CPAP product reviews and other helpful tips for CPAP users!

Just like a really nice leather jacket, you spent a lot of money on, CPAP masks also require a certain level of care.  You wouldn't just throw that jacket in the wash, would you?  CPAP masks wouldn't survive the spin cycle either.  There are specific care instructions you have to follow to make sure you get the most life out of your CPAP mask.   Most are made from silicone - which makes them comfortable but also incredibly delicate, so here are some tips to keep your CPAP mask squeaky clean and lasting longer.

Dos

• Clean your mask in the morning, right after waking up.  This ensures enough time for your equipment to completely air dry during the day and be ready to go before bed. 
• Let your CPAP mask air dry on a clean cloth - away from direct sunlight (that stuff will deteriorate silicone).
• Wash your face and avoid heavy moisturizers prior to wearing your CPAP mask. Oils from our face and heavy moisturizers can decrease the lifespan of the mask's silicone. 
• Soak and wash your CPAP frame and cushion with unscented mild soapy warm water and rinse thoroughly by hand. This process ensures the removal of skin debris and oils which overtime can breakdown the silicone. 
• Headgear can be hand washed weekly (air dry that, too).
• For a deeper clean, soak your CPAP mask with 1 part vinegar and 3 parts water and a thorough rinse every few weeks. 
• Use CPAP-specific wipes for a timesaving swift clean or during travel for a few days, but resume washing with soap and water as soon as possible. 
• Inspect your mask and replace parts every 1-3 months or when you see discolouration or detect an odour. This is a sure sign your silicone has expired. CPAP experts recommend replacing your entire mask every 6 months to maximize your therapy's efficacy.  
• CPAP sanitizers, like the SoClean or Lumin, are great for killing germs but do not replace washing. Sanitizers alone, won't keep your mask in tip-top shape.  

Don'ts

• Avoid using liquid soaps with heavy perfumes. These chemicals will surely speed up the deterioration of the silicone. 
• Avoid using scented baby wipes on your CPAP mask. Use CPAP mask cleansing wipes to avoid any perfume, dye or added ingredients like moisturizers that'll leave residue on your equipment.
• Do not machine wash your headgear or chin straps! Wash as needed by hand with warm unscented soapy water, then rinse thoroughly and let them air dry. 
• Bleach or other harsh chemicals will not get rid of the discolouration on your CPAP mask.  But they will ruin it. 
• Hastily ripping off your mask in the morning when the alarm sounds should also be avoided! This aggressive behaviour will prematurely stretch out your headgear and increases the risks of ripping your silicone. 

Though it seems silly we had to mention some of these tips, but you'll be surprised to hear the way some people clean their masks if proper care instructions are not outlined. Follow these simple but crucial mask cleaning tips and you'll see a difference in your mask's longevity and your overall therapy. 

Buying the perfect CPAP mask isn’t easy. A lot of times, you might think you’ve picked the right one, then you take it home and find it sucks. It happens. More often than you think, actually. Masks are made to fit the average face, but that doesn’t mean they’re always a perfect fit. But with a little bit of research and some insider information, not only can you find yourself the best fitting mask, you might be able to return that ill-fitting one you can’t bear to wear another night.

 Do plenty of research

There are 3 general styles of CPAP mask. Which style mask did you get? Nasal pillow? Nasal mask? Full face mask? Each one of them caters to a specific type of sleep position and facial structure. So, for example, if you’re a side or stomach sleeper, you probably won’t be too comfortable in a full face mask. If you haven’t already, click here for a description of the different styles of masks.

Go back to your CPAP store/provider 

Armed with some knowledge and a list of questions you now have, go back to your CPAP provider and ask to see if they can exchange it for you. Make sure you follow each CPAP vendor’s exchange policy as they all have various timeframes for exchanges (standard is about a month). Be prepared: some sellers won’t take it back if the mask has been used or the packaging has been opened. (But between us, if you make a good enough case, they might bend that rule. Just remember to be polite and not lose your cool).

Ask a lot of questions

This is a major purchase. If you’re the kind of shopper that asks a million questions about the cheese you’re about to buy, why wouldn’t you be extra curious about something you’ll be wearing for a third of your life?! Ask which mask style is best for your sleeping position, and ask to try on a bunch of them before you decide. Wear it for a while. Try lying down with it. Does it smush your face? How does it compare to other masks? A lot of people expect to try on a mask and have it fit like an old pair of slippers - this will likely never happen. What you’re looking for is a mask that feels the most comfortable to you compared to other masks. Remember: CPAP masks are made to be as unobtrusive as possible, but that doesn’t mean they’re fun to wear.

Does the clinician know what they're talking about?

A good CPAP Clinician is a God-send! These people are professionals, but a good, patient one is a keeper. A knowledgeable clinician can tell you all the pros and cons of any given masks and let you try them on and test them out.

Returns & exchanges

It's important to note, if you’re buying your mask online, KNOW WHAT YOU WANT BEFORE YOU ORDER. Online stores can offer deep discounts - especially on masks. But a lot of them don’t accept returns or exchanges. You want to shop online for a deal - when you already know which mask is best for you, or if you’re replacing a mask that you’ve already used and love.

Get loads of recommendations 

If you have friends and family who are on CPAP, ask them what they like. There’s nothing better than asking someone who’s already gone through the process and learned a thing or two. Look into that recommendation while you shop and see if those masks are right for you. The process can take a bit of work, but anything good in life requires some heavy lifting. Just know that at the end of the process, you've learned so much more about CPAP masks and more importantly you'll be much more successful with therapy and sleeping.

Educate yourself

There is a wealth of information online waiting to be tapped. Read reviews on CPAP blogs and forums where people share their experience based on their own differences: machine pressure, if they have facial hair, have a big nose or sleep on their sides. Watch YouTube videos on product and user reviews that can guide you in making the right selection. Once you know which style may work for you, you can narrow down your search. We recommend looking for newer masks compared to ones that may be out for a couple of years. Technology is improving masks by the day and the newer ones are being designed with better materials that fix a lot of comfort and performance issues.

And when you find something that works - stick it with! Consider buying one or two back-ups. Because you never know when a mask will be discontinued. Sleep tight!