Regular cleaning and maintaining of your CPAP equipment can help keep bacteria at bay.
Spring is finally in the air across Canada, and in the spirit of the season, we’re sharing some spring cleaning tips for your CPAP machine, mask and accessories.
When you’re using your CPAP machine, you’re breathing air that has been re-circulated by your machine’s blower. To ensure this air is at its cleanest, it’s important to maintain and replace your CPAP equipment at the recommended intervals. Improperly caring for your CPAP equipment can put you at risk of sinus infection and pneumonia and increase your exposure to allergens, mold and bacteria.
Your CPAP equipment needs a little TLC to make sure it’s clean and working optimally. If you’re ever unsure how to clean your equipment, you can always check out the Snore MD website for handy how-to videos on how to use and maintain your CPAP equipment.
CPAP Mask Maintenance
The mask seal should be cleaned daily using a mild solution of dish soap and water. After washing, rinse the mask seal thoroughly with clean water and place it on a clean cloth or towel to air dry.
Every week, you should wash the rest of the mask (headgear, frame, hose) in a mild dish soap and water solution. Like the mask seal, rinse with clean water after washing and place on a clean towel or cloth to air dry.
CPAP masks are displayed at all Snore MD sleep apnea clinics
After a few months of use (4-6), the mask will break down, and no matter how much we wash them, they’ll start to trap things like bacteria and mold and become an infection risk. That’s why it’s important to replace your mask at the recommended intervals and why Snore MD’s Care For Life program includes free therapy and bi-annual equipment check-ins. If you have extended health benefits, they’ll likely cover some of the cost of replacing your mask every 6 months. Reach out to your Snore MD Dream Team to determine if your mask is ready to be replaced. We also offer a $100 mask trade-in discount towards purchasing a new mask when you bring in your used one.
Cleaning Your CPAP Hose and Humidifier
On a weekly basis, you should wash both your CPAP hose and humidifier. Like your mask, these too should be washed in a mild solution of dish soap and water, rinsed with clean water and left to air dry. Hang your hose up somewhere that allows it to drain while drying, and place a towel on the floor underneath it to absorb the droplets. Your humidifier chamber/tub should be left to air dry on a clean towel or cloth.
Replace both your CPAP hose and humidifier chamber/tub every 6-12 months. Like your mask, these plastics will also break down with use and create a breeding ground for bacterias and molds. All of these accessories are available for same-day purchase at any Snore MD sleep clinic.
Filters
Clean your filters weekly as per the manufacturer's recommendations. Check your machine’s manual or reach out to your nearest Snore MD clinic for more information on how to properly clean the filters for your specific CPAP device.
The filter in your CPAP machine should be replaced every 4-6 months to maintain proper functioning of the motor inside your machine. If you’re using a HEPA filter with your machine in addition to the standard cabin filter, they may have to be changed monthly.
An ozone cleaning device such as the Snore MD mini CPAP cleaner or the SoClean2 Automatic CPAP Cleaner are a great add on to your weekly cleaning routine. Both these devices use “Activated Oxygen” to sterilize your CPAP equipment. This is the same process hospitals use to sterilize medical equipment and has been safely used for decades.
Maintaining Your CPAP Machine
Use a clean, lightly dampened cloth to wipe down your machine weekly. Ensure that your device is fully unplugged before wiping down. We recommend replacing your CPAP device every 3-5 years. If you have extended health benefits, some or all of the cost of replacing your CPAP machine may be covered. In addition, Snore MD offers a fantastic $400 trade-in discount towards a new CPAP machine. As always, your Snore MD team is here to answer any questions you have about replacing your CPAP machine, mask or supplies.
We hope you enjoyed this guide to spring cleaning your CPAP equipment, and from everyone at Snore MD, we wish you a happy and hopeful spring!
CPAP machines are displayed for visitors to browse in Snore MD sleep apnea clinics
If you have any questions, reach out to your nearest Snore MD sleep clinic and speak with one of our sleep experts. Call us on 1.833.766.7363 or book an in-person or virtual appointment.