I was curious about the best way to clean a mask?    Is it okay to use alcohol on it?  I've been just wiping it out with a damp cloth but feel like it could use a little disinfecting.

Thanks, as always, for your help.

The problem with rubbing alcohol is that it kills ALMOST everything, not everything.  This can actually make things worse, because you're killing off weak bacteria, and letting the strong stuff live.  I remember reading an article about how cleaning your kitchen counters with alcohol can end up growing really nasty bacteria on it in the long run.  I would go for chlorine free bleach (really strong hydrogen peroxide) and maybe a couple times a year switch it up with some regular bleach or some brewing sanitizer like star-san--just to make sure if something is living through one sanitizer, it can't get hold.   Another thing you can do to help prevent problems would be to keep your mask in a tupperware with some silica gel after you wash it so that moisture is quickly gone and bacteria doesn't have a chance to start.

For what it's worth, here's what I do:

I use the mouthpiece, never the mask.

I only inhale through the mouthpiece, never exhale.

I wash the mouthpiece in soapy water.

I've never had to clean the guts of the valve assembly by doing it this way. I suppose you could take the same approach using the mask by never exhaling through it. Lift it away when you exhale.

Warm soapy water......disassemble, soak, rinse and air dry......

I use anti bacterial wipes -yhats what the oxygen delivery guy said to use also he said to use a new mask every 6 months.

Quote:

also he said to use a new mask every 6 months.

Not if you buy an O₂ptimask at the ch.com store. I've had all three of mine for over two years now.

Of course, I haven't had to use any of them for quite some time now.