When first purchased, is the hygienikit marked "sterile" or must it be cleaned prior to use? Also, for those who have used the pump for a while, would you recommend purchasing a spare hygienikit (how durable are the valves, etc.)? When first purchased, is the hygienikit marked "sterile" or must it be cleaned prior to use? Also, for those who have used the pump for a while, would you recommend purchasing a spare... » Read More When first purchased, is the hygienikit marked "sterile" or must it be cleaned prior to use? Also, for those who have used the pump for a while, would you recommend purchasing a spare hygienikit (how durable are the valves, etc.)? « Show Less
1307784
Mine was not marked "sterile," so I boiled all the parts the user guide indicated I should.I would absolutely buy extra valves, tubing, and plastic diaphragms for the pump, as it won't work at all if something goes wrong with the ones you have (I.e. they are punctured somehow or get a small tear). That being said, I've been using the original set that came with my pump since I bought it (7 months ago) without problems, so the advice is just a precaution.
1025613
Hi Paul H,Is there any update ? Have you talked to your technician ? It's almost a week and that pump is still not doing anything, I really want it to work.Thank you.
1311305
Everyday regular use. If you're after sterile, you probably need to look elsewhere - you can clean this (and keep it clean) quite easily
1438398
Better pressure with this. Also better flexibility, as you can vary pressure. Would be an excellent product if not for the short life-span of the motor/pump. Again, not sure if this was a one-time bad item or if all of them are like this. I also have had the Water Pik SinuSense for 3-4 years. Good product. Hope this helps.
238710
The way I have understood it, and used the product, is when "winterizing" my machine and getting ready for an extended period of non-use. It's supposedly used mainly for cleaning out and "anti-freezing" the pump. I don't live in a particularly cold winter climate (SE United States) but it does drop well below freezing sometimes during the winter. But, using it prior to using the pump the first time: NOT NECESSARY.
1726747
No. This is a single-user pump and should not be purchased used. It is an open system, and use by more than one person voids the warranty.
1954898
Yes, I've used it for about 3 months now. The pump hasn't missed a beat. Hope you decide to get it. Great product and I've enjoyed using it. Lyn
2000013
I cleaned the preowned one I bought with soft scrub with bleach. Rinse well. I cleaned and sanitized all at one time.
1509959
It's not necessarily true that you are not cleaning it enough, but you may not be cleaning it well enough. I usually rinse mine with Listerine every month or so, after thoroughly cleaning it, to kill off any stray bacteria. I have posted four pictures on how to properly disassemble the pump for cleaning, that should help.The type of water you use can also have a great impact on cleanliness. Bottled, spring or well water(non-chlorinated) will scum up much faster than chlorinated tap water. Also, if your pets are messy, and leave bits of dirt or food in the fountain it will scum much faster. It's not necessarily true that you are not cleaning it enough, but you may not be cleaning it well enough. I usually rinse mine with Listerine every month or so, after thoroughly cleaning it, to kill off any stray bacteria. I have posted four pictures on how to properly disassemble the pump for cleaning, that should help.The type of water you use can also have a great impact on cleanliness. Bottled, spring or well water(non-chlorinated) will scum up much faster than chlorinated tap water. Also, if your pets are messy, and leave bits of dirt or food in the fountain it will scum... » Read More It's not necessarily true that you are not cleaning it enough, but you may not be cleaning it well enough. I usually rinse mine with Listerine every month or so, after thoroughly cleaning it, to kill off any stray bacteria. I have posted four pictures on how to properly disassemble the pump for cleaning, that should help.The type of water you use can also have a great impact on cleanliness. Bottled, spring or well water(non-chlorinated) will scum up much faster than chlorinated tap water. Also, if your pets are messy, and leave bits of dirt or food in the fountain it will scum much faster. « Show Less
2205301
Also an MB owner, synthetic oil. I am not sure if there were any modifications made, but I have been using mine for almost three years without much of a problem. I just follow the advice from one of the customer reviews. After I am done with oil extraction and pumping the used oil back into a disposal container, I make the pump suck a little degreaser, shake it around for a bit and push it back out to an old milk container. Pump seems fine so far stored (for months) without much oil left to degrade the seals. I cannot say whether I would have problems without this clean-up, but "cleanliness is next to godliness" in any case, right? :) Also an MB owner, synthetic oil. I am not sure if there were any modifications made, but I have been using mine for almost three years without much of a problem. I just follow the advice from one of the customer reviews. After I am done with oil extraction and pumping the used oil back into a disposal container, I make the pump suck a little degreaser, shake it around for a bit and push it back out to an old milk container. Pump seems fine so far stored (for months) without much oil left to degrade the seals. I cannot say whether I would have problems without this clean-up, but... » Read More Also an MB owner, synthetic oil. I am not sure if there were any modifications made, but I have been using mine for almost three years without much of a problem. I just follow the advice from one of the customer reviews. After I am done with oil extraction and pumping the used oil back into a disposal container, I make the pump suck a little degreaser, shake it around for a bit and push it back out to an old milk container. Pump seems fine so far stored (for months) without much oil left to degrade the seals. I cannot say whether I would have problems without this clean-up, but "cleanliness is next to godliness" in any case, right? :) « Show Less
767870
Owned it for ~ 6 months now, used it several times, no visual signs that they need to be cleaned, and no slowing in performance, so have not cleaned them just yet. So, I suppose it all depends on how frequently it is used. Great unit, still love it, no issues, built to last, highly recommend it to anyone in the market.
704967
I would just sterilize after the initial purchase. You really don't need to sterilize bottles/parts each time anymore. That is an old recommendation from when water supplies weren't as safe. I do sterilize my bottles/parts once in a while still but really just hot soapy water or a run through the dishwasher is sufficient. Plus if you think about it- When you sterilize an item you also need to sterilize the tongs used to pick it up, the counter or drying rack you sit it on, the cupboard which it then goes into, and any other surface it is likely to touch by the time it's used for a feeding... You are never going to be able to keep your bottles sterile. I would just sterilize after the initial purchase. You really don't need to sterilize bottles/parts each time anymore. That is an old recommendation from when water supplies weren't as safe. I do sterilize my bottles/parts once in a while still but really just hot soapy water or a run through the dishwasher is sufficient. Plus if you think about it- When you sterilize an item you also need to sterilize the tongs used to pick it up, the counter or drying rack you sit it on, the cupboard which it then goes into, and any other surface it is likely to touch by the time it's used for a... » Read More I would just sterilize after the initial purchase. You really don't need to sterilize bottles/parts each time anymore. That is an old recommendation from when water supplies weren't as safe. I do sterilize my bottles/parts once in a while still but really just hot soapy water or a run through the dishwasher is sufficient. Plus if you think about it- When you sterilize an item you also need to sterilize the tongs used to pick it up, the counter or drying rack you sit it on, the cupboard which it then goes into, and any other surface it is likely to touch by the time it's used for a feeding... You are never going to be able to keep your bottles sterile. « Show Less
704973
I would just sterilize after the initial purchase. You really don't need to sterilize bottles/parts each time anymore. That is an old recommendation from when water supplies weren't as safe. I do sterilize my bottles/parts once in a while still but really just hot soapy water or a run through the dishwasher is sufficient. Plus if you think about it- When you sterilize an item you also need to sterilize the tongs used to pick it up, the counter or drying rack you sit it on, the cupboard which it then goes into, and any other surface it is likely to touch by the time it's used for a feeding... You are never going to be able to keep your bottles sterile.
1975269
I pulled the spout off mine and looked down inside. Soap scum builds up inside the pump mechanism and prevents the pump from resetting itself. I dripped a few drops of mineral oil inside the plunger mechanism, and now mine works as good as new. Another user in a review had good results using Dezcal, a descaler, in his, and apparently it also broke down the scum or deposits and helped his pump work, too. Dezcal is quite useful for descaling all sorts of things. (Amazon sells it in several different packages.)
1583516
You can put your pump parts into a ziploc bag and place it in the fridge after pumping and just wash once every 24 hours. I wash everything except the tubing.
1606465
Does anyone know if the pump problem has been resolved? Was there ever really a problem, or was it always a combination of air bubbles and/or clogged needle?
1412080
Good question. I've always just replaced the entire thing. It will pull off with a little effort but I'm not sure how to sanitize it. I'd like to know the answer to that question.