1 in 3 People Don't Clean and Care for Their CPAP Machine Properly - Here's How You Do It
It’s no secret that sleep apnea comes with its fair share of challenges, and the upkeep of your CPAP machine is part of the deal. Aside from the obvious benefits of letting you get better sleep, caring for your equipment is important in order to maintain its longevity and keep costs down. Who wants to pay to replace parts more often than they need to?
Fortunately, upkeep for a CPAP machine is as easy as making a few quick tweaks to your daily routine using materials you probably already have at home. Whether it’s your mask, humidification chamber or filters, this guide will take you through the best practices so your CPAP machine will be in tip-top shape for as long as you need it.
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!
Why Do I Need to Clean my CPAP Machine?
The short answer is that you’re directly breathing the air coming from the CPAP machine, and clean air is the key to high quality sleep. By keeping your filters fresh and the machine clean and dry, you’ll avoid potential dangers and problems.
Bacteria and mold thrive in moist environments, which means both could grow in your CPAP machine if it’s not cared for. For you, this means exposure to those growths and possible increased risk for allergy symptoms, sinus infections or pneumonia. It would also impart a foul odor onto your equipment, which would likely lead to infrequent or discontinued use. Your CPAP machine would also see premature equipment breakdown and, in some cases, voided warranty.
It’s a good idea in general to prioritize upkeep for all your healthcare-related equipment, but this is especially the case for CPAP machines.
How Often Do I Need to Clean my CPAP Machine?
Many equipment manufacturers recommend daily cleaning of your CPAP mask, tubing and water chamber with weekly cleaning of the non-disposable filter and humidifier. The disposable filters should be replaced monthly, and the reusable ones should be replaced every six months or when they start to look worn. If you live in a dusty environment or with pets, you might want to clean and replace the filters more often. Also, be sure to do a full clean if during and right after being sick.
What Will I Need?
Here is your checklist for cleaning your CPAP machine:
- CPAP equipment (mask, headgear, tubing, humidifier, water chamber, CPAP machine)
- Soft cloth/towel
- Warm water, distilled or sterilized if possible
- Dish soap, preferably mild and unscented
- Small sink, tub, or basin
- Vinegar
You’ve probably seen advertisements for CPAP-specific cleaners, cleaning cloths or cleaning machines. While all provided the added value of convenience and peace of mind, you won’t be putting your health at risk if you don’t use them.
Daily Cleaning
Add these steps to your morning routine so your CPAP equipment has ample time to air dry. First, unplug the machine to avoid electric shock and remove the water chamber carefully so as not to let water get into the machine. Wash out the chamber with soapy water and rinse thoroughly before letting air dry. Repeat the wash-and-rinse step for the mask and tubing, and include the headgear as needed. You can also let these pieces of equipment soak in the soapy water (with or without vinegar) for up to 30 minutes before rinsing. Let everything air dry completely on a clean towel or by hanging over a shower or towel rod before reassembling the machine at night.
Weekly Cleaning
Humidifiers require a bit more attention, and it’s recommended that you clean them with distilled or sterilized water. Tap water, or even filtered water such as Brita-treated water, can calcify inside your machine and break it down faster. Let the chamber soak in a solution of one part vinegar and three parts water before rinsing and air drying. For the reusable filter, simply rinse it with water and allow it to air dry completely.
More Tips
There is perhaps too much information in each machine’s user manual, but don’t discount it. The manual will tell you if there are any parts of your equipment that are dishwasher safe, if you can clean with vinegar or if the manufacturers recommend anything in regards to the machine’s upkeep.
In general, avoid bleach and direct sunlight when cleaning your CPAP machine, and try to not apply facial oils and moisturizers at night, which can break down your mask.
Finally, remember that practice makes perfect, so don’t be discouraged if your first few cleans don’t go as smoothly as you hoped. Just like using your machine, it’s something to get used to and will improve your quality of life.
Clean Air = Better Sleep
Like anything else, you get what you give with CPAP therapy, so why not reap the rewards? Maintaining your CPAP machine is as easy as a daily bath (just like the hygiene you practice for yourself) and less frequent cleanings and replacements. Give yourself the gift of quality sleep by following this guide so you can avoid a nightmare scenario.
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!
F.A.Q.
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!