Maintaining your CPAP equipment is a must to ensure the longevity of your very expensive investment and reducing the potential for bacterial buildup and, ultimately, illness.
Clean all of the parts that contact your face daily. This can be accomplished quickly and easily added to your morning routine. Fill a clean sink with warm (not hot) water and add a small amount of detergent. Swish around all washable mask components (except for the headgear), including short hoses and elbows, in the soapy water a few times, rinse, shake off the excess water and air dry on a clean towel.
I also use CleanSmart CPAP Disinfectant Spray on my facemask parts by spraying all surfaces, shaking off the excess and letting them air dry. This disinfectant/sanitizer breaks down into saline as it dries, leaving no chemical residues or bad smells behind. I use this or a CareTouch CPAP Cleaning Wipe about every other day. Both of these products were recommended to me by my brother, are inexpensive, and last a long time.
Use the same soaking/washing procedure to wash the air supply hose at least once a week. Rinse thoroughly and hang it over your shower head or on a coat hanger from your shower curtain rod to drain and air dry. If you use a heated hose, follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for cleaning the hose.
Wash your CPAP machine’s reusable air filter in warm, soapy water weekly, rinse thoroughly, squeeze out excess water, pat with a clean towel, and let it air dry. If your machine uses a disposable filter, replace it once a month. If you live in an arid or dusty region, if you or anyone in your home smokes, or pet hair is a common problem in your home, you should replace the filter about every other week. I bought a dozen filters for less than $10 when I found them on sale. Once opened, I stored them in a resealable plastic bag. Never run your CPAP machine without a filter. Dust, hair, and other debris drawn into your machine can collect, damage the fan and motor, and also be forced into your airway.
Use a lightly damp cloth or a CPAP cleaning wipe to clean the exterior of your CPAP machine and the air hose connection ports once a week. Also wipe off any seals/gaskets where the humidifier attaches to the CPAP machine and let it air dry.
Refer to your CPAP machine’s operating manual for their prescribed maintenance and replacement regimine, but the table below is what I’ve found are average suggestions for most equipment. – by Matt Lindler (a.k.a. CPAP Matt)
Suggested CPAP Maintenance Schedule
| Equipment | Clean | Replace |
|---|---|---|
| Facemasks Cushions Nasal Pillows Short Tubes | Daily • Wash, rinse and air dry. • Use only a mild, dish detergent or CPAP cleaner. • Spray-and-leave disinfectants and CPAP wipes may also be used. | Every 3-6 months as needed. Sooner if damaged. |
| Humidifier Reservoir | Daily • Wash, rinse and air dry. • Use only a mild, scent-free or CPAP-specific detergent. • Mineral buildup can be removed by soaking with a solution of 1 cup vinegar to 2 cups water for 30 minutes then rinsed. | When cracks or leaks appear. |
| Air Supply Hose | Weekly • Wash, rinse and air dry. • Hang over shower head to drain and dry. | Every 3-6 months as needed. Sooner if damaged. |
| Filter(s) | Weekly • Wash reusable filters weekly, squeeze, pat and air dry. | Replace non-washable filters monthly unless in dusty or smokey environments, then replace twice a month. |
| CPAP machine body | Monthly • Wipe with soft lightly damp cloth to remove dust. • Use a CPAP cleaning wipe to clean hose connections and let air dry. | Should last years if well maintained. |
| Headgear | Only as necessary • Too much washing will reduce elasticity and degrade materials. | When damaged or starting to deteriorate. |
Matt's CPAP Journey 