Method of cleaning/washing your hose

It was recommended initially that I wash my hose using the shower. but that won't get the hose fully filled as water passes through. I think I need a funnel for the top end and something to plug up the other end with. In the sink, gravity works against me. What's your technique for cleaning your tubing?

There are lots of people...me included...that NEVER clean their lose. Think about it. The only thing that goes through the hose is filtered room air that passes over distilled water. Use your own judgement. As far as drying the hose if you do clean it...not necessary since it will just get wet again when you hook it up to your humidifier at night.

davep700 wrote:It was recommended initially that I wash my hose using the shower. but that won't get the hose fully filled as water passes through. I think I need a funnel for the top end and something to plug up the other end with. In the sink, gravity works against me. What's your technique for cleaning your tubing?

my preferred method of washing my hose to leave it on the machine and save the time and effort... it's worked for me for years.

in case anybody wonders, that method doesn't involve water.

davep700 wrote:It was recommended initially that I wash my hose using the shower. but that won't get the hose fully filled as water passes through. I think I need a funnel for the top end and something to plug up the other end with. In the sink, gravity works against me. What's your technique for cleaning your tubing?

When I do clean my hose(seldom) I fill up the sink with warm water and add white vinegar. I let it sit about 2 minutes then rinse with warm water. Just put one end up to the faucet, let it rinse for awhile and wala...clean hose.

Makes sense. I guess you keep the hose on an even level and let the water trickle through.

If you are using a Respironics heated hose, they recommend not putting the electronic end it the water. I looked and the new ResMed hoses do not state that. When I clean, not often, I put baby shampoo soapy water in the hose and raise it up and down (with my hand holding the electronic end up) to wash then rinse the same way. I have a hose brush and used only once or twice. I don't think it was a necessary purchase.

I *think* I gathered that washing the hose might prevent an odor build up for those who are sensitive to 'mask smells'... I could be wrong.

davep700 wrote:I *think* I gathered that washing the hose might prevent an odor build up for those who are sensitive to 'mask smells'... I could be wrong.

Yes, you could be. I only allow clean filtered air in mine, when and if it stops fitting the mask and machine, I send it to the landfill, they take care of it, like tech support for XPAP. JIM

davep700 wrote:I *think* I gathered that washing the hose might prevent an odor build up for those who are sensitive to 'mask smells'... I could be wrong.

So... if your mask "smells"..... wash it, Your hose would not smell if your mask was clean. I washed mine once and someone here told me to dry it by swinging it around to let the water droplets dry....... yup, I did it and the end of the hose gouged my wall as it swung around . Never washed it again, as I now know that nothing but filtered air and distilled water EVER touch it.
Nan

Use a one cup measuriing cup that has a "Pour" spot on the rim. Hold both ends in one hand and fill er up with your cleaning solution. Hold hose in the shape of a U. It will fill the entire thing held that way. I fill it up at the sink and then empty one end into the tub.

I don't clean my hose anymore. I hope the old timers on here are right. I figured I was introducing more germ into the hose by trying to clean it. But, my ins. Replaces the long hose every 3 months.

I use the same highly diluted Star San disinfecting cleaner that I use on my brewing equipment and glassware. Star San is odorless, drains well and is an effective anti-bacterial agent. It does an especially good job on the humidifier reservoir preventing any biofilm or mineral deposits (I use tap-water). It seems to work pretty well on the mask and hose because it doesn't leave any visible residue and has no odor.

You can go to this link of lists of links about "cleaning". It covers the spectrum of the members of the forum.

viewtopic.php?p=567264#p567264


Den

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I soak the inner surfaces for half an hour with Control III once a month. Buy it from our sponsors: CPAP.com. Dilute as instructed on the label. I never have any hose problems.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/Contro ... eaner.html

Sleeprider wrote:I use the same highly diluted Star San disinfecting cleaner that I use on my brewing equipment and glassware. Star San is odorless, drains well and is an effective anti-bacterial agent. It does an especially good job on the humidifier reservoir preventing any biofilm or mineral deposits (I use tap-water). It seems to work pretty well on the mask and hose because it doesn't leave any visible residue and has no odor.

Interesting, I used to brew so I'll check it out.

If you get any "rain out" making water condense in your hose and, your barely filtered air carries some mold spores to that wet environment, it's possible (in my opinion) that they might be able establish themselves in there from time to time.(however briefly that may be) Leave a "clean" dampened towel sitting in a sealed plastic bag for a couple days....see what ya get. The coarse "pollen" filters provided with pap machines only catch a portion of the largest airborne particles drawn into the machine, the rest are passed through into the fan, water chamber, hose, mask & finally, you. Many state that they're not worried about "their own" germs making them sick. What about the ones all around that aren't "their own", those are the ones I tend to be concerned about. They are the ones that can make you sick. Got Aspergillosis ? Clean your hose as often as you see fit. Someone that boasts of not tidying since the Nixon administration doesn't really inspire me to do likewise. FWIW, water will always seek it's own level. If you hold both hose ends side by side under the faucet, water flowing into one end will eventually fill the hose & come up to the level in the other end.

How do I disinfect the large bubble room I live in the other 16 hours a day? Jim