Dr. Bronner's Liquid Soap - Lavender

I know some of you swear by Dr. Bronner's liquid soap for cleaning masks and other CPAP equipment. I'll be in the city today and plan to buy some at the natural foods store that carries it.

The Dr. Bronner's reviews I've read online indicate that the peppermint is great for cleaning nearly everything in the house. One of the reviewers (from 2007) said the scent was extremely strong (too strong); later reviews suggested that the scent had since been toned down a bit and was much more pleasant and tolerable.

I love the smell of peppermint, but I'm wondering if the lavender cleans just as well. I would think lavender would be better for CPAP scent purposes, but I'll try the peppermint if that's what most of you use and like.

TIA

They all clean equally well! I don't think the essential oils really contribute to the *cleaning* capacity of the soap.

I have used probably every kind of Dr. Bronner's (except rose, that's next up for me); and lavendar is probably my favourite. I don't often buy the peppermint, although I like it, because I do find the peppermint scent quite strong (once I used it as shampoo while camping and I regretted it. But I felt very ALIVE!). Lavender is known to be very soothing and sleep-inducing -- if you want to use this for your CPAP equipment I think it would be a natural choice!

I found Dr. Bronner's soap at my local Kroger store-- and a good selection. I was surprised to find it there. I use just plain ole unscented and like it. It's quite good.

Almond is my favorite.
I use it every night.

I've been using Eucalyptus. I like it, but next time I think I'll try Peppermint. Ivory liquid soap also works very well, but I have to buy it online. I get it at AmericaRx.Com.

Eureka, we have Fry's Grocery out here in Arizona (their store-brand products are Kroger), so I called to inquire, and they do carry Dr. Bronner's in the nutrition section. So thanks for that info, as I imagine it'll be much cheaper there than at the natural foods store.

I think I'll go for the lavender scent, since you guys say they all clean equally well. (I'll likely use it for lots of things, but I want it mostly for my CPAP equipment, and lavender is soothing and relaxing for sleep.)

Thanks to you all for your info and suggestions.

If you find the lavender scent too strong, you could dilute it by mixing it with the unscented version.

I'll post another vote for the unscented Dr. Bronner's.

I had been using Johnson's Baby Shampoo - I thought it was OK. After awhile I had to replace the pillows on my mask. About then is also when I changed to Dr. Bronner's. I noticed that my new pillows lasted longer. I then tried washing my older pillows in Dr. Bronner's, and they once again became useful! I'm now still using my original pillows.

I wouldn't risk any scents - the oils might do something to the silicone. But, if they are lasting long enough, no big deal.

I'm going to buy lavender the next time, I been using peppermint, I buy it at Giant super store.

Depending on what mask you have, you can also try boiling your pillows/prongs/seal after washing them with your favorite soap.

You should make sure all parts are silicone, and boil them in a pot with plenty of water, so they can float freely. I take them out with tongs, and then air dry them on a paper towel. I don't boil for more than five minutes.

This is recommended by manufacturers of other silicone devices as an effective cleansing/disinfecting method.

I find it helps my NAII prongs. Your mileage may vary.

Cheers,
B.

I've been using the peppermint and I LOVE it, (ever since I trialed Babette's Nasalaire, and she had washed the equipment in it)
My stuff is lasting long , for sure.
I was very alarmed, thought, when the booklet that come with my Activa LT said not to wash the mask in ANYTHING that had a scent or essential oils, because you might accidentally breathe it in.
Now, I use Pursleep, so I do breathe essential oils, and I seem to be fine.
What's up with that warning, I wonder?

Just an aside, I've been using Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds for year to wash my fruits and vegetables.

Possibly some of the user's who feel the lavender fragrance is overly strong aren't diluting the liquid soap as directed by Dr. Bronner for general cleaning uses.

I've used the lavender in the past, but prefer the Johnson's head-to-toe baby wash. The diluted liquid soap was OK and the aroma was pleasant, 'cept, for me, the diluting was a step I didn't want, and, it didn't rinse away from my mask/cushions as well as the baby wash.

Maybe look for the small bottle in lavender and give it a try just to see how it goes for you. I bought the humongo size (at our Target) and am sorry 'cauze I would like to check out other fragances (for showering) sooner than the length of time it is going to take to use this up! Patience is not one of my strong suits!

Have fun experimenting!
Patzee

sepool wrote:After awhile I had to replace the pillows on my mask. About then is also when I changed to Dr. Bronner's. I noticed that my new pillows lasted longer. I then tried washing my older pillows in Dr. Bronner's, and they once again became useful! I'm now still using my original pillows.

Ooh, that's good to know. Thanks, sepool. Maybe I can revive my Swift LT pillows (the good "old" ones) and use that mask again. I've been wearing the new FullLife for the past three nights, and the bridge of my nose is rebelling. It's very red, swollen, and extremely tender, and I thought I might give it a break tonight and struggle through with my leaky old LT. But if I can revive my pillows, maybe it'll be a good night, and my poor nose will have a chance to recover before I assault it with the FullLife again.

I did find Dr. Bronner's at Fry's. They didn't have many bottles, and only three scents - lavender, eucalyptus, and peppermint. I bought both the lavender and the peppermint, and they both smell good. The 32-oz. bottle was $10 on sale (regular price is $11), which is quite a bit cheaper than the Dr. Bronner's site prices ($15 for this size, plus shipping.) I bought both, since I can use it to clean just about everything, and I love that it's natural and environmentally-friendly. (Some people even brush their teeth with it!)

Thanks, everyone.

[quote="BleepingBeautyOoh, that's good to know. Thanks, sepool. Maybe I can revive my Swift LT pillows (the good "old" ones) and use that mask again. I've been wearing the new FullLife for the past three nights, and the bridge of my nose is rebelling. It's very red, swollen, and extremely tender, and I thought I might give it a break tonight and struggle through with my leaky old LT. But if I can revive my pillows, maybe it'll be a good night, and my poor nose will have a chance to recover before I assault it with the FullLife again.
[/quote]

Let us know if the Dr. Bronner's rejuvenates your old LT pillows - I hope it wasn't just me!