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Keeping your CPAP equipment sanitized and tidy ensures optimal health and function
If you are using Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) for the first time, there is always a degree of conflicting information. Typically, after learning about the diagnosis, you are sent to a private firm or supplier of reliable medical equipment to acquire a CPAP machine and other similar products.
At this time, directions should be given on how to clean or disinfect the equipment. In case you skipped it, here are few clear step-by-step guidelines on how to clean CPAP to protect your system and health with no need for a costly sanitizer, and why you should not forget to clean your CPAP.
Why Clean Your CPAP?
First, take a minute to understand the value of keeping your CPAP clean. You breathe the air that circulates in the system directly. Although the air is humidified, filtered, and purified, it should be kept as clean as possible.
Cleaning can help to prevent possible hazards and complications, including the following:
- Exposure to bacteria
- Potentially elevated risk of sinus infections or pneumonia
- Exposure to mold
- Bad odor
- Premature failure of the appliance
- Allergies
- Nullifying the warranty of the device
If cleaning is so necessary, how is it meant to be done? Luckily, it can be done reasonably quickly and at little no cost.
How Often do you Clean Your CPAP?
Your equipment supplier or sleep medicine doctor can prescribe cleaning your equipment regularly. Regular washing of masks, tubing, and water chambers is also recommended by long-lasting surgical equipment vendors and manufacturers. This can sound unnecessary but it’s essential in keeping the chance of fungus or mold damage very low.
For maximum sanitation, it is advised that the appliances be washed at least weekly.
If you are ill with an upper respiratory tract infection, you might want to clean up your equipment at this time. It is therefore advised that you should not share the equipment with anyone, since this can cause an illness.
Supplies You Need in Cleaning your CPAP
Assemble the gear:
- CPAP equipment complete with tubing, headgear, humidifier, water chambers, mask.
- Soft cloth;
- Hot water
- Mild antibacterial soap
- Shallow sink or basin
- Towel
Cleaning Steps for CPAP
Follow these instructions to a safer CPAP device. Ideally, these objects should be washed every day, but attempt to do so at least regularly.
Disassembling the CPAP:
- Disconnect your CPAP machine from its power supply, since there could be a chance of electrocution when you do not.
- Disconnect the mask from the CPAP tubing.
- When the mask is having headgear, remove it.
- Where other items can be quickly reassembled, they can still be separated.
- Detach the CPAP tubing from either connector, moisturizer output, or if it is directly attached to the CPAP, remove it.
- If you have one, detach the water chamber and separate it from the humidifier system of the CPAP machine and, if present, split it into its parts (and if this is easily done).
Wipe the external surface:
- Take a microfiber cloth and moisten it with hot water.
- Carefully clean the outside surface of the CPAP system to clear particles. (Once again, make sure it is unplugged before cleaning.)
Soak up the parts
- Fill a shallow pool, bathtub, or basin with warm water.
- Apply mild dish soap. Some people use vinegar in the bath (diluted to a 1:1 mixture of water), but this is optional.
- Immerse the helmet, headgear, tubing, and any connections in the warm soapy water.
- Wash the mask with a washcloth and warm water and swish the soapy water into the tubing or allow it to soak in the water for about 30 minutes.
- You should just let them dry naturally on a towel or by hanging
Reassemble:
- When all parts have been able to dry by air, reassemble the different pieces.
- Add the headgear to the mask, tie the mask back to the tubing and any connectors, and link the tubing back to the humidifier or directly to the CPAP unit.
- Switch the system on briefly to listen to any air escapes that have not been made before.
Humidifier
- Clean the humidifier every week.
- The water chamber of the humidifier should be washed with hot water and soft soap.
- Allow it to dry naturally in the air.
- Preferably, the humidifier should be washed weekly.
Just remember to place the bottled water in the humidifier. If you don’t, there is an increased chance of sickness as well as the possibility that hard minerals will develop on your machinery.
A Word from Best CPAP Cleaner
The risks involved with CPAP therapy are limited, but maintaining your equipment sterile with these guidelines can help maintain your long-term health and benefit from therapy. Don’t spend your money on a heavily marketed cleaner or sanitizer that contributes nothing to the protection or cleanliness of your CPAP machine. Consult with the Best CPAP Cleaner at Coral Springs, Florida, or call us today at (855) 275-8951 to learn how to assemble, use, clean and sanitize your CPAP Cleaning Machine.
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