Spacer cleaning

[elanaoali]

I have a volumatic spacer which I use to take ventolin if I ever need it. I have used it this week as my asthma flared up due to a virus. I have notice that it has developed a ring around the inside. (I keep it in a bum bag to carry around when I am out and about)

I have left it in soak in a my kitchen sink. Is there a safe way to remove it. Or do I need to get a new one.

[Nottobad]

Wash it in soapy water. Rinse it and leave it to dry naturally. That’s what my community respiratory nurse told me.

[elanaoali in reply to Nottobad]

That what I always do but I can't get rid of the ring that's formed around the inside of the spacer.

[Mogget in reply to elanaoali]

I have those rings in mine too despite soaking. You can get rid of them if you wash properly and rub them off but you’re not meant to wash the spacer like that...

You’re meant to replace it every 12 months - are you near that point?

[elanaoali in reply to Mogget]

I didn't think I was near that point. I checked my calendar and it says I am not due a new one til January. I do have two spacers because I like to keep one at home and one I take out and about.

I haven't need to use them since May and it's only this week I have had to use a spacer. I have caught a virus which has irrated my asthma.

So I going to ask for a replacement spacer.

I have learnt my lesson to be more careful about looking after my spacers.

[Mogget in reply to elanaoali]

I’m guilty of not cleaning mine enough so that might be why I have rings. I think it’s meant to be cleaned weekly. That’s a good idea to have two - I might ask for an extra one.

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to Mogget]

Do you think that washing the inside of the spacer any more harshly would negatively effect its ability to do its job?

I can’t understand how it would.. the mouthpiece, maybe.

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to HowNowWhatNow]

The inside of spacers can’t be cleaned or dried vigorously as can change how it works (ie drying the inside can cause static to build up then the drug is more likely to stick to the spacer than to pass through etc). Some (not not a lot) of spacers are now dish washer safe, but I think it’s the static issue as to why you can’t just scrub the inside clean 😅. Hope that explains why to you

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to EmmaF91]

Yes, thank you. Did not know about the static before.

[elanaoali in reply to HowNowWhatNow]

That's why my inhaler has a ring around the inside. This is the ventolin sticking to it.

[Mieneman in reply to EmmaF91]

I was told not to rinse the spacer after moving it a few times up and down in the water and soaking it in warm water with a few drops of washing up liquid added to it. Just let it dry in the open air,do not clean the inside with a brush or cloth.

[Dixiegirlphyl]

I wash in soapy water, use ‘baby bottle’ brush to clean inside of spacer, then rinse and leave to dry. Must admit need to remember to do this more regularly!

[HungryHufflepuff]

When I first got a spacer I didn't know it needed to be cleaned! It got so disgusting I bought a new one. I have the Aero Chamber Plus type spacer. I still don't wash them as often as I should but I read that it should be washed in warm water with a mild washing up liquid, left to soak in the water for 15 minutes, then just shake the water out and leave the spacer to dry by standing upright on a towel.

Maybe it's because I don't wash them all that often, but I find they never get as clean as when they're new, the cloudy appearance never really goes. 🤔