Cleaning

Clean the CPAP with the SoClean system every day. Set the SoClean timer to clean when you are not in the bedroom. As long as you periodically replace the reservoir hose and mask, and always use distilled water, you probably don't need to ever clean anything with soap and water. Warning: if you get nasal infections you may need to clean the CPAP reservoir, hose, and mask with soap and water occasionally, in addition to using the SoClean.

Usage

If you never get a dry mouth using the CPAP, you can disconnect the humidifier from most CPAPs, and just use the rest.  If you get a dry mouth using CPAP, use the CPAP humidifier. Always use distilled water. You may need to increase the humidity setting in the CPAP. If you increase the setting too much, water will collect in the tube. Keep the previous reservoir and hose when you replace them. (More on this later.)  Before you close the CPAP humidifier lid, make sure the rubber tube from the SoClean enters the hole in the reservoir. Where the tube enters the reservoir depends on your equipment.

When you get out of bed, empty the CPAP reservoir into a container, put the mask in the SoClean, and close the lid.

It's safer to remove the reservoir from the SoClean before filling it.  Always fill the reservoir to the fill line. Use a flashlight from the side to illuminate the top surface of the water as you fill the reservoir.

Before you go to bed, refill the reservoir from the container, add additional distilled water as needed. Press CPAP button three times to flush.

Replace the CPAP parts, including the air filter, as recommended. Schedule the replacements to use up the replacement parts during the interval between replacement parts shipments.

Traveling

Empty the reservoir before traveling.  For short (1-2 day) trips, disconnect the rubber hose between the check valve and the SoClean at either end, then leave the SoClean at home.  For longer trips, take the SoClean with you.  Depending on the length of the trip, and how you are traveling, take distilled water in drinking water bottles, or in gallon bottles.

Solving problems

Strong ozone smell in room after cleaning. Make sure you replace the SoClean filter and check valve as recommended.  (Best to stay out or bedrtoom for a couple of hours after SoClean runs.)

Remaining smell in mask after three flushes. You probably had water in the CPAP during cleaning. Either flush four more times or replace all the water and flush three times.

Bad smell after using CPAP with empty reservoir. Discard the water in the reservoir.  If you don't have the previous reservoir and hose, you can try washing with soap and water, filling, then flushing as needed. The easiest solution is to use the previous reservoir and hose, fill the reservoir with fresh distilled water, and flush three times. To prevent this from happening, always fill reservoir to top before using CPAP.

Power failure caused clock and timer to reset. Reset the timer and clock, press the manual clean button. If you screw up the button sequence, open and close the SoClean lid to reset. If you get frequent power failures, you can plug the CPAP into a small UPS (uninterruptible power supply).

Mask is uncomfortable. Periodically loosen the mask straps, then tighten them just enough to prevent leaking.

CPAP seems to run too much. Adjust mask. Make sure hose elbow is fully inserted into mask.

Dry mouth after using CPAP. Increase the CPAP humidity setting. if water collects r in the tube, increase the air temperature setting.

Water in CPAP tube or mask. Increase air temperature setting, or reduce humidity setting.

CPAP lid pops open.  As a CPAP ages, you'll have to press the lid harder to lock it.  When it pops open, make sure the rubber hose from SoClean enters the reservoir properly, then close the lid firmly, then press the start/stop button to restart the CPAP.

If you follow these suggestions, using the CPAP is pretty easy.