Quick Overview
- Benefits of regular cleaning: CPAP cleaning prevents bacteria, mold, and allergens from building up. This eventually reduces the risk of respiratory infections and helps extend the life of your equipment.
- What to use to disinfect the cpap: Use mild soap, warm water, white vinegar, and clean towels. Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach or hydrogen peroxide, which can damage your machine and pose health risks.
- Freqeuency of cleaning: Clean the mask, filters, and humidifier chamber weekly, and wipe down the machine exterior with a damp cloth. Always unplug before cleaning.
Why CPAP Cleaning is Important
Have you ever noticed how things like coffee, your retainer, or a cup left outside over time start to smell a little musty? Even if you did not want to expose these things mold or germs, they still accumulated and thrived. In order to stay healthy, you must regularly clean them. For the same reason, you must clean your CPAP!
That’s right, while you’re cleaning your everyday items, don’t forget to clean your CPAP machine and CPAP parts too! Keep reading to learn how to clean your CPAP!
A buildup of dust, oils, and dead skin cells inside your CPAP machine can serve as a breeding ground for bacteria, mold, and germs, making you sicker more frequently. The last thing you want to do if you have sleep apnea is to contaminate your airway or cause illnesses like pneumonia or sinus infection.
Daily cleaning can help you benefit the most from your CPAP therapy in addition to being crucial for your health. The best thing is that keeping your equipment clean makes it last longer, which means you won’t need to replace parts as frequently, which can help you save money.
What CPAP Cleaning Supplies Do I Need?
Everything you need for a clean CPAP is most likely already around your home! All you need is:
- Warm, clean water
- A mild soap or dish detergent
- Clean, dry towels
- White vinegar
- Space to allow your equipment to dry
How to Clean Your CPAP
Cleaning Your CPAP Mask
Because it touches your face, your CPAP mask (whether a face mask or nasal pillows) needs to be cleaned every week as well. Bacteria and dead skin cells may accumulate on your mask and transfer directly to your skin.
- Disconnect the mask from the tubing and disassemble all of the parts.
- Remove the headgear and set it aside, unless you would like to clean it with your mask.
- Place your CPAP mask parts in warm soapy water and swirl them around for about five minutes.
- Thoroughly rinse each piece and allow them to completely air dry before reassembling your mask. The headgear may take a bit longer to dry.
Cleaning Your CPAP Filters
Disposable filters will need to be thrown away and replaced on a regular basis depending on their recommended replacement schedule.
Depending on how much dust, pollen, and animal dander they collect from the air in your home, reusable air filters will need to be washed once a week at the very least. Cleaning them will enable them to successfully keep out irritants from your equipment.
Rinse the filters under warm water and then squeeze the excess moisture out.
Blot them dry with a clean dry towel and leave them to fully air dry before placing them back inside your CPAP.
Once your white or grey filters become discolored then it’s time to clean them or replace them.
Cleaning Your CPAP Machine
When it comes to cleaning your actual CPAP machine refer to your manufacturer’s recommended schedule.
- ALWAYS unplug it first.
- Wipe the outside down with a clean, damp cloth to remove any dust.
- Dry it with a clean towel.
- Make sure it’s completely dry before plugging it back in.
Cleaning Your CPAP Humidifier
If your CPAP machine has a humidifier you should clean it every other week.
- Begin by emptying any remaining water from the water chamber.
- Pour a solution of 1 part white vinegar and 5 parts water inside of it and soak for 30 minutes.
- Thoroughly rinse it with plain water, and give it time to fully dry.
- Depending on your humidifier, you can actually place it in the dishwasher to rinse and dry.
- Remember, only fill it with distilled water to prevent mineral build up.
Can I Clean My CPAP With Vinegar?
Yes, but not in place of a wash with soap and water. Your CPAP equipment can be safely cleaned with vinegar, but it won’t get rid of any accumulation. If you want to thoroughly disinfect your equipment, such as your mask and tubing, once a month, you can use a vinegar solution of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water.
- Allow each part to soak in the vinegar solution for about 30 minutes.
- Thoroughly rinse each item clean and hang them up to completely air dry.
- Do not reuse the vinegar and water solution. Dispose of it after every use.
- Do not clean cloth items such as your headgear or filters with vinegar.
Can I Clean My CPAP With Hydrogen Peroxide?
Maybe. Keep in mind, that the answer to this question is “maybe” means that this technique should be avoided until more research is performed.
It is crucial to use hydrogen peroxide correctly if you want to sterilize materials like cuts or stainless steel. The concentrations seen in retail products range from 3 to 4%. Your skin might easily burn if you use too much peroxide. Additionally, there are worries that it could become poisonous at specific temperatures and when exposed to different surface materials. Its oxidation process might possibly be damaging.
To put it simply, using hydrogen peroxide to clean your CPAP could harm your health and your equipment.
Can I Clean My CPAP With Bleach?
Don’t even consider it! Even when diluted with water, cleaning your CPAP with bleach could be detrimental to your health. Even after thorough cleansing, the fumes could still adhere to your equipment and irritate your lungs. Additionally, getting any bleach on your skin could cause burns and rust to your equipment.