The Best Way to Clean Your CPAP Equipment
To get the most in comfort and performance from your CPAP therapy, it's key to keep your equipment clean. If you don't, you risk the buildup of harmful mold or bacteria, which can cause infections along with respiratory discomfort or even illness.
Don't let your CPAP equipment make you sick or wear out too quickly! It can cost both your money and your health.
We've shared some simple tips to help you clean your device, as well as a device that makes maintenance and cleaning even easier.
Cleaning the Main Parts of Your CPAP Equipment
Here's a quick breakdown of the major parts of your CPAP equipment and how to clean each part properly.
1. CPAP Mask & Tubing
Your CPAP mask is the part that makes contact with your face, most often made from silicone or hard plastic. Keep your mask clean by wiping it down every week with specially made mask cleaner or any fragrance-free soap and warm water.
Next, there's your CPAP tubing. These hoses connect your mask to your CPAP machine. To keep your CPAP tubing clean, simply soak it in warm, soapy water once per week for a few minutes, then rinse it and hang it to dry.
2. CPAP Machine & Filter
The CPAP machine is the heart of your equipment. It's the device that pumps air through your airways and into your lungs while you're sleeping, keeping your airways open and ensuring you get the right amount of oxygen in your system throughout the night.
Keep the outside of your machine clean by wiping it off with a damp cloth once per month, and use a mild soap if the machine is particularly dirty or dusty.
There's also a CPAP filter built into your machine, most often located in the rear of your device. Users with strong allergies, pets, or lots of dust around should consider using a disposable CPAP filter, which is also seen as an "easier way" to go. To clean disposable filters, simply replace them once per month. Conversely, non-disposable CPAP filters will need to be removed, washed in warm, soapy water, and rinsed on a more regular basis.
3. Water Chamber & Humidifier
Many modern CPAP machines include a built-in humidifier to help users avoid dry mouth and scratchy airways after a night's use. Although built-in CPAP humidifiers are great for users' overall comfort, they're also the most time-consuming to clean.
Water chambers must be cleaned nearly every day to ensure proper performance and sanitation. Rinse your water chamber with warm, soapy water, and let it soak for at least 10 minutes. Then, rinse it thoroughly, and let it air-dry. We also recommend a rinse with white vinegar every week to help keep your water chamber sanitized and disinfected.
For more information, check out our complete guide to CPAP cleaning and maintenance.
Here's Why SoClean Is the Answer for Easy CPAP Cleaning
If you're going to need CPAP therapy for an extended period of time and all this cleaning sounds like too much of a chore, there's an easier way: the SoClean CPAP cleaner and sanitizing machine.
SoClean uses activated oxygen to eliminate the bacteria and germs that build up in your CPAP equipment, from the machine to the filter, hoses, mask, and beyond. Plus, it's incredibly easy to use!
All you have to do is take off your mask when you wake up in the morning, place your mask inside your SoClean unit and close it. The SoClean unit will turn itself on and off automatically to clean and sanitize every component of your CPAP equipment completely. This means no more disassembly, washing with soapy water, and waiting for your components to dry. Plus, you'll have peace of mind knowing your CPAP machine is always clean and sanitized for the utmost in comfort and performance.
With all the advantages of SoClean CPAP cleaning and sanitizing machines, it's easy to see why we recommend you check them out for your daily CPAP cleaning needs. If you'd like to learn more about CPAP maintenance and cleaning, check out our comprehensive guide below.