CPAP Cleaning Tips: A Step-By-Step Maintenance Guide
When you initially begin to use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for sleep apnea, there is often a diploma of information overload. After learning about the diagnosis, you're usually delivered to a private company or provider of durable medical equipment to obtain a CPAP machine and other associated items.
At the moment, instructions should be given on the best way to clean this equipment. In case you missed it, below are a few simple step-by-step instructions on the best way to clean CPAP to keep your device and health without needing a costly sanitizer device, and why you shouldn't neglect cleaning your CPAP.1
Why to Clean Your CPAP
First, take a moment to take into account the importance of keeping the CPAP equipment clean. You're directly breathing the air that's circulated through the machine. The air is humidified and filtered, but it must be kept as clean as possible.
Cleaning can help to avoid potential dangers and problems, including the next:
Bacteria exposure2 Mold exposure Allergy symptoms Possible increased risk for sinus infections or pneumonia Musty or bad smell Mineralization within the gear Premature equipment breakdown Voiding the unit warranty
If cleaning is really important, how should it be achieved? Fortunately, it can be accomplished relatively easily at little expense. How Often to Clean Your CPAP
Your equipment provider or sleep medicine physician may recommend routine cleaning of one's equipment. Daily cleaning of the mask, tubing, and water chamber is frequently suggested by durable medical equipment suppliers and manufacturers.2 This might seem excessive. Fortunately, the risk of any type of infection or mold exposure is extraordinarily low.
For optimal hygiene, it's recommended that the equipment be cleaned at least on a weekly basis.
If you should be sick with an upper respiratory infection, you may want to clean up the equipment at this time. It's further recommended that you not share the gear with others as this may cause contamination to be shared.