Equipment Cleaning
Mask
Wash your mask daily because natural body oils on your face can wear down the mask, which can cause a poor mask-to-face seal.
- Remove the headgear from the mask.
- Wash the mask in warm soapy water.
- Rinse the mask under running water.
- Shake off excess water.
- Place the mask on a clean hand towel to air-dry or use the hand towel to dry the mask.
Once a week, after washing the mask in soapy water, soak the mask in vinegar water (one part white vinegar and three parts warm water) for 30 minutes. Then follow steps 3 to 5.
Nasal Pillows
Wash daily.
- Remove the nasal pillows from the gray or blue shell.
- Wash the nasal pillows in warm soapy water.
- Rinse the nasal pillows under running water.
- Shake off excess water.
- Place the nasal pillows on a clean hand towel to air-dry or use the hand towel to dry the nasal pillows.
Humidifier
Wash daily. Water or moisture that sits in the humidifier when not in use readily begins to grow mold and fungal material. When these are blown with pressure through your nose, it can trigger allergies, rhinitis (clear, runny nose), and congestion. This makes tolerating CPAP difficult.
- Empty remaining distilled water from the humidifier.
- Wash humidifier reservoir in the dishwasher if the humidifier instruction manual says it is safe to do so and you have a dishwasher. Otherwise, follow steps 3 to 6.
- Wash the inside of the humidifier with warm soapy water.
- Rinse the inside of the humidifier thoroughly.
- Pour out excess water.
- Use a clean hand towel to wipe the outside of the humidifier and allow the inside of the humidifier to air-dry.
Once a week, after washing the inside of the humidifier with soapy water, pour vinegar water (one part white vinegar and three parts warm water) into the humidifier. After 30 minutes, pour out the vinegar water. Then follow steps 4 to 6.
Please Note:
Read your humidifier’s instruction manual, as some manufacturers do not recommend using this procedure because vinegar may degrade the humidifier’s metal parts.
- ResMed S8: OK to use vinegar
- Fisher & Paykel 604/608: OK to use vinegar
Tubing
Wash weekly.
- Separate tubing from the CPAP unit and mask or nasal pillows.
- Wash the tubing in warm soapy water.
- Soak the tubing in vinegar water (one part white vinegar and three parts warm water) for 30 minutes.
- Rinse the tubing under running water.
- Shake off excess water.
- Allow tubing to air-dry by hanging it so that water will drain out. Tubing also can be dried by reattaching it to the CPAP unit and turning the unit on for several minutes.
These instructions are a guide for cleaning your CPAP equipment. Refer to the instruction manual that comes with your equipment for specific manufacturer recommendations.
Supplies Needed:
- Mild liquid dish detergent (for example, Ivory or Joy)
- Sink or basin
- Clean hand towel
- Device to hang tubing (for example, shower bar, towel rack, or back of a chair)
- Distilled water for humidifier
- White vinegar
Headgear
Wash weekly.
- Close the Velcro tabs so that they do not accumulate lint from the drying towel.
- Hand wash the headgear in warm soapy water. Do not wash the headgear in the clothes washer.
- Place the headgear on a clean hand towel to air-dry or use the hand towel to dry the headgear. Do not dry the headgear in the clothes dryer.
Washable Machine Filters
Wash weekly when cleaning tubing.
- Remove the filter from the CPAP unit.
- Wash the filter in warm soapy water.
- Rinse the filter under running water.
- Squeeze out excess water or press filter in a clean hand towel.
- Allow the filter to air-dry. Keep filter out of direct sunlight.
- Do not reinstall filter until it is completely dry.
Disposable Machine Filters
Check monthly (more often if needed, for example, if your CPAP unit is in a dusty room or you have a house pet).
- Remove the filter from the CPAP unit.
- If obviously dusty, replace it. Do not attempt to clean a disposable machine filter.
CPAP Unit
- Remove household dust from the CPAP unit by wiping it with a damp cloth.
- Do not place liquids on top of the CPAP unit.