How to Clean a CPAP Machine Properly

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Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is a popular treatment for managing sleep apnea, so it’s important for patients both new and experienced to understand the proper way to clean their setups. With each use, CPAP machines can accumulate oils, dead skin cells and sweat, and without proper cleaning, they can become a breeding ground for viruses and germs. Regular cleaning of your machine will combat this and help keep it running longer.

This guide will answer your questions and explain how to clean a CPAP machine properly. Keep reading to learn more.

Take Control of Your Sleep!

Sleep Apnea is frustrating! Getting the CPAP supplies you need isn’t with our amazing monthly plans that come with the name brand full-face CPAP mask of your choice plus free tubing, free filters, free cushions and free shipping! Plans start at just $36/month. Put your CPAP on autopilot today and … Leave the rest of to us!™ 30-day Fitmask Guarantee!

How to Clean Your CPAP Machine

Every CPAP machine is different, so it’s important to read the manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning the device. Regardless of the make and model, you should clean your CPAP mask, tubing and the water chamber daily. The easiest way is to wash the device with warm water and air dry it before putting it back together.

  • When you go to clean the device, unplug the machine before disassembling.
  • You’ll want to detach the mask, take it apart if necessary, and take the air tubing off the machine.
  • If your machine has a humidifier, start by removing the water chamber to clean that as well.
  • Then, clean the parts in a sink with soap and warm water.
  • Make sure you stay away from strong cleaning products like dish detergents or household cleaners because they can damage the mask and leave behind unwanted residue.
  • You can use a 50/50 mixture of warm water and vinegar to clean your CPAP machine if you choose to go the more natural route.
  • Rinse the parts thoroughly with warm water and lay them on a flat surface on top of a towel to dry.
  • After all the parts are dry, it’s safe to reassemble your freshly cleaned CPAP machine.
  • In addition to cleaning the mask and tubes, use a soft, damp cloth with warm water to wipe down the outside of the device.

Now that you know the basics of cleaning your CPAP equipment, you might have some questions.

Should I clean CPAP filters?

If your CPAP machine has a disposable air filter, they should be replaced every month, depending on what the manufacturer recommends. However, the filters should be washed once a week in between changings. You can follow the same protocol as the rest of the CPAP machine by washing it with warm water, allowing it to air dry and then putting it back into the device.

How do I sanitize my CPAP machine?

While cleaning is important to maintaining the integrity of your machine, it’s not the same as sanitizing the device. Cleaning will get rid of any excess oils or residues, but sanitizing will help eliminate bacteria that can cause harmful infections or potential illnesses like pneumonia or bronchitis. CPAP sanitizers can help with sanitizing the machine; however, sanitation machines do not take the place of weekly cleanings.

There are plenty of sanitation options currently available for CPAP users.

How do I know when my hoses and filters are dirty?

Discoloration is a telltale sign that CPAP hoses and filters need to be cleaned. Filters will quickly show any dust, dirt, dander or pet hair, as the disposable filters are typically white and discolor easily. Hoses and tubing, on the other hand, do not discolor very easily but can develop discolored spots from hard mineral water. Regular cleaning should help you avoid this, but it could happen regardless.

It is more likely that your hoses will become cloudy (rather than discolored) when regularly exposed to hard mineral water. These minerals can compromise the integrity of the tubing, so be sure to check for holes that will let in unfiltered air.

Though you should never experience this with regular cleanings of your CPAP equipment, any slime or buildup is an obvious sign the hoses and/or filters are dirty. Such a dire situation warrants an immediate replacement of the tubing or air filter. 

What else do I need to properly clean my CPAP machine?

Aside from the traditional cleaning supplies, there are also CPAP wipes, hose cleaners, mask and hose soap, CPAP disinfectant cleaning solution and other options available to sleep apnea patients. If you’re looking for something in particular, we can point you in the right direction.

Take Control of Your Sleep!

Sleep Apnea is frustrating! Getting the CPAP supplies you need isn’t with our amazing monthly plans that come with the name brand full-face CPAP mask of your choice plus free tubing, free filters, free cushions and free shipping! Plans start at just $25/month. Put your CPAP on autopilot today and … Leave the rest of to us!™ 30-day Fitmask™ Guarantee!

F.A.Q.

Answers to customer's frequently asked questions

Monthly CPAP Club is a new approach to delivering a regular and scheduled shipment of all your CPAP supplies for one low monthly cost.

We charge you a small monthly free and deliver a fresh CPAP mask, tubes, filters and cushions to your door every 3 months.

We work with the major manufacturers to provide a selection of the most popular CPAP masks, cushions, tubing, filters and other accessories.

You get one shipment with all the CPAP supplies you’ll need for the next three months and you just pay one low, monthly payment.

Monthly CPAP Club lets you know when it’s time to change your filters, clean your mask and tubing. Three months after your first order, we’ll let you know (via email) that it’s time to replace your CPAP supplies, and we will ship out a package with a replacement mask, tubing, and filters for your CPAP machine, all including in your monthly fee.

Every package allows you to choose your preferred style of CPAP mask and the brand, make and model you prefer. You have the choice of standard tubing or heated tubing. You have the option for extended tubing options with heated tubing. Every package also includes cushions for the mask and filters for your machine

We need to know which CPAP breathing machine you use so we can send you the correct filters. Filters are specific to machines. 

If you don’t see your CPAP breathing machine model listed, please contact us at sales@monthlycpapclub.com.  Please include the make and model of CPAP breathing machine you use. 

We do support many machines. The most popular machines are listed right now and more will be added as we grow.

In the mean time, let us know which machines you use so we get you the correct filters.

Monthly CPAP Club currently offers Resmed, Respironics, and Fisher & Paykel CPAP products. We can accommodate certain other brands when requested by email. Please let us know by emailing us at sales@monthlycpapclub.com or submit a request online.

Our goal at Monthly CPAP Club is to offer all the necessary CPAP supplies for good sleep hygiene in simple, scheduled quarterly shipments.

We want the program to be even easier for the end user to afford with a monthly payment.

When you sign up for a package with Monthly CPAP Club, you will be charged the monthly package amount ranging from $30 and up, depending on your preferences.

We will ship out a package within 1 business day of your order with all the CPAP supplies you’ll need to properly treat your sleep apnea with clean and effective supplies.

The next scheduled shipment for your account will commence 3 months after your initial first shipment. We’ll send you an email your next delivery is on the way.

The best part about Monthly CPAP Club for those living with sleep apnea is that CPAP supplies are one less thing you’ll have to regularly order, schedule or pick up. We ship you the supplies you’ll need for the next three months and ship you another package in three months will all new and fresh CPAP supplies.

We do sell most of the popular and newest CPAP machines. Although we do not list many of the machines on our Monthly CPAP Club site, we can process orders for machines via email for existing subscribers and over the phone for new users.

Join The Club

Getting started is easy. Just click the button below. Choose your supplies, customize your plan and we’ll send your CPAP supplies straight to you! So take a load off and leave the rest to us!