Well, I've been using my machine since August 17th and I thought I was doing everything right, but apparently I wasn't?  I haven't been emptying out my tank every night, and this week the water in my tank lasted 4 nights.  Last night I went to go swish it out and refill it, and I think mold has grown inside of it.  :(

So, my question is, since I usually clean my machine with just baby shampoo, this time I'm going to clean it with the vinegar solution suggested with the paperwork I got.  Do you think this is sufficient enough to clean out the probable mold in my tank?

I feel really dumb.  lol :)

kristinhope79 wrote:

Well, I've been using my machine since August 17th and I thought I was doing everything right, but apparently I wasn't?  I haven't been emptying out my tank every night, and this week the water in my tank lasted 4 nights.  Last night I went to go swish it out and refill it, and I think mold has grown inside of it.  :(

So, my question is, since I usually clean my machine with just baby shampoo, this time I'm going to clean it with the vinegar solution suggested with the paperwork I got.  Do you think this is sufficient enough to clean out the probable mold in my tank?

I feel really dumb.  lol :)

Be very careful if using a vinegar solution. You should confine it to the 'hard' parts of the humidifier. Do NOT use it on your mask, as it will shorten the life of it. Soft soap and warm water is sufficient. In fact soft soap and warm water is sufficient for all the equipment.........you can use a nail brush or tooth brush for the water chamber of the humidifier........or some folks put the base plate in the dishwasher.

The 'mould' may be just a build up on the base plate.......a good scrub will clear it.

Don't ever feel dumb........no such thing as a dumb question, if you are unsure.

Daniel.


_________________
The untreated Sleep Apnoea sufferer died quietly in his sleep.......
Unlike his three passengers who died screaming !!!!!!

(Anon)

Daniel wrote:

kristinhope79 wrote:

Well, I've been using my machine since August 17th and I thought I was doing everything right, but apparently I wasn't?  I haven't been emptying out my tank every night, and this week the water in my tank lasted 4 nights.  Last night I went to go swish it out and refill it, and I think mold has grown inside of it.  :(

So, my question is, since I usually clean my machine with just baby shampoo, this time I'm going to clean it with the vinegar solution suggested with the paperwork I got.  Do you think this is sufficient enough to clean out the probable mold in my tank?

I feel really dumb.  lol :)

Be very careful if using a vinegar solution. You should confine it to the 'hard' parts of the humidifier. Do NOT use it on your mask, as it will shorten the life of it. Soft soap and warm water is sufficient. In fact soft soap and warm water is sufficient for all the equipment.........you can use a nail brush or tooth brush for the water chamber of the humidifier........or some folks put the base plate in the dishwasher.

The 'mould' may be just a build up on the base plate.......a good scrub will clear it.

Don't ever feel dumb........no such thing as a dumb question, if you are unsure.

Daniel.

Thank you for your response.  :)  I wonder why the paperwork suggests a vinegar solution if it's so rough on everything?  My DME is who suggested the baby shampoo unless I get really sick and then to do the vinegar solution.  Otherwise, I probably would have been doing the vinegar solution all along.

The frustrating thing is I wish the water chamber could be taken apart - then it would be SO EASY to clean!!!  I have the F&P Sleep Style 600 series.

If I put it in the dishwasher, do you think it really has a chance of getting pretty clean?  It seems to me that it wouldn't and that soap would just get stuck inside...but of course, I've never tried that.

Although the Vinegar probably does have some disinfectant value it is mostly used to break up any mineral deposits left from the water. I use distilled water so no mineral build up.

I do however wash the tank on a daily basis. The thought of a mold spore going down into my nice warm perfect environment for mold to grow lungs scares the hell out of me.


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REMstar Auto M series with A-Flex and humidifier. Plus an O2 concentrator

My DME said do not wash in dishwasher. Mine's a Remstar M series Pro and it comes apart very nicely to clean. And I do use distilled water too. I have to fill my tank nightly as I use more than half the tank each night.


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Respironics REMstar Pro w/C flex and humidifier

Pressure 9 H2o, C flex 3, Humidifier 2

Resmed Activa LT size small mask

I've been doing more research and I think that the chamber I have is not dishwasher safe.  However, I think there may be a different kind of chamber that I can get that is dishwasher safe and is able to be taken apart.  I will be researching further and also will call to ask questions.  I'd rather have one that can be taken apart so I can clean it better.....seems logical to me, so I really do hope my machine has that kind of chamber available.

kristinhope79 wrote:

Well, I've been using my machine since August 17th and I thought I was doing everything right, but apparently I wasn't?  I haven't been emptying out my tank every night, and this week the water in my tank lasted 4 nights.  Last night I went to go swish it out and refill it, and I think mold has grown inside of it.  :(

So, my question is, since I usually clean my machine with just baby shampoo, this time I'm going to clean it with the vinegar solution suggested with the paperwork I got.  Do you think this is sufficient enough to clean out the probable mold in my tank?

I feel really dumb.  lol :)

I was told the vinegar will dry out the plastic tank and hose and it will crack over time.  I usually like to soak the tank and hose and mask in warm soapy water.  I just use dish soap.  If I haven't use distilled water as recommended I may pour a small amount of vinegar on it.  It removes the hard water mineral build up nicely.   I try  to use fresh water in the tank nightly and clean all of it at least once a week.  So far, so good.  Good questions, good luck.


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REMstarplus, M Series with C-flex and heated humidification
C- Pap setting of 10
ResMed Mirage Quatro full face Mask
Sleep study showed 36 events per hour
Location, Nebraska

   OH MY GOD !!!!!!!   I came to this foram to see if anyone had experanced the same smell from their humidifier as I have.  It smells sort of like plastic but not exactly.  I have been using it for about 3 years and the smell has just lately
showed up.  It is in my nose and won't go away.  Every breath I take, I can smell it.  After reading the posts on mold I just realized that you are supposed to clean the baffle daily.  I HAVE NEVER CLEANED THE BAFFLE !!!!!   OMG
I have always used distilled water and look for anything like mold every time I fill it up.  It has always looked clean and clear as can be, so I thought it was doing ok.  Furthermore, I didn't know you could take it apart.  I guess if I had just
READ THE D___ INSTRUCTIONS I would not be typing this.  I really don't know if it's mold I'm smelling (since the baffle looked clean and clear) or the plastic from the baffle.  After cleaning it with soap and water, rinseing it in 180 deg. water, the baffle still smells like the smell I retain in my nose.  It doesn't smell like mold (assuming all mold smells moldy).  Even the outside of the baffle has the smell.  That's why I'm hopeful it's the plastic and not some sort of invisable mold.  I have
also been clearing my throat more than normal.  Has anyone experienced anything like this?
Ted

In this litigious society we live in, the manufacturers of the equipment must be very careful what he tells you regarding the maintenance of your equipment and what you should use to clean your equipment.  I'm drawn to posts like these because I rarely clean my tank, hoses or pillow mask.  Airborne yeasts and molds easily get around the simple air filter on the intake of your machine.  I use distilled water only in my tank, and swish hot tap water around the tank between refills.  Dispite that, I develop a scum on the inside surface of the tank after several weeks of use.  Cleaning and soaking with vinegar is in my opinion a safe, "homespun" recommendation. After all we put it on our salads for gosh sake!   In reality, it's at best a poor cleanser and disinfectant.  To get my tank completely free of mold and scum and keep it free for at least a little while, I use chlorine bleach.  Now before I get admonished for telling you what I use, let me explain.  Chlorine is a gas.  It disperses very easily and doesn't get absorbed into the plastic as users here mistakenly believe.  I give my tank a good 2 hour soak  in Chlorox or even Tilex Bathroom Mold and Mildew remover.  There are no soaps or surfacants in Chlorox, merely chlorine disolved in water.  I follow up with a hot, thorough rinse and refill with distilled water and retire for the evening.  There is no chlorine ordor remaining.  This works for me.  I'm not recommending this to you.  I'm just telling you what I do!


_________________
My life was restarted on June 29th, 2007

59 yr. male
pre-CPAP apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 64
ResMed S8 Escape w/humidifier
ResMed Mirage Swift II nasal pillows system
Prescribed for a 6 but I like to fool with things, and prefer 7