I am looking for suggestions from other CPAP users regarding the weekly cleaning.  Has anyone discovered a good container (other than the sink) to soak the hoses in?  Any other cleaning advice that other users would offer? Thank you.

For cleaning my hoses and mask, I've successfully used two things:
- a plastic rectangular basin for hospital patient washing, and
- a 3 qt Rubbermaid mixing bowl.
In either case, about 8 cups of fluid will submerge the hoses and mask.

I don't have a really great container for soaking my humidifier (a Respironics passover humidifier) in a vinegar-water mixture.  I've used a baking pan that's larger than a 9x13, and it holds one piece of the humidifier at a time - but it's easy to spill it.  I've also tried filling up the assembled humidifier with the vinegar-water solution; it's neater and uses less than 2 quarts, but I suspect it doesn't access all areas.

A sink will work, but you want the sink cleaner than a usual residential sink; that's why I don't use one.

Use Ivory dishwashing liquid to wash your mask and hose.  Don't put any kind of soap in the humidifier.  Just dump it out and use vinegar once in a while to get rid of any kind of calcium buildup.  Put a little dishwashing liquid in one end of the hose and take it into the shower/bathtub with you.  Run water from the soap end to clean it out.  There is no need to soak the hose or mask.  Hang the hose over a towel rack or shower curtain rod to dry.

Making it as Simple and effective as Possible Vicki

This is not a cleaning tip per se but can help you avoid the calcium buildup Vicki mentioned.

Use only distilled water in the humidifier.   Pennies a gallon; available at grocery stores.  Wish a car could run on it!!  I simply add distilled water using a funnel and not even removing the humidifier chamber.  I rarely dump the unused water out; I just keep adding distilled water as needed.  The chamber (and water) stays crystal clear.

I do exactly what Rested Gal does. Its easy as pie and works great.

rested gal wrote:

This is not a cleaning tip per se but can help you avoid the calcium buildup Vicki mentioned.

Use only distilled water in the humidifier.   Pennies a gallon; available at grocery stores.  Wish a car could run on it!!  I simply add distilled water using a funnel and not even removing the humidifier chamber.  I rarely dump the unused water out; I just keep adding distilled water as needed.  The chamber (and water) stays crystal clear.

To each her own, but according to my respiratory technician/nurse the distilled water should be completely changed every day to avoid the buildup of bacteria.  Of course, if you're not having any problems with this practice, I would agree that it's less of a hassle.