I usually don't have to use the water attachment on my C.P.A.P. machine. So I remove it. I guess that I am lucky not to need to use water for the humidity.
Distilled water is good to use. You could probably do what others have suggested and buy the gallon of distilled water online when you arrive.
I would also be okay with using tap water or bottled water temporarily while without distilled water on vacation.
I lot of areas sometimes have to boil their home water whenever their county or city pumping is damaged and being repaired.
At the Pop Century Resort food court, they have a boiled water tap near the coffee that folks use to make their own tea, etc and that can also be used. It would be the next best thing to distilled water.
The following is what I used to teach patients when training them to use their new C.P.A.P. machines. It is just an opinion. Some patients that have been using their machines for decades ask if they can still use their old way of cleaning. They usually tell me their process and I usually say that is fine. After all, they have been doing it for decades and they have their own routine of doing things.
And just to let you know, this is only my opinion. Just keep cleaning your C.P.A.P. equipment like you always have. The main thing is that you are keeping it clean.
Remember, whatever is humidified in the C.P.A.P. container goes into your lungs as very small particles.
But I have had a very, very few patients bring their old C.P.A.P. machines in for repair and I can tell that they have "never" cleaned their masks nor machine.
Their mask may have been covered in stains of pink and green and tan. Just nasty.
Sometimes the pink color is from Serratia Marcescens. It is a species of rod-shaped Gram-negative bacteria in the family Enterobacteriaceae. Serratia Marcescens is considered a harmful human pathogen which has been known to cause pneumonia. Serratia bacteria also have many antibiotic resistance properties which may become important if the incidence of Serratia infections dramatically increases.
Sometimes the green color is from Pseudomonas bacteria tend to live and breed in water, and damp areas. The warmer and wetter it is, the better the conditions are for the bacteria to multiply causing Pneumonia, coughing, and congestion.
And I am talking about folks that have never cleaned their masks, hose, or water chamber.
The majority of folks don't have to worry about this.
A shower or bath is a great way to start your day. But a refreshing dip and a good hygiene routine are just as important for your C.P.A.P. as it is for you.
Proper upkeep of your CPAP machine can help ensure the device functions properly. It is vitally important to keep everything as clean as possible, as hoses/tubing and masks can be a prime breeding ground for bacteria and mold.
The thorough cleaning of your CPAP machine can be divided into daily and weekly cleaning, she said.
Get in the habit of wiping down your mask (including areas that come in contact with your skin) using a damp towel with mild detergent and warm water. This will remove any oils, dead skin cells and sweat on the mask that can affect the quality of the seal. Gently rinse with a clean towel and let the mask air-dry.
If your C.P.A.P. unit has a humidifier, empty any leftover water instead of letting it sit in the unit all day and then leave the lid open to air dry. Bacteria loves inclosed wet areas versus open and dry areas.
Refill the humidifier with clean, distilled water right before bedtime for optimal use.
If you’ve been sick, it’s smart to wash your mask, tubing, humidifier, and filter daily until your cold, flu or virus symptoms are gone. That can help reduce the amount of time you spend under the weather.
Your mask and tubing need a full bath once a week to keep it free of dust, bacteria, and germs.
Clean the C.P.A.P. tubing, nasal mask, and headgear in a bathroom sink filled with warm water and a few drops of ammonia-free, mild dish detergent. Swirl all parts around for about five minutes, rinse well and let air dry during the day. Hang the tubing over the shower rod, on a towel rack or in the laundry room to ensure all the water drips out.
The mask and headgear can be air-dried on a towel or hung on a hook or hanger.
You should also wipe down your CPAP machine with a damp cloth. The towel shouldn’t be too damp or wet, as water could get into the machine.
Clean the washable filter by removing it and rinsing it in warm tap water. Squeeze it under the water and squeeze to make sure there is no dust. Then blot down the filter with a towel. Some air filters are not washable and you can just put a new one in when it gets dirty or try to wipe the accumulated dust.
But don’t wash your machine’s disposable white filter, if one is present; those are disposable and should be replaced once a month.J just like your house filters, if the white filter is dirty, it should be replaced sooner than once a month.
If your C.P.A.P. has a humidifier, that also needs to be cleaned weekly.
Empty any remaining water and then wash the water chamber in the sink with warm soapy water. Rinse well and drain out as much of the water as possible. Let the chamber air-dry in an open position before placing it back into the CPAP unit.
Every other week you should disinfect the humidifier. Do that by soaking it in a solution of one part vinegar to five parts water for 30 minutes, thoroughly rinsing and then placing in your dishwasher’s top rack for washing. And keep it clean by using only distilled water to prevent mineral deposits that can build up and cause damage to your machine.
With a little upkeep, your CPAP can continue to help you breathe better for a long time. Just a few minutes a day can help keep your CPAP running efficiently for years to come.
Every patient is sometimes taught a different way to clean their C.P.A.P. equipment and that is okay. Some folks still use the same instructions from twenty years ago when they received their very first machine. And that is okay.
This is just a more updated way of cleaning your C.P.A.P. equipment.
I am a retired Registered Respiratory Therapist now, but I still have my credentials.
What am I doing standing on this soap box??? Too much caffiene for me!
.