All,

Last year I had a bad sinus infection that took 9 months, 4 different
antibiotics and 3 doctors to clear.  During that process I started to
use the Grossan HydroPulse irrigator (thanks doc!) since I found it
was the only thing that kept my sinus headaches away.  I now use
the HP maybe once per month, if that (I service PCs and have to
open up older PCs on occasion that are filled with dust so I irrigate
when I get home as a precaution).  So my question is about how
should I clean and sterilize my HP if its going to sit in my cupboard
for a month or two?   Previously, when I was wrestling with the sinus
infection I was irrigation 2-4 times per day and running diluted bleach
through it once per week. Since I was using it so often I wasn't too
worried about bacterial growth while it was sitting between usage.
But now that it sits for weeks I am leery of some nasty bug making
a home inside and then being deposited in my nose on the next use.
So here's the steps I've been using and was hoping others could
comment and advise.

Before Use: I run a full tank of very hot tap water through the machine
to clear it out. Then I run another 3/4ths tank with hot tap water and a
splash of bleach and run that through with a ten minute pause in the
middle. Then I flush with a full tank of distilled water.

Use: I use distilled water with Breathease powder, heated in the
microwave.

After Use:  I run a full tank of hot tap water through the machine then
I run a tank of distilled water and run it down until its about 1/2 way
and I splash in some Hyrdrogen Peroxide and let it finish.  I wipe
everying down and use a can of "Dust Off" to blow water out of
any difficult to reach areas such as the tip, wand, and the valve at
the bottom of the tank and on the machine. I cover it with a towel
and put it in the cupboard.

So is that adequate? Overkill?  Is there a better way?

One final questions;  when I was irrigating daily I was using up the
2.5 gal. container of distilled water pretty quickly.  But now that I
am not using it every day the distilled water is sitting around. So I
was wonder if there is a chance that my distilled water is harboring
any bacteria?  To make it flow during use I have to punch a small
hole in the top so air can get in and water can get out.  Is this a
risk?  (Can you tell I am paranoid of getting another sinus infection ;-)

Regards,
David