. I do apologize. I really hate that this happened to anyone. I edited my previous posts with a caution.

What specific "steamer" do you use?
Also, a link to that steamer online would be helpful.

Steaming sure sounds simpler than boiling or even putting them in the dishwasher.

I use an old style rectangular Nesco steamer that is now discontinued. I wouldn't recommend steaming to anyone now. I never had a problem myself but I guess it isn't safe for everyone.

[dlanbro]

No problem with the advice. I took a chance. The hose was fixed with duct tape and the tank lid is a loss. I've been thinking of trying to sleep without it. My wife knows someone who doesn't fill the tank with water, he says that it actually helps with dry mouth. We'll see. I can call my DME aobout a replacement lid, it can't cost that much. No worries Stormy.

[Julie]

Hi, I'm just wondering why bother with steam unless you're trying literally to sanitize it for surgery or something? A little baby shampoo (unscented), or Cpap wipes will do all the cleaning you need quickly and easily.

[Stormynights]

No problem with the advice. I took a chance. The hose was fixed with duct tape and the tank lid is a loss. I've been thinking of trying to sleep without it. My wife knows someone who doesn't fill the tank with water, he says that it actually helps with dry mouth. We'll see. I can call my DME aobout a replacement lid, it can't cost that much. No worries Stormy.

I feel so bad for giving bad advice. You need to let me help.

[~Q~]

I was also told by my DME to use vinegar and water to clean various parts of my APAP setup and that it would kill germs. It's also really quick. I clean give all of my gear a vinegar rinse in about 10min.

Here is an good article on vinegar and germ killing. Sounds like it kills most germs, especially most found in standard households: http://www.rodale.com/natural-disinfectant.

Q

[chunkyfrog]

As always, we need to be careful when interpreting knowledge for our own use.
Results may vary. -can they ever!
Back when Vicks was found to be effective against toenail fungus, I wonder how many concluded
that athlete's foot and jock itch fungus are similar if not identical; --STOP! do NOT go there! AT ALL!
Now, if somebody is drunk and you want to teach them a "lesson" still not a nice thing to suggest.

[archangle]

I have put ResMed and Respironics water tanks into boiling water, but I do turn the heat off when I put the parts into the water. Never had any problems. Did any of the parts touch the sides or did you not have enough water? I wouldn't expect them to melt unless the temperature was above 100C. Polycarbonate shouldn't deform until 120C or so and doesn't melt till around 140C.

ResMed specs the tanks for 100 cycles of 10 minutes at 93C.

Edit - That speak is for the dishwashable tank, but I have boiled the old style non-openable H5i ResMed S9 tank.

Hoses don't seem to be quite as heat tolerant, especially "short hoses" that are part of some CPAP masks. In general, you should keep them below 70C temperature.

[ChicagoGranny]

Hi, I'm just wondering why bother with steam unless you're trying literally to sanitize it for surgery or something? A little baby shampoo (unscented), or Cpap wipes will do all the cleaning you need quickly and easily.

+1

[dlanbro]

Thanks for the info Q. I'll try it. I'm not germaphobic but it just seems to me that using this equipment night after night it would need to be sterilized every now and then.