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CPAP machines serve an important purpose for many people, but when the time comes to clean it, some questions need to be answered. Equipment sanitization is vital as failing to remove bacteria can cause colds or congestion and may lead to more serious medical complications. Along with issues on the mask side, the water reservoir can collect moisture, forming mold and becoming a habitat for germs. The right sanitizer will free you of this worry, but that leaves you with the ultimate question: which CPAP cleaner should you use? There are three primary options that we’re going to cover today: SoClean 2, Lumin, and VirtuCLEAN. Now you have the names, but which one should you trust with the care of your CPAP machine?
SoClean 2 – The CPAP Cleaner You’ve Been Looking For?
Price: $319
Clean Time: 10 Minutes
As someone new to CPAP cleaning machines you will be glad to know that the SoClean 2 is safe and natural, using activated oxygen to remove many different contaminants from the unit including:
- Germs
- Bacteria
- Mold
- Viruses
Perhaps the most attractive part of the SoClean 2 is the fact that you don’t need to disassemble your CPAP to use it and there is no water required, meaning you don’t have to wait for your CPAP components to dry. The entire assembly consists of a chamber that you place your CPAP equipment in and it’s ready in just ten minutes. Two downsides to the SoClean 2 are that you must first prewash your CPAP equipment and you need to purchase a new filter every six months to the tune of $30.
Lumin CPAP Cleaner
Price: $249
Clean Time: 5 Minutes
Operating like the SoClean 2, the Lumin uses no water, but this is where the similarities end. Instead of using activated oxygen, or ozone, the Lumin cleaner contains an ultraviolet light that kills bacteria, mold, fungus, and all manner of other specimens that may have infected your machine. Unlike SoClean 2, the Lumin manages to finish its cleaning cycle within just five minutes. Also, another selling point is that you can use the Lumin to clean other household items as long as they fit inside the machine.
The shorter cleaning cycle is accompanied by the fact that the device does not require any replacement parts or maintenance. You can replace the bulb if you wish, but it is designed to last throughout the lifetime of the Lumin.
VirtuCLEAN CPAP and Mask Cleaner/Sanitizer
Price: $169
Clean Time: 1 Hour
VirtuCLEAN works like the SoClean 2 in that it uses ozone to eliminate mold and bacteria. The most significant difference is the smaller profile and the fact that it takes two thirty–minute stages to complete the cleaning process fully as you must clean your CPAP hose/mask and humidifier separately, placing both inside a VirtuCLEAN bag to do so. Other than the bags, there are no replacement parts for the VirtuCLEAN, meaning you can continue using it throughout its life cycle without spending money on filters. The problem that you might run into is the replacement bags which cost up to $70 apiece, making them as pricey as the filters for other units.
Winner: Lumin
Between SoClean 2, Lumin or VirtuCLEAN the choice depends on how much money you want to spend and how much time you feel you should spend cleaning. VirtuCLEAN takes a little longer, and the SoClean 2 requires a filter while Lumin has no parts to replace and has a far shorter cleaning cycle. While the decision ultimately lies in your hands, it is our opinion that Lumin wins out over the others due to the ease of cleaning and the minimal investment required over the years. No matter which one you choose, know that CPAP sanitization is of the utmost importance for your well–being and to help extend the life of your machine.
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