Washing The Hose?

I've read different views on this but is there any benefit to washing our hoses by using some regular dish soap and water and rinsing it with water and air dry? I figured the filter on our machines would ensure the hoses remain clean of any bacteria and that the most important thing is to keep the masks and water chamber clean with regular cleaning. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks

Some people never wash their hoses, others occasionally and some very frequently (if you follow the manufacturer's suggestions.) Everyone swears by their method and really, it is up to you. But speaking personally, I tend to wash the silicone interface on my mask daily. The water tank about every 4-5 days and I do a full wash of the water tank, main hose and mask including it's own hose with dishwashing soap and warm water every few weeks. No brush or anything, I just let the equipment sit in warm soapy water for a few minutes and then let the water slosh around inside by lifting up and tilting side to side, then rinse out with warm water and hang to dry.

I feel that since the hoses and mask carries humidity and may or may not fully dry out unless you air them out, it may be a good idea to wash them occasionally. I also find the air just smells better for a while after cleaning occurs and I'm not just talking about the fresh lemony scent... But I know of a former microbiologist that posts on another forum that has said that really there are no serious pathogens that could harm you which would grow on your equipment.

Unless you are severely immune compromised it is not all that necessary to be too stringent or regular with your cleaning. But an occasional clean many not hurt, as long as you are very gentle with your cleaning regimen. I've heard of some folks damaging their equipment by trying to clean too rigorously, including putting their water tank into their dishwasher and then wondering why they are getting leaks. There are of course some "dishwasher safe" water tanks advertised but I would still clean gently by hand just to be safe.

jagstyles wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 10, 2018 10:22 am

I've read different views on this but is there any benefit to washing our hoses by using some regular dish soap and water and rinsing it with water and air dry?

None that I've been able to find, other than assuaging a person's (unfounded) germophobia.

Huge waste of time unless you KNOW something's in there that shouldn't be (flew in thru mask?) .

No benefit....

I am a freshly minted cpapper that started therapy in July 2018. I would routinely wash my headgear, mask, hose and humidifier every week as suggested by manufacturer and quickly realized that it is time consuming and really not necessary. I use distilled water in my reservoir so there is never any mineral build up.

That being said my routine is now:
1. Hand wash reservoir once every 2 weeks with dish soap and warm water.
2. Wipe mask down with mask wipes daily. I also use the same mask wipe to wipe down my CPAP machine and table to keep things dust free. It helps if you use a mask liner because then you can hand wash the liner every few days.
3. Hand wash headgear with warm water and dish soap on a monthly interval.
4. Going forward I intend to wash hose and mask elbow every 3 months by soaking it in dish soap and warm water and carefully running a CPAP hose cleaning brush.

But as others have said, some religiously clean as per manufacturers instructions while others hardly do much cleaning at all. The only time I would clean more regularly is if I was sick and wanted to make sure that I am not reinfecting myself with my own germs. I am normally a neurotic germophone and I quickly learned that it takes too much “life energy” to follow manufacturer instructions to the word. I have better things to do with my time!

I have never washed my hose..... I think.... I'll replace my hose maybe once a year.

Sheriff