Sanitizing Nebulizer Equipment

I’ve read that distilled water isn’t necessarily sterile. It just has fewer minerals?

@sarahlynn1960 The water itself should be sterile because the process is boiling water until it turns to steam then cooling it again to condense it. We don't know the status of the containers though and since they aren't labeled sterile, can't count on it. I figure they're quite clean though and rinse sinuses with it. I only boil the water and cool it after it's been open couple days. I'm curious what others do about sinus flush.

@sarahlynn1960 That is my understanding. Somewhere along the way I read that using distilled water in BBS (baby bottle sterilizer) was ok as the water is boiled during the sterilizing process. This is what I use in my BBS.

@scoop I have heard that having mineral build up on equipment from boiling in undistorted water can cause lung damage. Do you happen to have any Intel on that? 🙏

@narelled23 No intel on that! I am aware, however, that people in hard water areas routinely soak their equipment in vinegar to remove mineral deposits. Guess this is another reason that nebulizer handsets be replaced regularly.

Things go in and out of our lungs with every breath. Not everything we breathe in makes trouble for us. It's repeated exposure, I believe, that causes trouble. Like sitting around a bonfire night after night after night, or habitual smoking, digging in the dirt repeatedly, or daily hot steamy showers, to name a few.

@pacathy For sinus rinses I use previously boiled tap water, which has been boiled for 10 minutes, even though NeilMed info says to boil for 5 minutes.

@scoop My brother does that and mixes the salts as his doc advised. I know theoretically it should be fine, but I'm still hesitant to use it. I live in Philly where the pipes are ancient and the water is hard. I just need to get filters put in.

@pacathy
Do I understand you correctly that you do not use previously boiled tapwater for sinus rinse? If so, what do you use instead?

Hi.
I'm a ECMO Specialist/Registered Respiratory Therapist retired after 35 years in healthcare.
And I have chronic Asthma and Bronchiectasis. (never smoked)

I clean my Nebs after treatment with soap and water if I'm doing Q4 and let them air dry on a towel. And for a really good clean use 1:3 white vinegar(1) to water(3) 30 mins soak Q12. Also use a dishwasher.
69 years old and still alive.