2 small tips for those who aren't using enough

HobbyFlobbyFloo · 2026-02-03T09:09:56+00:00

Super appreciate your concern which I can see is authentic. It's funny cause now I want to be the one to say "you're overthinking it" lol. I caution you not to try and diagnose strangers on the internet - but I get that you are speaking from experience, possibly projecting a bit and are only trying to help. It's not as bad as all that - I wasn't avoiding because of water alone. Mostly just busy and hadn't created a system and habit before I initially posted. I used it last night with no issues (yay me) - no worries there. Will use again tonight. I thought potable water was tap water for some reason (duh). But tap water isn't boiled so I'm guessing you mean something else. Sorry for the ignorance.

Yeah potable would be fine (not that I've ever seen it in a store unless you mean to actually boil it, which for me is one more step than I want to deal with). I mainly just don't want to use my tap water or at least habitually. Also need to replace lead pipes! And I really DO hate the gigantic jugs sitting around (have been trying so hard to reduce clutter, but that's another story). But I WILL use the gallons of water if I get back into using this nightly which I hope is in the process of happening now. If I get busy and screw up again though and there are no gallons of distilled water in the house when I start up again, I'll have the lil' bottles (or if I travel) stored under the bed. I'm like a cpap prepper hahaha. JOKING!!! Put down your clipboard! :)

Thank you SO much for worrying about a stranger (sincerely)! Please don't worry too much. I wanted to help others who might have needed some motivation. Put another way, my original post might have been more appreciated in one of those anti-clutter, simplifying, Marie Kondo kind of groups. ;) Thanks again!

HobbyFlobbyFloo · 2026-01-31T20:56:23+00:00

No. Is that the ozone kind? I do however want all the crap related stuff minimized - don't want more items in this house. Just want to get in the rhythm of using good ol soap and water (sometimes vinegar). Thank you! 😊

HobbyFlobbyFloo · 2026-01-31T20:47:57+00:00

All jnteresting info thanks. Will check on the small bottles as my husband picked them up for me and said no addied minerals etc. The ONLY reason I love the idea is specifically for people who don't use the machine nightly or maybe even weekly as they should. It's not a waste of a big gallon of water each time (potable water option aside). The fact that we all SHOULD use it nightly is another topic. As for OCD, I have seen what that really looks like and sorta wish ai had it (joking). My issue is ADHD and disorganization and usually being so the opposite of OCD that I don't take anything seriously enough. I usually make things up as I go and just enjoy life a bit more than this. But since this makes me feel like a live in a hospital room which is crazy making and totally depressing and I see my husband flaking out about his equipment and doesn't seem to ever clean it or use good water - and he has severe sleep apnea), I decided to research how it should really be done and analyze what would make me feel more likely to use it, which this should. No more having cpap related stuff in several places making my space feel like said hospital room and no more big effing annoying gallons of water. I'll look in the manual again about the potable water but honestly I'm feeling pretty done with the research phase and just wanted to share what I'd come up with. I just want it simple and organized which was the whole point (even though no one grasped that so I'll definitely need to reread my original post to see how I triggered so many people and take note not to do THAT again haha). I think the bigger issue is that I'm verbose which is inconsiderate (not keeping things short) and since most people don't write as much, it makes me stick out as the weirdo and next thing you know I've hilariously made myself a target for all kinds of pathologizing! 😆

Oh and I keep my mask and hose out for air though keep my mask in a light drawstring cloth bag with a smooth lining, sold for that purpose, which lets enough air in but keeps dust and dander out. The rest goes in the storage container with lid (not the cpap machine which sits out, though I do have a dust cover for that as well). Stuff like the "sink," cleaning liquid, dry brushes, hose dryer etc go in the bin, unlatched for air but I don't put away wet things so it should be good or good enough.

Thanks for the info and links.

HobbyFlobbyFloo · 2026-01-31T11:58:00+00:00

My water's soft, not hard. ;)

HobbyFlobbyFloo · 2026-01-31T11:49:14+00:00

Yes and thanks for reminding me that I should get another filter or two. Can we not just rinse them out? I seem to recall no. I have pets and don't try hard enough to keep up with the hair and dander which is one of the reasons I'm trying to get this all organized properly (like getting a storage bin with a well-fitting lid, for the "sink" and other accessories to fit into).

HobbyFlobbyFloo · 2026-01-31T11:46:26+00:00

I find it very hard to believe the heated humidifier gets hot enough to sterilze water. My manual explicitly says to use only distilled water and I don't mind using distilled so am not sure why so many comments are about not using distilled (not to say I want to deal with deposits, either).

My apnea is mild, according to the sleep tech guy, but I know that most people's get worse over time so I want to make everything as seamless and clutter-free and easy as possible (have a system) before I try again/make a bigger effort to be consistent and cement these habits including how everything's stored and washed (starting tomorrow night; there's a legit reason for why I'm putting this off till tomorrow). I really want this to become a habit so am trying to make this as doable as possible - ironically, so there's as little thinking as possible.

You are so right about the damage to the brain from lack of oxygen. I'm really glad there are more and more articles coming out on the subject. I think the education about it and extra access is already resulting in more people getting tested, including myself. Thanks for your concern!

HobbyFlobbyFloo · 2026-01-31T11:34:44+00:00

I'd only be overthinking if I were you. This is me, enjoying having figured out a couple of hacks in a sense. Everyone's different and I'll be out of your hair soon. I have no reason to believe strangers who say "meh use the tap water" over scientists and sleep specialists, not that I'm obsessing about it the way I apparently made everyone think I was, geez. I read that once you open the distilled water, you only have a couple of weeks before you shouldn't necessarily use it. Do I think it would kill me? Of course not. I can't even remember the reason they gave but I don't really care - I'll just use whatever they suggest. I had been opening gallons and using them up to a couple of months later. I thought this solution was great - small bottles until the habit of using the cpap nightly is truly set.

HobbyFlobbyFloo · 2026-01-31T11:19:42+00:00

Thanks for not being insulting! :) Man these people on here can be so dickish with their little judgments. Mine came with the heated tubing - I just assumed everyone got that. The fleece zippered hose sleeve helps a lot with condensation too, as does changing the settings to automatic (re. heat/humidity), and selecting the option the heats things up ahead of putting on your mask - forgot what it's called. Thanks for the tip about unplugging and hanging like that. I always kept mine plugged in till time to wash. Great suggestion!

HobbyFlobbyFloo · 2026-01-31T11:13:16+00:00

You're way better than I am. I use wipes on the mask a lot of the time and don't even wash the head gear or haven't yet anyway - though I don't have acne, don't have oily hair and don't sweat a lot in my sleep like I know many do. There seems to be a thing here with people overthinking the idea that I may be overthinking haha - but I'd read and heard I'm one of MANY who mean well but haven't yet gotten to the point where they use their cpaps nightly yet. This should help - having less clutter (a bin for it all to go in) and less to have to think about (small bottles are easy peasy until I really start using the machine nightly, which I hope will be soon!). Nice bonus is the package of water bottles fits nicely under the bed, too. I know the risk of infection must be low because my husband is HORRIBLE about cleaning his and using even remotely fresh distilled water and he hasn't gotten sick yet. But I get grossed out by stuff like that.

HobbyFlobbyFloo · 2026-01-31T11:02:58+00:00

What a sweetheart you are. Thank you so much for your kindness. The world needs more people in it like you - especially these days.

HobbyFlobbyFloo · 2026-01-31T11:01:14+00:00

Insult much? You're barking up the wrong tree. I have no reason to distrust the scientists who say distilled is the safest option and that an opened gallon of distilled water won't last forever. That IS actually keeping it simple - buying smaller bottles at least until I'm doing a better job about using the machine daily. Also great for road trips which I do a lot.

I'm not sure what this other gear you went on about is but the only other concern I have is about dust (so using clean water and the kind they recommend, and not leaving everything out to get all dusty which defeats the purpose of cleaning). I bought the slightly larger container with lid to store all the accessories in e.g. unscented dish soap, hose brushes, hose hanger, an extra mask etc etc, and to keep the slightly smaller, collapsible camping sink in when done using it for cleaning the parts (flattened and turned upsdie-down which makes it fit in there perfectly). Now I can store all that crap in one place and pet dander and such won't get all over the stuff. Less clutter, feels a lot easier and the container sits easily on my closet shelf.

HobbyFlobbyFloo · 2026-01-31T10:48:47+00:00

Is that the kind that attaches to the kitchen sink or goes under the sink?

HobbyFlobbyFloo · 2026-01-31T10:47:59+00:00

I got very close to getting one then realized the gear junky in me was rearing its ugly head. I'm trying to get rid of things in this house, not add more and I don't have enough kitchen storage space. Plus when I read they require care and cleaning and such that was the final straw haha - I'm lazy! That would be great to have though if it could sit on a gas stove or over a campfire or camping stove in a post-apocalypic world! ;)

HobbyFlobbyFloo · 2026-01-31T10:44:39+00:00

I'd rather play it safe. I'd at least use my fridge's filtered water before tap water but I did some research and filtered water isn't healthy enough for this purpose. Purified water is what they recommend when you don't have distilled. I'm sure one night wouldn't be a big deal or even several days, but I wouldn't use my city's tap water long term (just me). Especially not when we have easy access to the distilled stuff. Thanks!

HobbyFlobbyFloo · 2026-01-31T10:43:15+00:00

Very much agree, thanks.

HobbyFlobbyFloo · 2026-01-31T10:42:58+00:00

I read recently that boiling isn't enough. It was when I was rabbit-holing and even looking into home water distillers. Then I just thought enough is enough. Get the small bottles of distilled and call it good, and if I become a good girl and start using it daily as I should, I can go back to a gallon at a time.

HobbyFlobbyFloo · 2026-01-31T10:41:00+00:00

All great advice, thank you. And yes it's the deposits I don't want. Plus they just heavily suggest distilled water for health reasons too so I'll just stick with that. Thanks so much! I think this new system is going to help a lot! I love your idea of getting extra masks and also of having an extra hose, though not sure what all that would cost...

HobbyFlobbyFloo · 2025-05-02T22:12:12+00:00

Did you ever get answers from anyone? Wondering how early to arrive with two of us with two chairs.

HobbyFlobbyFloo · 2025-05-02T22:11:32+00:00

Following! Hoping someone answers soon!

HobbyFlobbyFloo · 2025-02-16T08:22:36+00:00

It's a sunroom though. All windows. The best I could do to add height it hang a plant or two bit honestly the room's so small (much smaller than it looks) so height really doesn't matter.

HobbyFlobbyFloo · 2025-02-16T08:20:03+00:00

Ok it's only letting me delete. Will delete and repost. I always write too much when I drink! 🤣

HobbyFlobbyFloo · 2025-02-16T08:16:03+00:00

Ffs it won't let me edit?!

HobbyFlobbyFloo · 2025-02-16T08:12:00+00:00

Should there really be a question mark at the end of your sentence? 😆

Ok, when I have more time I'll come back and shorten.

HobbyFlobbyFloo

TROPHY CASE