How do you make mask cushion last longest?

almostadoctor · Post by **almostadoctor** » Mon Jan 13, 2020 4:11 pm

Dog Slobber wrote: ↑
Mon Jan 13, 2020 11:49 am

almostadoctor wrote: ↑
Mon Jan 13, 2020 10:32 am

BOILING IS THE WORST.

Did you even read the context surrounding the suggestions of when masks could and should be boiled? Or the linked topics where many discussed their success?

Pugsy wrote: ↑
Sat Jan 11, 2020 12:16 pm
Don't attempt it unless the cushion was going in the trash can anyway just in case you mess up.

Dog Slobber wrote: ↑
Sat Jan 11, 2020 2:14 pm
Thus the precautionary, "Don't attempt it unless the cushion was going in the trash can anyway just in case you mess up."

Pugsy wrote: ↑
Sat Jan 11, 2020 2:17 pm
Definitely try it with just one cushion and one that was headed for the trash can anyway ......just in case.
It was stated three separate times, and re-quoted many more times.

You could not have missed it.

Silicone has an operating temperature of approximately -100 to 300 degrees C. Boiling will not harm it, and can restore its clarity, firmness, tackiness and shape. The potential problem is when the mask cushion is a hybrid of silicone and other substances that don't have the heat resilience of silicone. Also stated multiple times.

Not pure silicone in the case or ResMed. "Silocone Elastomer" which is a hybrid polymer.

https://www.directhomemedical.com/masks ... s-list.pdf

But thank you for correcting me so extremely. Consider me whipped into obedience.

nanwilson · Post by **nanwilson** » Mon Jan 13, 2020 4:27 pm

I have been using the boil trick for years, Can't afford to keep buying replacement parts, so this is the best job for me.
Not all have been Resmed, but Innomed,& PR too.... NEVER have had a problem and all interfaces come out sparkling clean....
and last just as long as the originals did.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Mon Jan 13, 2020 4:32 pm

booksfan wrote: ↑
Mon Jan 13, 2020 4:00 pm
The two I was able to tolerate best (or were least objectionable, take your pick, I really had a lot of trouble finding a mask!) were the Nuance Pro and the Pilairo Q. The Pilairo Q would start to leak after about 2 weeks and the Nuance Pro at about 2.5.

Ah...those 2 I did try but while I could use them well enough I suppose, they weren't ever something I used beyond a brief trial time frame so I never really used either of those for very long to get any idea how long they might last for me. I didn't like them well enough to want to jump ship to them from what I was using primarily at the time. To me they were just "okay, I could use but have no real desire to over what I am using now" kind of thing.

I was just wondering if you had early failure with one of the ones I got lots of life out of. Just curious is all.
Pillow life has a big YMMV sticker though. I think RobySue only got 3 weeks or so out of a Swift FX pillow and I routinely got months and months and I am reasonably certain she didn't abuse the pillows with major scrubbing or anything like that.

The Bleep has really spoiled me...my urge to experiment isn't nearly as strong as it used to me.

Case in point the P30i that I have in my possession right now that is going to need some modifications to just try it and I am not really motivated to take up doing the necessary modifications.
The only mask I am REALLY wanting to try is going to be the second generation Bleep once it is out there to try.

Pretty sure you understand where I am at with that one.

booksfan · Post by **booksfan** » Mon Jan 13, 2020 5:09 pm

Pugsy wrote: ↑
Mon Jan 13, 2020 4:32 pm

booksfan wrote: ↑
Mon Jan 13, 2020 4:00 pm
The two I was able to tolerate best (or were least objectionable, take your pick, I really had a lot of trouble finding a mask!) were the Nuance Pro and the Pilairo Q. The Pilairo Q would start to leak after about 2 weeks and the Nuance Pro at about 2.5.
Ah...those 2 I did try but while I could use them well enough I suppose, they weren't ever something I used beyond a brief trial time frame so I never really used either of those for very long to get any idea how long they might last for me. I didn't like them well enough to want to jump ship to them from what I was using primarily at the time. To me they were just "okay, I could use but have no real desire to over what I am using now" kind of thing.

I was just wondering if you had early failure with one of the ones I got lots of life out of. Just curious is all.
Pillow life has a big YMMV sticker though. I think RobySue only got 3 weeks or so out of a Swift FX pillow and I routinely got months and months and I am reasonably certain she didn't abuse the pillows with major scrubbing or anything like that.

The Bleep has really spoiled me...my urge to experiment isn't nearly as strong as it used to me.
Case in point the P30i that I have in my possession right now that is going to need some modifications to just try it and I am not really motivated to take up doing the necessary modifications.
The only mask I am REALLY wanting to try is going to be the second generation Bleep once it is out there to try.
Pretty sure you understand where I am at with that one.

I know what you mean about the Bleep. In the 14 months I was on CPAP pre-Bleep, I easily tried 14+ different mask. Mostly on my dime! My husband, who goes through 1 P10 pillow per year (or two

) could not believe it! He is very happy now that I am so pleased with Bleep and no longer desperately buying masks, trying to find one I can tolerate! I haven't tried one since last March!

Stephaniedp3 · Post by **Stephaniedp3** » Mon Jan 13, 2020 8:38 pm

I just use baby soap and water. And I find it funny we need to trust doctors and ignore the helpful forum but damn replacement parts are a racket. Sorry sorry don’t wanna stir that's just so funny.

jsmit86 · Post by **jsmit86** » Mon Jan 13, 2020 9:18 pm

I have boiled an AirFit F20 mask cushion with decent results.
I used filtered water, added a bit of baking soda, and simmered in a pot of water on the stove per the directions.

It did restore the silicone portion of the cushion, and there was not any negative impact on the hard plastic portion. I kept it as a spare for a while.

Now I'm mostly using the AirTouch F20 cushion with memory foam, and there is no way I'm boiling one of those.

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Mon Jan 13, 2020 11:48 pm

almostadoctor wrote: ↑
Mon Jan 13, 2020 10:32 am
HOLY SMOKES!

Most of you are way, way overwashing. The manufacturer recommendation about "wash every day in soap and water" is an idiotic CYA recommendation and just insures more income on consumables. 99% of disinfecting is done with simple water and mechanical action. Oils like citrus in wipes will only degrade the surface; you want to get oils OFF of it.

BOILING IS THE WORST.

Every 2-4 weeks I wash my tubes and mask in VERY MILD diluted dish soap in a clean sink insert used only for this purpose.

Every day or so I wipe my nasal pillows with a non-citrus, non-scented, plain CPAP wipe. Every other day I throw my mask assembly in a cosmetology (read: cheap) UV chamber for disinfecting. The UV hasn't affected the silicone.

My nasal pillows stay sealed for months and months. I used an F&P nasal pillow for nearly 6 months this way.

More noise to ignore.

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Mon Jan 13, 2020 11:55 pm

almostadoctor wrote: ↑
Mon Jan 13, 2020 4:11 pm

Not pure silicone in the case or ResMed. "Silocone Elastomer" which is a hybrid polymer.

https://www.directhomemedical.com/masks ... s-list.pdf

But thank you for correcting me so extremely. Consider me whipped into obedience.

What a PRO, quoting marketing materials in order to back up their nonsense.

Of course, like *everything else* you don't understand what you're blabbering about.

Silicone *IS* and elastomer.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicone_rubber
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/en ... -elastomer

Stable to over three times the boiling point of water at sea level, ergo, boiling won't affect the silicone.

Now, please stop posting nonsense until you learn something.

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Tue Jan 14, 2020 12:54 am

Extreme mask life, aside from pure necessity, is equivalent to most crazy contests.
The bullfrog used to participate in such competitions at his work.
Arm wrestling, hot pepper consumption, and others were common,
but the most memorable was when he hocked a loogie for over 40 feet,
hitting his challenger squarely between the eyes--after warning him to step aside.

EK3377 · Post by **EK3377** » Sun Jan 19, 2020 9:45 am

jsmit86 wrote: ↑
Mon Jan 13, 2020 9:18 pm
I have boiled an AirFit F20 mask cushion with decent results.
I used filtered water, added a bit of baking soda, and simmered in a pot of water on the stove per the directions.

It did restore the silicone portion of the cushion, and there was not any negative impact on the hard plastic portion. I kept it as a spare for a while.

Now I'm mostly using the AirTouch F20 cushion with memory foam, and there is no way I'm boiling one of those.

Thank you, that is very helpful to know you tried it with F20, because that one I know has a mix. As many others have stated, just have to try it carefully, with one headed to the trash and see what happens.

EK3377 · Post by **EK3377** » Sun Jan 19, 2020 9:49 am

Thanks so much to everyone that responded and provided advice on this topic. I found it very helpful advice, and have several factors to try adjusting now, and see what works.

D.H. · Post by **D.H.** » Sun Jan 19, 2020 9:19 pm

You do need to wash the parts that touch you skin directly every morning with soap and water. That will prolong the useful life of those parts (and reduce leaks).

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Sun Jan 19, 2020 9:38 pm

D.H. wrote: ↑
Sun Jan 19, 2020 9:19 pm
You do need to wash the parts that touch you skin directly every morning with soap and water. That will prolong the useful life of those parts (and reduce leaks).

No you don't.

Will you ever stop talking nonsense?

Many people just use a baby wipe, or a bit of alcohol on a tissue, many things will do a fine job removing tacial oils.

How do you make mask cushion last longest?

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Re: How do you make mask cushion last longest?

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Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: Auto PAP; 13.5 cmH2O min - 20 cmH2O max