How to Clean a CPAP

With a little care and maintenance, you can keep your CPAP machine clean and functional for years. Every morning, you should hand wash the mask with a mild soap. Give the mask, headgear, and tubing a weekly bath. Hang the tube to allow all water inside of it to drip and dry. If your CPAP has a humidifier, empty and wash its chamber daily, and sanitize it every two weeks. Check your CPAP machine’s parts at least monthly for deterioration, and replace them when they’re worn or as covered by your insurance.

Method 1 - Cleaning Your CPAP Mask Daily

1

→ Disassemble your headgear. Separate your mask from the headgear by detaching the arms that secure it to the outer frame and fabric backstrap. Then gently pull the mask away from the ring that connects it to the tube.

→ Check your machine’s user guide for more specific instructions on disassembly.

2

→ Hand wash the mask with soapy water. Wet the mask under running warm water. Use your hands to lather it with a mild soap, then rinse well until you’ve removed all soapy residue.

→ You can use hand soap or baby shampoo, but be sure that your choice of soap doesn’t contain moisturizers. Avoid products that contain bleach, ammonia, or alcohol.

→ Check your user guide for any further warnings about cleaning products you should avoid.

3

→ Air dry your mask after washing. After rinsing, shake as much water off of the mask as you can. Lay the mask out on a clean towel or flat surface to air dry. Choose an area away from direct sunlight to dry your mask.

4

→ Consider using CPAP mask wipes. It’s perfectly fine to use mild soap and water to clean your CPAP mask every morning. However, you could also purchase CPAP mask wipes online or at your sleep center. Instead of washing your mask, you’d simply wipe it down then let it air dry for a minute or two.

→ You can purchase a canister of 62 wipes online for around $10 (US).

Method 2 - Cleaning Your Equipment Weekly

1

→ Give the mask, tubing, and headgear a weekly bath. Disassemble the mask, frame, fabric backstrap, and tubing. Fill a clean sink or wash basin with warm water and a few drops of mild soap. Submerge your equipment in the sink or basin, gently swish them around with your hand, and let them soak for five minutes.

→ When you have a cold or flu, you should wash all of your equipment daily until your symptoms are gone.

2

→ Use a tube cleaning brush. You can use a soft bristle brush to remove or prevent mold and bacterial growth inside the tube. Use a soft baby bottle brush or look online or at your sleep center for a specially designed CPAP tube cleaning brush.

→ Gently rub the tube’s interior with the brush and be careful not to cut through the delicate material between the coils.  

3

→ Hang tubing to ensure water drips out. You can just air dry your mask and headgear on a towel, but you must hang your tubing to dry it. Shake off excess water and manually dry the exterior with a towel. Hang the tube on the shower rod, hook, hanger, or a laundry rack to make sure all the water drips out.

4

→ Wipe down the non-disposable filter. Many CPAP machines come with two filters: a non-disposable, grey or black foam filter and white, fine replaceable filter. Remove the grey or black foam filter and hand wash it with warm water and mild soap. Squeeze excess water out of it, blot it with a dry towel, then let it air dry.

→ Don’t wash the white fine filter. Replace it monthly or when it appears discolored. Replace the grey or black filter at least yearly.

5

→ Reassemble your machine and check for leaks. Put your mask, headgear, and tubing back together when they're dry. Fix the headgear frame and backstrap to the mask, reattach the mask to the tube, and connect the tube to the humidifier or CPAP machine. Turn the machine on and listen for any leaks that weren't there before cleaning.

→ Check your user manual for more specific information about reassembling your machine.

→ Have your equipment provider check your machine if you hear any leaks or if you use it and don't think it's working correctly.

Method 3 - Caring for a Humidifier

1

→ Wash out the humidifier tub after each use. Empty out any unused water from the humidifier chamber each morning. Hand wash the tub with a mild soap and warm distilled water. Rinse it well to remove all soapy residue, then let it air dry on a clean towel away from direct sunlight.

2

→ Disinfect the tub every two weeks. Every other week, give your humidifier tub a sanitizing bath in a vinegar and distilled water solution. Mix together one part vinegar and five parts distilled water and soak your tub in the solution for 30 minutes. Rinse it well, then let it air dry away from direct sunlight.

→ Using distilled water for the soaking solution will help cut down mineral deposits, which can damage your machine.