maintaining bipap cleanliness

[rose]

I know many use the vinegar and water to soak, but I have a friend who is a nurse and insisted that using "Control III" disinfectant germicide was cheaper to use than the vinegar, and safe for equipment. She explained how to use this method:

I buy the concentrated disinfectant (16 oz bottle) ... mix 1 ounce to a gallon of water. Keep that solution in a covered bucket. It will keep 14 days, and is re-usable. After mixing, I put part of the solution into a little spray bottle. I keep a second small spray bottle filled with water and just a few drops of dishwashing liquid.

Every morning, I dump out the leftover water in reservoir for the humidifier, spritz it with the soapy water, do the same with the mask, rinse them off with running water, spritz them with the disinfectant solution (it has to sit 10 min to completely kill all germs, so depending on how busy things are, I either let them sit for that long, or just rinse again) They probably don't even need this step, but its easy, so I do it.

Once a week I include the hose with all other parts that get washed. I spritz with soapy water, rinse, and then immerse everything in the bucket of solution for 10 minutes. (Which is less time than the vinegar takes)

Take them out, rinse rinse rinse, and hang the hose over the curtain rod in front of an open window. I've read where others turn on their machine to dry the hose, but my machine won't run unless its connected to a mask on my face, if there is no resistance to air pressure, it cuts off again. There may be a way to remove this feature from my machine, but, hanging in front of open window, or outside, works well enough.

We all know the washing hose is a hassle, but, at least that's only once a week. Having two hoses would make things even easier.

After 14 days have passed, I dump out the bucket after I'm done soaking. (I think it probably could be stretched to last longer, as we don't have to have our equipment sterile.)

Although it took a lot of typing to put this all down, its actually a very simple process for daily maintenance. Having the two spray bottles filled and ready for use is the best part.

[BethU]

Good Lord, I've just been wiping my mask out every day and washing the little filter. (I guess smog is no longer considered a disinfectant?)
I will mend my slovenly ways before I die of germy inhalations. Great info, thanks!


Speechless in LA

[mango]

I need to look up what a Bipap is, but I'm scared.

This info will be very helpful.

[sharonca]

WOW. My husband rinses out the humidifier tank every day. Blows out the hose and only lets the mask dry out. Am I going to have a problem? He does it all. I could ask my care givers to wash it out.

Sharonca

[BethU]

Mango, the BiPap is a breathing apparatus that is worn mostly at night to give your diaphragm a rest. The lungs are not muscles like the heart: it is the diaphragm that controls breathing by moving the lungs and the breath in and out. The diaphragm is one of the muscles that is affected by ALS, and it's important to keep it working as long as possible.

The BiPap is basically just a little air pump, but it times itself to your own normal breathing and moves air into and out of your lungs, thus allowing your diaphragm to rest for several hours at night.

There's nothing to be scared about with the BiPap. I was S*U*R*E I was going to hate wearing the mask at night, and planned to resist it as long as I could, but when I tried it, I found it rather soothing and found it doesn't interfere with my sleep at all. (Well, mostly. Sometimes it will shift in the night and wake me up.)

It's one of the really helpful devices (like the feeding tube) that keep us functioning longer, make our lives more comfortable and prolong our survival.

[rose]

See.... this is how spotty information is for us!

I expected people to jump in and say how they felt the vinegar was just fine to soak their hose in (which it is)....

The thing about the humidifier, is it has the same hazards as a room humidifier as far as growing stuff in it. Plus, its exchanging air from our oral cavity (and all of the bacteria that can flourish there) for several hours a day.

I'd started this thread, just because I'd had to temporarily re-purpose one of my spray bottles, and realized what an aggravation it was to not have in for my quick little a.m. clean up. :) ... then, thought that maybe others hadn't considered The Spray Bottle. ...and I'd become enamored with how quick the disinfectant worked, plus, when using this I didn't have to try to decide how much vinegar was the correct ratio to water....

Bare minimum I think would be to rinse out the water tank with a little mild detergent (like dish liquid) and water every day, and soak the mask and hose once per week. you guys can check with the literature for your appliance and see what it recommends specifically.


After having a few chest infections, not finding them at all pleasurable, I decided taking any other respiratory risks out of the mix was a good thing.

....Now that we're on the subject of germs in the mouth. ... Why doesn't anyone talk about morning breath and the bipap adding to the propensity to get it ???

We're friends here, right? So, I'll go first:

I didn't want the damned vent in the hose blowing my bipap breath all over the room when I slept. Finally, I got that Therabreath brand toothpaste and mouthwash (which I can't "swish" but I can "hold" in my mouth) It seems to really work. They say if you lick the back of your hand, and let the saliva dry, and then sniff your hand, if it doesn't smell, your breath does not smell, and if it does, it does.... so, now I may look and sound like Darth Vader, but in the morning I smell like a "Rose" :lol:

[joelc]

Well, since you were expecting it. ....LOL.

I used vinegar and never had a problem. We cleaned the humidifier, mask and hoses once a week with vinegar.
I used RO water so there was no reason to clean more often. I consider using regular tap water dangerous in the humidifier as it contains many contaminates.

[rose]

Joel, what is RO? is it the same thing as distilled? The few times I've tried to sneak in using tap water due to being out of distilled, it was very drying to me (as well as terrible for the machine)

yes, I agree the vinegar works fine. I've just found this to be easy, and its supposed to be a little less expensive, but as vinegar is not exactly a top shelf price anyway, I think a person would have to use a LOT of vinegar before it would make any sort of impact on their wallet.

BTW, I unhook the hose from the machine each morning to help dispel any built up humidity inside it, but only wash it once a week.

[joelc]

RO stands for Reverse Osmosis. It is almost as good as distiled, but not quite. The good part of RO is you purchase a unit and install it under your sink, then you can use the water for everything like drinking and cooking etc. I is very convenient and you never have to worry about running out of water. Purchasing distilled water can get expensive and can be a nuisance, in my experience.

[rose]

Thanks, did not know ~ see.... we're on the tips tricks and gadgets forum, how appropriate


Yes the distilled water is expensive, not super duper, but it adds up, mainly its a problem of lifting a jug when its full, its too heavy for me now. We've been buying the type that is a keg type dispenser to address the weight, but then that's one more thing setting out on a counter. :-|

[georgia]

Control III Where did you buy it?

hang the hose over the curtain rod in front of an open window

Don't that mess up the hose? Like bend it?

He just got his and he is getting use to it what setting work best and tried another mask. I was wondering how and where to hang the hose and mask.

[joelc]

We hang my hoses over a shower curtain rod in the bathroom and it does not hurt them. We have been doing this for years and have not damaged one hose, we are still using the originals.

[Marjorie R. Wilcox]

Rick doesn't have the humidifier on his Bipap so we don't wash the apparatus very often. When we do, I just sozzle the mask and hose in very warm water and dish detergent, rinse in clear water and hang to dry. There is no chlorine in our water. Rick doesn't catch colds or have any skin reactions and we are still using the original pieces for over 3 years now, one year for the Cpap and then 2 for the Bipap. We wash maybe once a month. We keep the room humidifier unit going in the winter months as we use a woodstove for our heat. Here in the northeast the air itself is humid enough in the other months.

[Tfisher]

What is the vinegar to water ratio?

[brendapals]

wow, I use vinegar and water on everything about once a month. replace the tubing and nasal thing every 6 months, as well as the filter.

Guess I better knock on wood, and go back and read more about cleaning it!

[rose]

The short answer is:
The mixture is one part vinegar to five parts water.

I think that straight vinegar will kill many mold spores, I don't know how effective diluted vinegar is, but it must help keep growth down, and just by virtue of rinsing and washing in hot water regularly would keep down accumulation too.


... so, last night I looked over at the bed, and the cat was sitting on it STARING at my mask. He was statue still, not even the tail moving. This was my clue that he was in touch with his predator instincts where he probably imagines himself just one link away from his "wild" origins LOL I went over to see what it was that HE saw, and there, inside my mask was a little moth crawling around. Can you imagine how much fun that would have been to have not known it was there, and hooked up my mask only to blow an insect up my nose!!!!

P.S. Here is a link I'd saved in my computer. I think its an advertiser, even though its on an adult education/information website. The person who wrote the article went to an extreme level of effort researching microorganisms, more than I ever would. Its not to say some people don't look into things, but I think its probably a "plant" for the disinfectant. Its the same disinfectant/germicide that I use, but maybe there are not that many brands on the market. Regardless of whether its a true educational article, or a sales pitch, those who are interested, can learn more about the product.

http://www.awakeinphilly.org/Equipment/cleaning.shtml

[joelc]

Well, I read the article and will still continue to use vinegar as I have not had any problems. I always find that any institution has to over recommend for safety reasons. It is the same thing as we experienced in the hospital, they have to be extremely careful as there are all kinds of stray germs, so they throw away the catheters after one use. We have used the same one for almost a year with no problem. I am not saying that using this disinfectant is not a good idea, but I still do not think it is necessary unless you have continual problems with infections. Your body is used to the germs, that might be in your home, so the need to overdue sterilizing equipment is not necessary. IMHO.

[rose]

Joel,

I agree, I'd mainly started the thread due to wanting to share my idea of keeping spray bottles filled for quick cleaning. The pre-mixed soapy water simplifies things too.

I was given the disinfectant by my friend, who had cared for her dad, etc. I DO like the convenience of it, and I find myself using the squirt bottle I have it in for other stuff around the house because its handy. And, having the solution ready in the bucket for a couple of weeks running, makes it easier for me to follow through with washing the hose weekly.

For those who already are tempted put off regular weekly maintenance, look for ways to make it simpler and therefore more appealing. Getting it done is the most important thing.

I'm glad you mentioned the RO water, that too, is a way to keep it simple so that we don't slip into using tap water.

I live in the city, not even a block away from a store that sells distilled water, but yet I know what a pain it is when I run out of it. I'd imagine for those in the 'burbs or rural homes would find it easy to start using water out of the tap, so having a RO system would be a good avenue.

[mango]

catheter?

oh man :-(

[rose]

Mango, Joel has a trach. No catheters anywhere with bipaps. If you go look on my profile page, there is a photo of me wearing my mask, and trust me, no invasions with it at all. (not even by moths, if you read my earlier post LOL)

... and I think the "article" I linked us to is a variation of an informercial... or maybe not.

[joelc]

Sorry Mango, Rose is right - I was referring to a suction catheter used to withdraw secretions when you have a trache and vent.

Rose is making a good point about making things convenient so they will get done. If they are not convenient then we tend to ignore them and that is when trouble starts.

[mango]

Oh, thanks you guys :oops: I had a catheter once after a surgery and I was more afraid of getting it than the surgery. Turned out it wasn't that bad, but you know...


Thanks for all this great info. Your experience is really going to help me, and many others I'm sure.

[rose]

Mango, Yeah, guys tend to not like "those" catheters.


.... can you believe, after all of this talk in this thread, we were just at the grocery store, and I FORGOT to buy distilled H2o!

[joelc]

Lol........

[brendapals]

dang it, I thought I was alone in that "short term" memory loss section at the store!:lol::lol::lol::lol:

[rose]

Brenda, no no, never alone in that department. Even a list in hand isn't a guarantee.

[kelly]

Wow.....I have been really lame about cleaning...after reading this..did a full cleaning...my hubby was very very happy! Thanks for all the great advice and the reminder!

[brooksea]

But what about the head strap?

How do y'all clean it??? I've tried laundry detergent in the sink, soaking for about 20 minutes and then rinsing. It still smelled like scalp oils. I've tried a vinegar soak and it ended up smelling like salad dressing. Today I tried soaking it in a sudsy mix of "Spray 'n Wash with Resolve" and water for 30 minutes. After rinsing it has a pleasant smell along with the scalp oil smell.

I am hesitant to put in the washer, for fear of tearing it apart. Wonder if securing it to the top rack of the dishwasher would work to take out the odor?

This may be no big deal to anyone else, but I like things to smell clean. My husband could care less. LOL

[rose]

CJ, How about washing in shampoo, instead of laundry detergent, and then drying in sunshine? Direct sunshine really helps because it kills germs (according to what my mom told me) and just has other abilities that nothing else does. Think about how great sheets smell after hanging out on the line.

Kelly... :)

Joel,

Yes the intent of the thread is about what makes it easy for me, hoping others will jump in with their own thoughts as to what works for them. Something as simple is having supplies to maintain the bipap components close to where the machine physically is kept could even be a big plus. If the machine is upstairs, but the dish liquid is downstairs under the sink, and the vinegar or disinfectant stored even yet another place....

[brooksea]

Thanks for the idea of shampoo!!! Duh! I will try that next time along with the sunshine.

[redneck charger]

Mom had us and the staff of the nursing home washing her mask and equipment each and every use with Ivory soap.. She would have us wash it, dry it, and hang it on her lamp for the next use.. the would have us take apart the tank where you put the distill water, and wash that with ivory soap..and dry.. before each nights sleep..

[hopingforthebest]

Rose, you are making me feel guilty, as I now remember the RT telling me about the vinegar cleaning periodically. I wash with Dawn detergent and rinse really really good. I clean his nasal pillows 3 times a day in dawn as he now needs to eat with mask on as breathing on bipap is a 24/7.

Marjorie, I am surprised your bipap does not have a humidifier for him. Once in a great while I forget to turn the humidifer on and his nose gets so dry.

Anyway, Rose, going to run out and get my vinegar today.

Hope you are doing well. Love reading all the posts and I smile when your pic pops up.

Take care,

Patty ;)

[Leslie G]

Holy moly. Is it too late to comment on this one? I don't think anyone has given us directions for cleaning. All I do for my hubby's is wash the mask/hose and use distilled water. Thanks for the advice! (all over this forums, for that matter)

Leslie

[vw-fl]

My husband uses a full face mask with head strap and heated humidifier.

We wash the head strap in the washing machine by placing it into either a pillow case with the end tied shut or in a bra bag. After washing we hang it to air dry. We do this about once a week - very little stretching.

If you have medicare you are entitled to a new mask, headgear, and tubing every 3 months. Unfortunately, the humidifier chamber you can only get every 6 months.

Although the RT's say to use vinegar the manufacturer says to use a non citrus dish washing soap. We used to use vinegar until we noticed that it was eating the metal of the bottom of the humidifier chamber. We now use Ivory soap.

We wash the mask and humidifer chamber every day. The hose I disconnect daily and hang to dry.

When we get new masks, tubes and humidifier chambers I mark the date recieved with indelible magic marker. We have 4 sets on hand. When we get new equipment I throw the oldest out. This way I can use a different mask and humidifier chamber every night for 4 nights, a different hose once a week, and a different head strap once a week.

I wash the hose once a week and hang it to dry over the shower rail. While that one is drying for the week I use another that is on hand. I dissasemble the masks once a week, soak in warm soapy water, wash, rinse and dry. After the masks are dry then I reassemble all the parts.

12 years into the disease, 7 years on the BiPap at night only :-)

Vicki
husband DX 11/97

[GlenBrittle]

For 7 years , my mask / hose/ humidifier water container every week with hot water and vinegar. Let em soak for a bit. dry them off. let the hose drip dry. This is the routine unless I have a cold , where its cleaned more often.

I use the distilled water in the machine.
I will use a bottled water when away on a trip , but it smells different and leaves a film.

I do not know of ever washing the head-straps , unless the wife washes them during the day.

Works for me.

Glen

[Patsy]

a cleaning procedure procedure that I got from a RT, years ago, below ! However I know of a person who never cleans his system but changes everything but the machine every 6 months, gross !
Patsy


Cleaning of Respiratory Equipment



Daily cleaning: any equipment in contact with the skin, such as face masks should be washed as follows:

 wiped with a soapy cloth
 rinse with clear water
 air dry

Weekly cleaning: any reusable equipment such as ventilator circuitry or tubings should be washed as follows:

• wash in lukewarm water and mild detergent
• rinse thoroughly in lukewarm water
• soak equipment in a solution of 1 cup vinegar to 3 cups of water in a clean container for 30 minutes. Discard all used solutions.
• rinse again in lukewarm water
• hang dry
• once dried store equipment in a plastic bag.

[joelc]

That sounds like what we were told and what we do. We have never had a problem.