For science!

[u/PM_YOUR_MDL_INITIAL]

I saw a discussion recently about replacing nasal aspirators periodically because of mold. I have been using the blue one for ~6 years now and decided to replace it with a clear one that is made to be cleanable.

As you can see, after many years of use, the old one is perfectly clean. It was only used to clean pens and only with water (tap water and distilled water) and pen flush. After use I always sat it nozzle down so it could properly drain.

[u/Adept_Juggernaut_913]

Thanks for sacrificing yours so we don't have to! 

Mine is white and light shines through it easily, so anything in it casts a shadow. But if it ever needs replacing, I guess I'll go for a demonstrator. 

[u/levon9]

I did the same, just clear water (or distilled) .. mine looked really gnarly when I cut it open

[u/kniveshu → u/levon9]

Did you also use it to suck inky water through the pens?

[u/levon9 → u/kniveshu]

Ah, good point, it's quite possible I did as I pumped the bulb and I can't be sure I never sucked in inky water. Hadn't thought of that.

[u/fountainpens-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Be kind, be civil, and engage with the community in good faith

[u/SilverYayFern → u/kniveshu]

Oh thank god.

[u/Hitmanthe2nd → u/levon9]

im like 99 percent sure that isnt mould , it's ink that has stained the rubber coating of your bulb syringe - pretty common if you dont clean it thoroughly with warm water and a little dish soap after use

[u/CountessSockula → u/levon9]

And now I'm a lil bit terrified, because I have two of those that I use to clean my pens.

::🏃 to prep bleach wash::

[u/levon9 → u/CountessSockula]

I still have an unused blue one, but when the time comes (no more than a year) I will replace it with a clear one. The clear ones I've seen can be opened up for cleaning too.

[u/tinae7]

I, too, cut mine open after seeing the same discussion and it had no mould but a bit of rusty residue from the hard tap water here. It had been in use less than 6 years and I always dried it nozzle down on the heating unit.

[u/Designer-Care-7083]

Where did you get the clear one? Thanks

[u/PM_YOUR_MDL_INITIAL → u/Designer-Care-7083]

From Amazon although I know the drugstore and grocery store also have them and are basically the same thing. I haven't used it yet so I can't really recommend it right now.

[u/Designer-Care-7083 → u/PM_YOUR_MDL_INITIAL]

Thanks!

[u/Pikapeach → u/PM_YOUR_MDL_INITIAL]

Any links of screenshots to the one you got from Amazon please?

[u/PM_YOUR_MDL_INITIAL → u/Pikapeach]

It's "Dr. Talbot's Nasal Aspirator for Babies - Silicone - Includes Storage Case - Clear"

[u/SilverYayFern]

Thank you for this PSA! I never leave mine nozzle down and I’ve been using it for…about 10 years at this point? I’m scared.

[u/Any-Actuator9783 → u/SilverYayFern]

no need

[u/Menes009]

pen flush has enough cleaning agents to remove early mold formation.

Would be interesting to see the results of someone who uses only water

[u/InevitableShine5067]

I’ve had a clear one for about 6 years and could never go back to the opaque style.

[u/the_bartolonomicron]

I want to rig together the flexible tip of a bulb syringe onto the plunger of a traditional syringe for the best of both worlds

[u/acacio]

A few drops of disinfectant after use keeps mine clean.

[u/Phssthpok_Pak]

I'm not sure but this might have to do with where you live too.
Here in Florida mold will form very quickly no matter how you dry it, super frustrating.

[u/Quantum_Tangled → u/Phssthpok_Pak]

That's from the humidity in the air.