2025 NTM and Bronchiectasis Patient Family Conference You Tube.

I suspect you will be very glad to own one of these as it's a time and energy saver. I soak in soapy water and pop in the Bololo every 2 days or so where I use distilled water. Usually after a trip/travel I will boil the gear on the stove and then put it in the Bololo dryer.

I’ve been using a Bololo for almost a year. I used it 2x day after soaking in antibacterial Dawn (the green one). I sterilize with distilled water. Once in a while I boil everything.

could you use it once a day instead and put everything used that day in at once? I have two sets of cups and two sets of Aerobika and do saline nebs twice a day.

I've been doing pretty much the equivalent but use the Medela micro steam bags after soaking in dawn. Not sure if I will get the Bololo for home use. Medela bags would be great for travelling.
My dilemma: I now have listened to Dr. Honda's presentation twice and she clearly says that alcohol and 5% white vinegar kill both MAC and MAB after soaking 30 minutes. And Dawn antimicrobial only kills MAC not MAB, after 30-minute soak. For those that don't have MAB in their environment or lungs-this is great! She went on to say that the micro-steam bags and baby bottle sterilizer (like Bololo and 3 or 4 others) "reduces" the NTM. She didn't say "kill". Since my concern is MAB and the reinfection rate for MAB is 50% and it's harder to kill than MAC, I may add a daily step OR just go back to boiling. Another thought is if you rinse the device with tap water after soaking in dawn and if NTMs are in the tap water, the 30-minute soak may be worthless for disinfecting. On the other hand, the Aerobika manufacturer recommends soak in warm sudsy water for only 15 minutes daily and sterilize 1/week. When I was on Arikayce, the manufacturers recommended daily cleaning and disinfection for the pari nebulizer. Their method: rinse with warm water, soak in warm sudsy water for 15 minutes, rinse, and then boil for 5 minutes.

@irenea8
Yes, that is what I do and always use distilled water in the Bololo.
I go ahead and wash the first set in Dawn after using in the morning then, after using the evening set and washing it, I put all in the Bololo and run the cycles. Much easier and I love the drying cycle since I live a humid area.

FYI...did you know
some light fixtures can be replaced with a light and exhaust fan combo? When I bought house here and needed bath exhaust fan (allergic to mold), my electrician told me he could easily switch the ceiling light fixture to the combo and vent thru attic. Hadn't been diagnosed.

@pacathy Thanks. I know about those but had not thought of it. Glad you did.
Barbara

I am very concerned about the DAWN antimicrobial ingredients. See below

I was happy to see slide showing it kills MAC (although not Absessus which 70% ethanol can effect both!)

But I looked up DAW ends antimicrobial ingredient: Chloroxylenol (PCMX)

Then I searched AI ( we know not always trustworthy ) but seems it should be looked into:

❌ Problems for using Dawn antimicrobial with nebulizer equipment / lungs

This product contains:
• Chloroxylenol (PCMX)
• Fragrance (Apple Blossom)
• Detergent surfactants

Even trace residue of the PCMX (and fragrance) can:
• Aerosolize during nebulization
• Irritate bronchial epithelium
• Trigger cough, bronchospasm, or inflammation
• Be especially risky in bronchiectasis / NTM patients

⚠️ PCMX is NOT approved for inhalation exposure
It is approved for skin contact only.

Thoughts ?

@kathyjjb
I thought Dr Honda at the 2025 NJH’s conference slide showed the Bololo and three other others did KILL NTM as there was nothing on the Petri plates afterwards ? and baby bottle of steamers mentioned in other literature, including European studies said the baby bottle steamers they tested does kill NTM.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/journal-of-cystic-fibrosis is one.
Authorship
Kinga Hohenwarter, MD, MBA, Wolfgang

Excerpt
“An evaluation of different steam disinfection protocols for cystic fibrosis “ … “In conclusion,
steam disinfection is a simple, effective and non-time-consuming method for disinfecting nebulizer or airway clearance devices.
This method disinfects nebulizer parts perfectly. “

@vgvball My thoughts are that equipment should be rinsed thoroughly after soaking in Dawn.