Respirators: cleaning and maintenance

[jacob]

I have one of these: https://www.amazon.com/Safety-Works-SWX ... B00009363G

Question 1) The company of course suggest using their special fancy detergent to clean it. Can I just remove the filters(*) and use regular dish detergent?

(*) The replaceable side filters not the front valve for the exit-breathing.

Question 2) I see MSA came out with a new version. Are respirators subject to planned obsolescence as well or can I expect that the filter fittings are standardized?

Gotta be a few OSHA people in here?!

[Dream of Freedom]

You don't want to use anything abrasive to clean it. So no scratch pads and no harsh chemicals like degreaser. Dish detergent would probably work. But I don't know what osha would say.

[SavingWithBabies]

3M has this guide for cleaning reusable respirators (downloads):

http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/4739 ... rators.pdf

I was wondering about the disinfecting part and they mention that as the second step but the first step is cleaning in a warm solution (water?) with a neutral detergent if you think it's needed. I wonder if you could use warm water with a drop or two of bleach for the disinfecting step*.

* I'm posting because I'm wondering if in general this is a good disinfecting approach.

[Sclass]

I periodically toss my cartridges.

This is new to me that you can actually wash these things without compromising the filter.

Oops, read too fast again. The exit filters are washable. I get it. Funny I should check my masks but I don’t think they have exit filters. Just a valve.