SoClean 2 Go Travel Cleaner Reviews

CPAP, which stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, is a type of therapy that is used primarily for addressing obstructive sleep apnea. CPAP machine users are aware that while this therapy can be life-changing insofar as it improves sleep quality (and therefore quality of life) it also brings with it new challenges.

Today’s CPAP machine technology has progressed significantly, allowing CPAP machine users to have a more comfortable experience. Today’s machines are much quieter, and the variety of nasal and full-face options helps everyone find the choice that’s right for them.

Of course, no matter how quiet, comfortable, and natural the therapy is, the necessity of breathing through a machine requires one to perfect the maintenance of that machine. And while today’s machines are certainly easier to travel with, break down, and use in general, another issue remains: cleaning.

CPAP Cleanliness and Hygiene

Everyone knows that personal hygiene is important. That need for hygiene extends beyond one’s physical body to their environment as well. Just as it’s important to keep surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom clean, to eat from clean dishes, and to wear clean clothes, it’s also very important to keep one’s CPAP machine clean.

While daily cleaning at home, using mild detergent and a damp towel, is sufficient most of the time, that alone won’t keep your machine clean and safe. It’s also necessary to keep the humidifier empty when not in use, and to thoroughly clean the mask and tubing of the machine weekly.

However, both daily cleaning and thorough disinfection can be extremely difficult when you’re traveling. While some people can forego the use of their CPAP masks when away for a few days, others cannot. Besides, rest is just as important when traveling (if not more so) as it is at home.

As a result, more and more people are looking for ways to travel with their CPAP masks and to overcome the challenges inherent in keeping it safely clean while on the go. As well they should be, because it can be even more important to keep your CPAP machine clean during travel.

Why Cleaning is Vital, at Home and When Traveling

Even when a CPAP machine has been in contact only with the user, and only for a night or two, it should be cleaned often. That’s because the majority of the bacteria, germs, mold, and viruses that pose a threat to the person using it comes from the user themselves.

The CPAP machine, when not clean, offers a very pleasant environment for these pathogens to multiply. When one considers that this is a machine which people breathe from directly, the importance of preventing that multiplication of germs is obvious.

This is a critical enough situation when one is at home and in familiar environments, but it is even more important when traveling.

Not only will the CPAP user be exposed to bacteria and viruses with which they are not familiar, but they are exposed to many more of them. When traveling, people generally come into contact with crowded places and poor ventilation. The handrail in the bleachers of a sports stadium is covered in contaminants, for example.

Many people have problems with getting sick after traveling by air because the ventilation in an airplane filled with hundreds of people circulates disease. The crowded bathrooms at a festival, the door handles of a store that thousands of people touch a day — all of these are vectors for disease.

So, when traveling, it is more important than ever to practice good hygiene routines with one’s CPAP equipment. This includes washing one’s hands and face thoroughly, using sanitizing wipes when available, washing the machine, and using other methods to sanitize it more aggressively than at home.

Doing so can help prevent sinus infections and contracting contagious diseases.

And of course, a freshly cleaned machine also provides a better night’s sleep.

Challenging Cleaning Issues

There are some things that can make cleaning your CPAP machine difficult while away from home.

For one thing, it may not be possible to find sufficient distilled water to clean the mask as thoroughly as you should. While tap water may be safe to use for cleaning in some locations, it most certainly is not safe in others. And many travelers do not want to take the chance.

Even cleaning your filter alone can be stressful and difficult because of limitations like these.

Of course, some people use sanitation machines which don’t rely on water to clean their masks, which seems like a great solution. Except that the majority of these machines have, so far, required an outlet to plug into. Outlets can be in short supply when you’re traveling, which causes more frustration.

Plus, many of those machines are bulky and heavy, and simply not practical for portability.

A product has come around, however, that proposes to solve all of these issues: the SoClean 2 Go Travel CPAP Equipment Cleaner.

What is the SoClean 2 Go Travel CPAP Equipment Cleaner?

SoClean is already known for making waterless CPAP equipment cleaning machines, and they have put that same technology to work in a new machine designed specifically for travel.

SoClean’s machines utilize activated oxygen. CPAP equipment is placed into a holding bag, where it is exposed to this activated oxygen for a pre-set amount of time. This destroys 99.9% of the bacteria, mold, or viruses that might be present in the mask.

The SoClean 2 Go introduces some new, travel-oriented features.

Advantages of the SoClean 2 Go for Travel

One of the most advantageous aspects of using the SoClean 2 Go for cleaning one’s CPAP equipment away from home is the fact that it is entirely dry. Because it doesn’t require any water to clean the equipment, the quality of the water at the hotel or other accommodation becomes irrelevant.

There’s no need to find a pharmacy to purchase distilled water, nor does the process require any sort of special chemicals or wipes. The activated oxygen process used is very similar to that used by hospitals and other professional facilities; it is one of the most trusted and reliable sanitation methods available for this type of equipment.

Another advantage is the fact that the SoClean 2 Go does not rely on having an electrical outlet nearby because it runs on batteries. The batteries it uses are very commonly available and also easy to travel with AA batteries. The machine uses eight of them.

The SoClean 2 Go is also very small, at 4.3 x 4.9 x 3.9 inches, and weighs less than one and a half pounds. Despite its small size, it can be used to clean almost any type of CPAP machine, with the exception of full-sized face masks.

The bag in which the breathing systems are placed for cleaning also doubles as a travel case for the SoClean 2, which is a clever feature that maximizes space and weight efficiently.

Other Features

The SoClean 2 Go has universal fittings which can be used to fit the vast majority of CPAP models. Those that are not compatible with the universal fitting can still be cleaned with the SoClean 2 Go; they simply require an additional adapter which is sold separately.

The cleaning process is controlled by an automatic timer, which is especially convenient while traveling. Travelers schedules often become hectic, and this feature can remove some of the stress associated with CPAP use and maintenance.

Downsides

While the SoClean 2 Go provides everything necessary to sanitize most CPAP machines and does so in a way that is easy to accomplish even when traveling, it does have some slight downsides.

There is an AC adapter that fits the unit. However, it is not included with the unit. Instead, customers need to purchase this separately. This is something of a hassle, but because it is so useful when there are available outlets, and because it saves the user battery costs over time, it’s highly advisable. The SoClean 2 Go averages approximately seven cleanings per set of batteries, so being able to use the adapter when there is electricity available can represent significant cost reduction.

The biggest drawback, however, may not be avoidable. The SoClean 2 Go was quite obviously designed to be as light and small as possible. While this is clearly ideal from the standpoint of comfort while packing and carrying the machine, it has some less desirable results as well:

The SoClean 2 Go simply isn’t as robustly designed as home units. That is not to say that it’s likely to malfunction when being used as intended. However, when traveling, things happen that aren’t intended. People drop their bags, or overpack, or place a heavy bag on top of one with fragile contents.

So, it is very important when traveling with the SoClean 2 Go to be very aware of the fact that it should be treated gently. When possible, keep it in a carry on bag when traveling by air, for example.

Overall

The SoClean 2 Go is a revolutionary innovation in portable CPAP sanitation. To date, there has never been an option that is so convenient and effective. It is ideal on many counts, including its convenience (small size), portability, lightweight, and easy to use. Both the option of a wall adapter and the fact that it can run using batteries make it extremely versatile for travel.

Its best feature, however, is simply its purpose: to nearly sterilize CPAP equipment anywhere the user goes.

For this reason alone, the SoClean 2 Go is an absolute must-have for travelers who rely upon a CPAP machine. For those who have traveled without their CPAP in the past because cleaning was an inconvenience, the SoClean 2 Go could be nearly as life-changing as using a CPAP mask in the first place.

Frequent and occasional travelers alike will love this accessory and will benefit from it enormously, both regarding improved health and convenience.

It is advised that buyers consider the additional AC adapter from the time of initial purchase because it is a long-term investment. It does increase the initial purchase price but will be well worth it.

Also, if there is any doubt that the hoses of the user’s CPAP machine will interlock with the SoClean 2 Go properly, contact the company to find out if an adapter is required, and if so, which one.

Finally, the unit’s fragility has been noted by many users and is obvious from the lightweight materials used in its design. Plan ahead when packing with the So Clean 2 Go to ensure that the machine is secure and protected from falls and bumps while en route.

Conclusion

The SoClean 2 Go won’t likely replace CPAP users’ home SoClean 2 units, but it is an exceptionally worthwhile purchase for travel. It is so small, and so convenient, that it is worth having just for a sleepover away from home.

One of the biggest challenges CPAP users face is finding the right equipment and maintaining it safely. Those who have the most difficulty with keeping their CPAP equipment sanitary are typically those who do not feel the need to invest in the right tools to make it convenient and quick.

CPAP machines are intended to improve (and sometimes save) lives. It doesn’t make sense to go through the process of finding a CPAP machine that works with one’s sleep patterns and biology, but not take care of it properly.

Sanitization is perhaps the most important aspect of CPAP maintenance. If you travel with a CPAP machine, the SoClean 2 Go is, without a doubt, the best way to prioritize a sanitary CPAP machine.

While it may not be perfect, it is the best option on the market right now in terms of portability. SoClean is already a well-known, established, and respected brand in this field, with the SoClean 2 being one of the most purchased home CPAP sanitizing units. The SoClean 2 Go is destined to fill that role in the travel niche.

SoClean 2 Go Travel CPAP Cleaner

It’s the perfect travel companion for those with sleep apnea. Cleaning CPAP machines are incredibly important, even when traveling. This device is small and light enough to carry around anywhere.