neb cleaning

[anonymous]

First, be sure to ask for more every time you're at the CF clinic or the Pediatrician; they're pretty cheap if you buy them, but free is better; likewise the hoses since they can't really be cleaned. As for cleaning, we use the Pari-LC exclusively: we soak them in soapy water for about 10-30 minutes to which a small amount of bleach is added then use a small brush to scrub them; after washing and rinsing we microwave them for 4 minutes in a Avent microwave sterilizer in a 1500w microwave on high. I found results of a study someone did to test the use of microwaves to sterilize hospital equipment and the results showed that pseudomonas a. were killed in less than 4 minutes with a typical microwave and pretty much all the other bugs died earlier so I feel pretty good about this (but note that the CF Foundation advises 5 minutes in a microwave). I shake out the excess water droplets and air dry the nebs afterwards then store them in a tupperware container until they're used. The disposable nebs might not survive the microwave - I melted the ones I had that we got at the hospital so stopped using them. We've also used the boiling method (5 minutes) but our water is pretty hard so I started to wonder if I was depositing as much mineral junk on the neb. as on the pan.

 

[anonymous]

First, be sure to ask for more every time you're at the CF clinic or the Pediatrician; they're pretty cheap if you buy them, but free is better; likewise the hoses since they can't really be cleaned. As for cleaning, we use the Pari-LC exclusively: we soak them in soapy water for about 10-30 minutes to which a small amount of bleach is added then use a small brush to scrub them; after washing and rinsing we microwave them for 4 minutes in a Avent microwave sterilizer in a 1500w microwave on high. I found results of a study someone did to test the use of microwaves to sterilize hospital equipment and the results showed that pseudomonas a. were killed in less than 4 minutes with a typical microwave and pretty much all the other bugs died earlier so I feel pretty good about this (but note that the CF Foundation advises 5 minutes in a microwave). I shake out the excess water droplets and air dry the nebs afterwards then store them in a tupperware container until they're used. The disposable nebs might not survive the microwave - I melted the ones I had that we got at the hospital so stopped using them. We've also used the boiling method (5 minutes) but our water is pretty hard so I started to wonder if I was depositing as much mineral junk on the neb. as on the pan.

 

[Faust]

Loulou is right. Avoid using those methods for neb cleaning. I don't think you need to go as far as she does though, cause all you need to do is (as long as your tap water isn't straight from a nuclear power waste discharge source) boil them with a strong rolling boil for like 30 mins, then let them air dry on some paper towels. If you are using tap water to rinse your stuff that is a very bad thing, or atleast potentially a very bad thing.

 

[Faust]

Loulou is right. Avoid using those methods for neb cleaning. I don't think you need to go as far as she does though, cause all you need to do is (as long as your tap water isn't straight from a nuclear power waste discharge source) boil them with a strong rolling boil for like 30 mins, then let them air dry on some paper towels. If you are using tap water to rinse your stuff that is a very bad thing, or atleast potentially a very bad thing.

 

[anonymous]

We have a softener, but once in awhile we forget to fill it and our water gets really really hard without it. Then if the nebs get mineral buildup -- I soak in vinegar for a little science project -- then wash in soapy water and boil for 10 minutes. Let air dry next to the sink. I have found out at the lake or more humid areas, NOT to put them away in a plastic back or tupperware container even when I'm positive they're dry 'cuz I've found mold on them the next time I've returned to use them -- those are for nebs we keep at our lake home. So I boil, set on the counter and put a paper towel over them instead of storing them away in the dark.

 

[anonymous]

We have a softener, but once in awhile we forget to fill it and our water gets really really hard without it. Then if the nebs get mineral buildup -- I soak in vinegar for a little science project -- then wash in soapy water and boil for 10 minutes. Let air dry next to the sink. I have found out at the lake or more humid areas, NOT to put them away in a plastic back or tupperware container even when I'm positive they're dry 'cuz I've found mold on them the next time I've returned to use them -- those are for nebs we keep at our lake home. So I boil, set on the counter and put a paper towel over them instead of storing them away in the dark.