what is the best way to clean your masks ect.? How often and with what?

To be perfectly honest, its probably better to replace them.

The mouthpiece can be rinsed with water.  You probably dont want to put any chemicals or anything else on the other plastic parts.  The plastic will absorb them and then be oxidized.

I just wash mine like I would my dishes.  Hot/warm water and dish washing soap.

The cheap, disposable ones, as BMonee says, are easier just to replace, but if you have the O2PTIMASK^TM or ClusterMasx^TM, cleaning is worth while.

As far as how often?  I just do it, once it starts to get groddy looking.  It depends on how much saliva and boogers get caught in it.

Chuck

I clean mine with antiseptic wipes.

Ellick

"As far as how often?  I just do it, once it starts to get groddy looking.  It depends on how much saliva and boogers get caught in it.

Chuck "

Wow!! Chuck Thanks for the visual!! [smiley=hurl.gif]  And then all jokes aside that is how my wifes mask often looks.  :-[ Thank you for responding.

Chuck....sigh......the man is always good for visuals.......(must stop picturing kilts)...sigh :-[

Joe

I've got a big dog. And the weather's warm.

David

Coleman,

A mild non-irritating/hypoallergenic soap like Johnson & Johnson Baby Shampoo or Nutrogena and warm water works best on the face mask and mouthpiece.  In a pinch you can use a small amount of Joy liquid dish washing soap, but only a little. Be sure to rinse all washed parts completely. If you live in an area with hard water, invest in some distilled water for your final rinse to prevent any buildup of calcium deposits.

I would be cautious about the use of sterile wipes containing ethyl alcohol or benzalconium chloride as these may cause the soft vinyl face mask to age and deteriorate at a faster rate.

The reservoir bag on your non-rebreather mask should remain clean and dry after normal use.  Any collection of moisture inside the reservoir bag indicates a possible defective inlet check valve that's allowing exhaled breath to enter the reservoir bag, or you are using a bubbler/humidifier.  Any such moisture in the reservoir bag will provide a breading media for bacteria so should be avoided.

Many of us have found the use of a humidifier is not necessary and that an occasional sip of cold water will keep your mouth from drying out.  Your lungs will adjust to the dryness of the oxygen after taking the first few breaths of oxygen therapy.

I've found that using a humidifier at flow rates of 15 liters/minute or higher results in an aerosol of water droplets rather than just an increase in water vapor/humidity.  Inhaling water aerosols for more than a few seconds can easily result in mechanical pneumonia.  

If your reservoir bag is contaminated with anything other than moisture replace it.  If you don't have a replacement handy, wash the inside of the reservoir bag with a mild solution of the soap recommended above, then rinse with with water several times.  You'll need to hang the reservoir bag upside down for a few hours to promote drainage and drying.  If you need to use the bag shortly after washing, insert the plastic oxygen tubing into the bag and set your regulator flow rate at a low setting i.e., 5 liters/minute to help dry the inside of the reservoir bag before use.

If you are using one of the older Clustermasx™ or one of the newer O2PTIMASK™ kits, you can carefully remove the check valves from the green "T" manifold and wash them with the same mild soaps above.   The silicone flappers are delicate so be careful how you wash them.  Make sure they are completely dry before reinserting the check valve in the "T" manifold as any moisture between the silicone flapper and valve seat can and will result in the check valve sticking in the closed position.

Cleaning your regulator should be done carefully with a moist paper towel.  Avoid allowing any moisture in cylinder connection area as there are usually pressed metal bead filters there to filter particulate matter.  The same goes for the barb and DISS fittings. Allowing moisture in any of these areas could cause oxidation and clogging of the filter or valving mechanism.

It's always a good idea to give all your oxygen breathing equipment a complete functional check after cleaning.  This will make sure you've reassembled it properly and that all parts are clean and dry before you put it away.  During low cycles, I keep my oxygen mask in a ziploc bag to keep it free of dust and potential contamination.

Hope this helps.

Take care,

V/R, Batch