Velcro won't hold

I have a reoccurring problem with my ResMed FX headgear. The mask and headgear will be fine, but the Velcro on the elastic strap won't hold. I can't get a new strap without ordering an entire headgear. Is there an easy alternative solution?

Have you tried checking cpap.com for replacement headgear?
https://www.cpap.com/cpap-mask-parts/cp ... 2::::10000:

JeffL wrote:I have a reoccurring problem with my ResMed FX headgear. The mask and headgear will be fine, but the Velcro on the elastic strap won't hold. I can't get a new strap without ordering an entire headgear. Is there an easy alternative solution?

Hi Jeff - you might try thin velcro straps you can buy at Walmart or elsewhere, that are generally used to organize computer or electric cords/ wires/ cables. I have a pack of Velcro brand 'One-Wrap' fasteners in different colors. You can try modifying one or two to work with your mask; I would suggest either sewing or safety pinning the velcro to your headgear.

You can also buy velcro in other sizes, as well, at many stores.

If the hook side is full of lint or fibers (possibly including hair),
you might be able to clear the tangle with a tiny crochet hook.
--or even a suede brush.

I remember when the packages came with an extra back strap but I haven't seen those in a long time.
I have seen back straps alone on EBay in the past but it was a rare thing..none now from what I see.
From what I can see ResMed doesn't offer just that back strap all by itself...best is the back strap and silicone frame.
The frame lasts forever with common sense care but you are right...that strap gets tired even if a person doesn't mess with adjustment once initially set. That's what I did...get it fit and leave it alone...I would never undo it with washing or anything to limit the velcro wearing out.

I think Chunkyfrog nailed it. When I put on my strongest reading glasses, I could see all kinds of fuzzies in the hooks. Between brushing it, and picking them out with a straight pin, I think the gripping action has been restored. I'll know for sure when I sleep with it tonight.

After a while, I find I have to use safety pins to hold my straps together, even if I pick the lint out of the hooks.

I've been trying to figure out something better than a safety pin, but no luck yet. I'm thinking of something like a paper clip that holds the hooks to the fuzz, but I haven't found the right combination.

The best way to clean Velcro hook tape is with another piece of Velcro hook tape (you can buy pieces at the fabric store or even by the foot). Just slide one piece of hook tape along the other and it will pull out the bits of lint and other stuff that collects.

Mine held up last night, but I think an alternative might be small adjustable buckles.

Pugsy wrote:I remember when the packages came with an extra back strap but I haven't seen those in a long time.
I have seen back straps alone on EBay in the past but it was a rare thing..none now from what I see.
From what I can see ResMed doesn't offer just that back strap all by itself...best is the back strap and silicone frame.
The frame lasts forever with common sense care but you are right...that strap gets tired even if a person doesn't mess with adjustment once initially set. That's what I did...get it fit and leave it alone...I would never undo it with washing or anything to limit the velcro wearing out.

DON'T TAKE IT APART WHEN YOU WASH IT! That's when it fills with lint and other crap.

And, once you get it adjusted, you should hardly ever have to undo the Velcro.


Den

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I agree with the don't take it apart philosophy.

Beyond that, if you're really on a strict CPAP budget, I've found that it's never the 'hooks' part of the hook/loop closures (ie. Velcro) that fails... it's always the loops part or what I call the 'fuzzy' part. It just gets pitiful and frayed until it just won't let the hooks get buried into it anymore. On a few occasions on cycling shoes or on camping gear I've been known to cut off the old 'fuzzy' pads with an Xacto knife and simply sew on a new replacement pad with a few stitches of coat thread. One in each corner and one stitch in the center is plenty unless you have a sewing machine... in that case nail that suck down good. If I'm feeling lazy I will sometimes just use a few dabs of ShoeGoo to secure the new 'fuzzy' pad over the old one. I've never had it fail and the repairs always last a year. For a CPAP strap I'd use the glue method and call it good. I did that once and in a pinch it gets the job done tho it's not pretty.
http://www.amazon.com/Shoegoo-82049-Sho ... s=shoe-goo

If velcro doesn't stick you can always pull it off replace it with some new velcro. When you reattach new velcro put some gorilla glue on it that will ensure a firmer bond. We do this a lot for splints.

Beyond getting the lint out of the loops - you do know they make velcro in different adhesion strengths (if you are going to replace it). Some sticks stronger than others.

archangle wrote:After a while, I find I have to use safety pins to hold my straps together, even if I pick the lint out of the hooks.

I've been trying to figure out something better than a safety pin, but no luck yet. I'm thinking of something like a paper clip that holds the hooks to the fuzz, but I haven't found the right combination.

After reading posts for this subject last night, I decided to try safety pins. I pinned them right next to the clips. I had to adjust them after trying to go to sleep. I was surprised at how well they worked. I slept much better last night than I had in a long time. I think I had gotten used to having to keep the straps looser than they should be.

Some great ideas there. Did not have any Velcro cable ties handy so as a temporary fix I stapled the worn Velcro bits together with a normal office stapler … WITH THE SHARP ENDS OF THE STAPLES FACING AWAY FROM MY FACE IN CASE THEY COME OPEN AND SCRATCH MY FACE. I also put extra staples along the straps for added strength.
I suspect it could prove to be a permanent fix!!!