Is it okay to microwave nebulizer or in baby bottle sterilizer?

Posted by terryb1 @128128terry11t, May 17, 2017

Was calling some number today to order a few more nebulizers so that if I go away, I won't have to keep cleaning/sterilizing (great suggestion obtained from the forum). I happened to ask the question: "Is it all right to microwave nebulizer in steam bags or in baby bottle sterilizer equipment?" The gal replied an emphatic "no". I was not clever enough to ask why ... suppose plastic might melt or give off something toxic?? Person went on to say that they only recommend boiling (for 5 minutes) or soaking in 1part white vinegar to 3 parts water for at least 30 minutes. I wish that I could find the number that I called but anyone may verify by going on internet and calling a number or live chatting with someone from a reputable nebulizer company. Please advise if you get a different response. Hope that this is helpful.
Terry

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

@katemn

@128128terry11t, Terry, that Rep is total HOOEY! I did inhaled Amikacin for THIRTY months .. sterilizing nebs in a baby sterilizer the ENTIRE time .. it worked perfectly! I spoke to the manufacturer .. he said the reality is that ALL testing has been done with BOILING .. THAT is why they CANNOT recommend a baby bottle sterilizer! That is the ONLY reason .. liability! So again .. Hooey! The sterilizer I used was: The First Years Power of Steam Electric Steam Sterilizer https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B002WN2B6O/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Good luck and Hugs! Katherine

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It is so wonderful to hear from you. Hoping that all is going well for you and that you are on the road to better health. You are the voice of reason and experience. Don't know what we would all do without you.
Be well and thank you as always,
Terry

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@katemn

@128128terry11t, Terry, that Rep is total HOOEY! I did inhaled Amikacin for THIRTY months .. sterilizing nebs in a baby sterilizer the ENTIRE time .. it worked perfectly! I spoke to the manufacturer .. he said the reality is that ALL testing has been done with BOILING .. THAT is why they CANNOT recommend a baby bottle sterilizer! That is the ONLY reason .. liability! So again .. Hooey! The sterilizer I used was: The First Years Power of Steam Electric Steam Sterilizer https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B002WN2B6O/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Good luck and Hugs! Katherine

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Just purchased it from Amazon. I look forward to turning to you if I have any questions about its operation or cleaning. Have two right now: did you use this sterilizer every day or the once a week that is recommended for sterilizing ... and any tips for its use/cleaning before any of us begin?
Thank you as always and you and yours be well,
Terry

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@128128terry11t, Terry, not doing great yet .. but there again I am not yet at the end of my 28 day Tobramycin inhaled antibiotic for the 3 bacteria .. 5 months to go .. I do so miss you all! Hugs to all! Katherine

From my File Cabinet .. personally what I do is:

AEROBIKA AND NEBULIZER -CLEANING
NOTE: because I purchased a large supply of nebs I use the same cleaning method as below for the Aerobika and nebulizers per my File Cabinet.
I can ONLY speak for myself .. I follow the cleaning method on the Aerobika website: https://www.monaghanmed.com/patients-education .. the same one that came with the Aerobika.

1. I use very warm water .. I use a 4 cup plastic measuring cup to wash the various parts .. I like the cup handle as I agitate the parts I am cleaning! Norpro 4-Cup Plastic Measuring Cup https://smile.amazon.com/Norpro-4-Cup-Plastic-Measuring-Cup/dp/B000HJBFFS/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1493589199&sr=8-1&keywords=4+CUP+measure+plastic

I USE THE: The First Years Power of Steam Electric Steam Sterilizer (I remove ONE shelve & make the bottom shelf TALLER to accommodate the tall nebulizer with two other more narrow shelves) https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B002WN2B6O/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I use a bit of antibacterial dish soap. Suds it up .. agitate .. hold the parts and shake them very thoroughly through the sudsy water.

2. Let the parts soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Then several times fill the measuring cup with very warm rinse water .. again agitate the parts thoroughly to make sure they are thoroughly clean of the antibacterial dish soap.

3. I then toss them into the large round center baby sterilizer with the drainage holes at the bottom for storage (that I have removed from the unit) until I am ready to sterilize them all at one time. (This may sound dumb but I store all this equipment in my unused bathtub since I only use my shower!)

4. When I sterilize .. I make SURE I place the AEROBICA on THE TOP SHELF!! After I do sterilize them .. I let the sterilizer cool down. Re assemble and I am good to go! I use distilled water .. I feel it is a good cautionary detail to keep the unit in good condition. If you are unsure you could confirm by calling 800) 833-9653 .. or better yet .. ask your Pulmonologist or respiratory therapist
.
I called Aerobika Customer Service directly and told them my cleaning method .. their only concern was that I rinse well the antibacterial dish soap after soaking. BUT they are NOT experts on MAC or Bronchiectasis. https://www.monaghanmed.com/patients-education. They finally admitted their ONLY cleaning research was based on boiling SO cannot comment on any cleaning method other than boiling .. baby bottle sterilizing? LIABILITY!!

IF you are using inhaled saline (Sodium Chloride Inhalation Solution) with your Aerobika .. I found a good price at: http://justnebulizers.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=p22f81cn .. I purchased the 5 package. I use the same cleaning method.

REPLY
@katemn

@128128terry11t, Terry, not doing great yet .. but there again I am not yet at the end of my 28 day Tobramycin inhaled antibiotic for the 3 bacteria .. 5 months to go .. I do so miss you all! Hugs to all! Katherine

From my File Cabinet .. personally what I do is:

AEROBIKA AND NEBULIZER -CLEANING
NOTE: because I purchased a large supply of nebs I use the same cleaning method as below for the Aerobika and nebulizers per my File Cabinet.
I can ONLY speak for myself .. I follow the cleaning method on the Aerobika website: https://www.monaghanmed.com/patients-education .. the same one that came with the Aerobika.

1. I use very warm water .. I use a 4 cup plastic measuring cup to wash the various parts .. I like the cup handle as I agitate the parts I am cleaning! Norpro 4-Cup Plastic Measuring Cup https://smile.amazon.com/Norpro-4-Cup-Plastic-Measuring-Cup/dp/B000HJBFFS/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1493589199&sr=8-1&keywords=4+CUP+measure+plastic

I USE THE: The First Years Power of Steam Electric Steam Sterilizer (I remove ONE shelve & make the bottom shelf TALLER to accommodate the tall nebulizer with two other more narrow shelves) https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B002WN2B6O/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I use a bit of antibacterial dish soap. Suds it up .. agitate .. hold the parts and shake them very thoroughly through the sudsy water.

2. Let the parts soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Then several times fill the measuring cup with very warm rinse water .. again agitate the parts thoroughly to make sure they are thoroughly clean of the antibacterial dish soap.

3. I then toss them into the large round center baby sterilizer with the drainage holes at the bottom for storage (that I have removed from the unit) until I am ready to sterilize them all at one time. (This may sound dumb but I store all this equipment in my unused bathtub since I only use my shower!)

4. When I sterilize .. I make SURE I place the AEROBICA on THE TOP SHELF!! After I do sterilize them .. I let the sterilizer cool down. Re assemble and I am good to go! I use distilled water .. I feel it is a good cautionary detail to keep the unit in good condition. If you are unsure you could confirm by calling 800) 833-9653 .. or better yet .. ask your Pulmonologist or respiratory therapist
.
I called Aerobika Customer Service directly and told them my cleaning method .. their only concern was that I rinse well the antibacterial dish soap after soaking. BUT they are NOT experts on MAC or Bronchiectasis. https://www.monaghanmed.com/patients-education. They finally admitted their ONLY cleaning research was based on boiling SO cannot comment on any cleaning method other than boiling .. baby bottle sterilizing? LIABILITY!!

IF you are using inhaled saline (Sodium Chloride Inhalation Solution) with your Aerobika .. I found a good price at: http://justnebulizers.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=p22f81cn .. I purchased the 5 package. I use the same cleaning method.

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Thank you so very much for such a comprehensive explanation of your method. I love it when all is explained in such detail; I truly need this step-by-step instruction. Sending even more well wishes and prayers for your recovery. You are amazing!
Terry

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@colleenyoung

Interesting Terry. This appears to contradict what @lindam272 reported from the manufacturers instructions to use the microwave. In this message http://mayocl.in/2qD7XjC she wrote:
"...take nebulizer parts and aerobika mouthpiece and soak all in hot soapy water. Later, rinse all parts well and put in the bottle sterilizer, microwave according to directions the sterilizer comes with, remove. I usually let it cool for a bit. Remove parts. Lay out to dry. Rinse/wash out sterilizer and let that dry."

Linda, did you see Terry's message about being told not to use the microwave?

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@lindam272 Linda, today is a better day so reading some back posts .. REALLY glad I read this one. I was SOOO sick of washing .. sterilizing all my inhaled Tobramycin nebs plus all the saline ones .. I was taking a sabbatical until I start the 2nd cycle .. your post reminded me I am NOT doing a good job of my Aerobika PLUS my two inhaler spacers! Thank you for the jolt! Good job! Hugs to all! Katherine

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@colleenyoung

Interesting Terry. This appears to contradict what @lindam272 reported from the manufacturers instructions to use the microwave. In this message http://mayocl.in/2qD7XjC she wrote:
"...take nebulizer parts and aerobika mouthpiece and soak all in hot soapy water. Later, rinse all parts well and put in the bottle sterilizer, microwave according to directions the sterilizer comes with, remove. I usually let it cool for a bit. Remove parts. Lay out to dry. Rinse/wash out sterilizer and let that dry."

Linda, did you see Terry's message about being told not to use the microwave?

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Katherine, Glad you are starting to feel a little better! And, so very glad I was a gentle reminder!! Blessings, Linda

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@colleenyoung

Interesting Terry. This appears to contradict what @lindam272 reported from the manufacturers instructions to use the microwave. In this message http://mayocl.in/2qD7XjC she wrote:
"...take nebulizer parts and aerobika mouthpiece and soak all in hot soapy water. Later, rinse all parts well and put in the bottle sterilizer, microwave according to directions the sterilizer comes with, remove. I usually let it cool for a bit. Remove parts. Lay out to dry. Rinse/wash out sterilizer and let that dry."

Linda, did you see Terry's message about being told not to use the microwave?

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I'm looking for nebulizer, there are so many different kind and I really don't know which one is better for inhale Amikacine. Also they are not cheap, any suggestion pls. Thank you all so much for all your help. Blessing!! Cila

REPLY
@colleenyoung

Interesting Terry. This appears to contradict what @lindam272 reported from the manufacturers instructions to use the microwave. In this message http://mayocl.in/2qD7XjC she wrote:
"...take nebulizer parts and aerobika mouthpiece and soak all in hot soapy water. Later, rinse all parts well and put in the bottle sterilizer, microwave according to directions the sterilizer comes with, remove. I usually let it cool for a bit. Remove parts. Lay out to dry. Rinse/wash out sterilizer and let that dry."

Linda, did you see Terry's message about being told not to use the microwave?

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@cila, Cila I got mine at: .. I found a good price at: http://justnebulizers.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=p22f81cn .. I purchased the 5 package. Please All jump in if you found a better price! Hugs! Katherine

REPLY
@colleenyoung

Interesting Terry. This appears to contradict what @lindam272 reported from the manufacturers instructions to use the microwave. In this message http://mayocl.in/2qD7XjC she wrote:
"...take nebulizer parts and aerobika mouthpiece and soak all in hot soapy water. Later, rinse all parts well and put in the bottle sterilizer, microwave according to directions the sterilizer comes with, remove. I usually let it cool for a bit. Remove parts. Lay out to dry. Rinse/wash out sterilizer and let that dry."

Linda, did you see Terry's message about being told not to use the microwave?

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Katherine, do I need to buy the compressor separate from nebulizer? Is it better to get the portable or the hand held. They can't send me the Amikacine until I have the machine. My Dr. did not tell me anything or prefer me for this. Thank you all for your help and I'm glad I have you all to guide me. I really appreciate this forum, you are all God sends. Thanks! Blessing to all! Cila

REPLY
@katemn

@128128terry11t, Terry, that Rep is total HOOEY! I did inhaled Amikacin for THIRTY months .. sterilizing nebs in a baby sterilizer the ENTIRE time .. it worked perfectly! I spoke to the manufacturer .. he said the reality is that ALL testing has been done with BOILING .. THAT is why they CANNOT recommend a baby bottle sterilizer! That is the ONLY reason .. liability! So again .. Hooey! The sterilizer I used was: The First Years Power of Steam Electric Steam Sterilizer https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B002WN2B6O/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Good luck and Hugs! Katherine

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Hi Katherine
I know this is an old post but I have been using a baby bottle sterilizer for all equipment except Arikayce neb and Innospire Go. Did you have any wear and tear problems with the Arikayce equipment in the sterilizer? It would certainly make life easier not to boil
Would appreciate any information

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