Getting droplets out of tubing after cleaning

InnerGlow wrote:I'm a bit leery of not cleaning it at all because I am immune-suppressed.... I am not using the humidifier at this point

I'm curious what you think might get into the hose, since all you're putting in it is filtered air... not even humid filtered air.

Do you wear a filter mask all day?

InnerGlow wrote:Thanks for all the information.

The instructions for cleaning the tubing weekly I got from the DME (I know, notorious source of misinformation). The manufacturer actually says to clean the tubing daily, but I suspect that weekly or even every other week is more than enough. I'm a bit leery of not cleaning it at all because I am immune-suppressed.

As I mentioned in the original post, I am not using the humidifier at this point (that's what I'm comfortable with) and the humidity from the droplets is making me uncomfortable, so that's why I'm trying to dry it. I'll check for a mask fit setting on the CPAP to see if that will do a better job. Switching off between two hoses sounds like a good idea, although I don't think the DME will send me a new one for a couple of months.

If you stop washing it, it will dry in a day or two of use since you are not using the humidifier.
When I wash my equipment (rarely), I hold the hose in the middle and whip the hose around in a circle to get as much water out as possible. Then I do the other half.

Since you aren't using the heated hose I think maybe just get a spare hose and swap them out would be worth considering. Spare non heated hoses are pretty cheap.
Are you an Amazon Prime member by chance? If so you can get a spare hose for under $10 and of course free shipping for Prime members.

I'm curious what you think might get into the hose, since all you're putting in it is filtered air... not even humid filtered air.

Honestly, I don't know what I think might get into the hose. But if the manufacturer is recommending that I rinse it daily, I figured there must be a reason.

Since you aren't using the heated hose I think maybe just get a spare hose and swap them out would be worth considering. Spare non heated hoses are pretty cheap.
Are you an Amazon Prime member by chance? If so you can get a spare hose for under $10 and of course free shipping for Prime members.

Good to know. I'm new to this, so I didn't realize that a spare hose would be so cheap, plus I thought I might need a prescription (which I need to get a copy of when I see the doctor in a couple weeks).

Only the complete mask packages and the machine technically require a RX and even then we have ways to get around that small hurdle if we need to. Replacement parts to masks and the other equipment like filters, hoses, etc don't require a RX.
Your insurance should pay for another hose in 3 months as that is the usual replacement allowance but I don't know what your insurance is or co pays but I can get a hose cheaper on Amazon or EBay than my co pay after insurance when just getting the regular non heated hose.

It's always good to have a spare hose anyway. Never know what might happen especially if kids or pets are hanging around messing with stuff.

I probably have a new sealed hose in the donations box (people send me stuff they don't want and I give it away for cost of postage only) but right now I have a family member who just recently had breast cancer surgery and I am swamped with stuff I am doing for her plus the doctor visits, etc.
So I don't really have much extra time to get to the post office and to be honest.. sometimes mailing hoses costs more than the hose does which is why I suggest looking at Amazon or EBay where shipping is included. They don't weigh much but the size of the box is the killer.
If you can wait a week or so...send me a private message and I will see if I have a new generic hose. I have a new hose of some sort but don't remember exactly what it is. I think it's a slimline hose.

InnerGlow wrote:

I'm curious what you think might get into the hose, since all you're putting in it is filtered air... not even humid filtered air.

Honestly, I don't know what I think might get into the hose. But if the manufacturer is recommending that I rinse it daily, I figured there must be a reason.

Because some lawyer talked to some middle manager who told a tech writer to CYA ALL THE WAY BABY!.

That's why it's there. So when you get a normal cold, and you sue, ....

http://www.cpap.com has 19MM generic hose for $4.75 on sale now. If you watch, they offer free shipping around holidays. Sign up to get email updates from them. With Halloween coming up, I'm expecting to see free shipping and sales. The slim version 15 MM is $8.75.

Cardsfan wrote:http://www.cpap.com has 19MM generic hose for $4.75 on sale now. If you watch, they offer free shipping around holidays. Sign up to get email updates from them. With Halloween coming up, I'm expecting to see free shipping and sales. The slim version 15 MM is $8.75.

Yep. Plus sometimes if you hang around in the check out page you get a little pop up and they give you free shipping.

I did check last night to see if free shipping was part of the most recent promo but apparently not this time.
And yes...expect to see most likely even a baseball world series related promo.
They will do promos for the least little thing.

The best deal I think at cpap.com for hoses is the Respironics white Performance hose...those are so much nicer than the cheap generic gray hoses. Lighter and more flexible and not all that much more money right now.

InnerGlow wrote:Thanks for all the information.

The instructions for cleaning the tubing weekly I got from the DME (I know, notorious source of misinformation). The manufacturer actually says to clean the tubing daily, but I suspect that weekly or even every other week is more than enough. I'm a bit leery of not cleaning it at all because I am immune-suppressed.

As I mentioned in the original post, I am not using the humidifier at this point (that's what I'm comfortable with) and the humidity from the droplets is making me uncomfortable, so that's why I'm trying to dry it. I'll check for a mask fit setting on the CPAP to see if that will do a better job. Switching off between two hoses sounds like a good idea, although I don't think the DME will send me a new one for a couple of months.

Hoses are under $5 with free shipping on ebay.

Hi! I’m new here and new to CPAP. I just washed my tubing for the first time as recommended by manufacturer and clinician. I was very nervous about doing it correctly and after I was done rinsing tubing w soap and water as instructed I found that I could not get all water droplets out of tubing . I saw this post and now kinda wish I did not bother trying to wash the big tubing . I tried to dry it using the mask fit cycle a while as I saw suggested here. I think most of the droplets are gone , however now I am nervous I really did more harm than good by trying to wash it in the first place. I was looking into buying a sanitizing machine but now wonder if I should .
Can someone advise me as to whether I should worry about if I now caused more harm than good ? And also suggest best way to clean the CPAP equipment and which pieces are crucial to keep sanitized . Thank you

A) Just don't wash it again... not unless you see something (alive or otherwise) in there.

B) Whatever else you want to spend $300 on, do NOT let it be an ozone (bad for you) So Clean machine that does nothing good at all. The machine's not dirty and does not need disinfecting at any time, and any 'germs' that might be around are those that are always there anyhow, that you breathe all day long anyhow. If you do a forum search on the machine you'll see hundreds of 'anti' SC posts - the thing is a scam and they're now in court trying to save their day... though I suppose TV stations have to finish out their contracts by running the ads. Poor Capt. Kirk got flamboozled!

Hopeful2 wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 21, 2019 5:26 pm

I was looking into buying a sanitizing machine but now wonder if I should .

No! ----> viewtopic.php?f=1&t=176205&p=1311194&hi ... n#p1311194

Hopeful2 wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 21, 2019 5:26 pm

Can someone advise me as to whether I should worry about if I now caused more harm than good ?

Don't worry about it. But, you might not want to do it again. Many of us here never wash our hoses. I rarely catch a cold and haven't caught any other type of infection.

Hopeful2 wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 21, 2019 5:26 pm

And also suggest best way to clean the CPAP equipment and which pieces are crucial to keep sanitized .

My routine: Mask gets washed in Dawn dish soap liquid once per week. Machine has never been cleaned except for dusting off. Change machine air filters as needed. I don't use a humidifier so someone else can recommend a schedule.

When I used to wash my hose, (I don't anymore).

• Immediately after washing, I would hold it at the approximate half way point and spin it around quite vigorously. I would then spin the other side. This forced a fair amount of water droplets out.
• I would then connect to device and run a mask fit cycle. I'm not sure how much water droplets were left, I didn't look for them nor care.

My Cleaning:

• Every morning I wipe my mask with a baby wipe
• Every few weeks I wash my humidifier and mask in hot water and dawn
• I can't remember the last time I washed my heated hose
• I don't use distilled water
• I rotated through 3 sets of P10 masks. Throwing them the straps in the laundry to tighten them up.

My hose and humidifier are original (March 2018). My p10 masks are (May 2018, Nov 2018, Jan 2018). Nothing has warn out. I've since switched to the P30i. I believe excessive washing wears equipment out faster.

I would not consider a SoClean or any other CPAP sanitizer, they are not necessary.

InnerGlow wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 15, 2017 8:15 pm

Honestly, I don't know what I think might get into the hose. But if the manufacturer is recommending that I rinse it daily, I figured there must be a reason.

Cautionary warning labels are primarily to protect the manufacturer from litigation.

Spend a few minutes reading the warning labels on items through out your house. They are ridiculous.

Hopeful2 wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 21, 2019 5:26 pm

, however now I am nervous I really did more harm than good by trying to wash it in the first place.

I wouldn't worry about any harm after one washing unless you just went crazy about it.

Hopeful2 wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 21, 2019 5:26 pm

,And also suggest best way to clean the CPAP equipment and which pieces are crucial to keep sanitized .

Eh, what? where did you get THAT idea?

they're your own germs, do you sanitize your sheets every day? your forks, knives, plates? you eat off that stuff.