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Cleaning your CPAP mask – including the tube, connectors, cushions, headgear and clips – can mean the difference between successful sleep apnea therapy and an unsuccessful one. CPAP hygiene is key for your general health as well. Not to mention that it will prolong the life of your expensive mask. Here’s a step-by-step guide as to how to clean your CPAP masks the right way.
CPAP Mask: Step by step cleaning
Disassemble the mask carefully before beginning the cleaning process itself, especially if you need to clean thoroughly the cushion and elbow.
- Gently detach the headgear from the mask;
- Wash the headgear under the sink with warm water and mild soap;
- Rinse the headgear and allow it to dry completely before reattaching it (let it dry the entire day if needed; it will be ready for the next time you go to sleep);
- Thoroughly clean the cushion with warm water, mild soap and a towel or a CPAP wipe. Remove all of the dirt and other debris inside it;
- Wipe the surfaces of the mask with CPAP wipes;
- Let it air dry fully.
Even with proper care your mask and headgear will probably need to be replaced after about a year.
What to you use to clean your mask?
| Mask & Mask Cushion | Tubing | Humidifier Chamber | Filters | |
| Mild Soap | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Water | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Vinegar | NO | YES | NO | YES |
Warm water and mild soap
To clean your masks properly and without damaging it, you can use a simple solution – mild soap. Probably the only thing you need to do the job right! The emphasis here is on mild. Synthetic soaps won’t do the tick as they contain higher concentrations of pH, which can cause skin irritation and even breakouts.
Mild soap is what you need for the task of cleaning your CPAP equipment as it is non-toxic and odorless. And, it will NOT damage the silicone parts of your mask, unlike strong synthetic soaps.
The mighty lord vinegar: king of salads and CPAP sanitization
It may sound strange, but vinegar is a mighty natural disinfectant that can terminate harmful germs and bacteria in and over your CPAP mask, inside the tubing, silicone cushions and even humidifier.
Towel or CPAP wipes
When warm water and mild soap are simply not enough to scrub away those oil spots and other dirt deposits over your masks, for example, you can use a towel or CPAP wipes to do that. Use a microfiber towel to avoid any lint particles remaining on your masks or tubing. You don’t want to inhale these later when you go to sleep and put your freshly cleaned CPAP mask on.
To clean or to replace?
In addition to regular cleaning it is highly recommended that your finally replace your CPAP mask when it’s time to do so. Most masks, tubings and filters should be replaced every three months and even sooner if you have been sick while using them.
You should replace your mask or mask part if you notice any deterioration such as tears or cracks over its surface. Structural damage over your mask cannot be repaired and it means that you should replace the mask or its damaged part as soon as possible to ensure its proper performance.
Inspect your CPAP equipment regularly. If you notice holes or blocked passages in the mask, replace it as soon as possible.
You can find any mask spare part and complete mask replacements in our store. If we don’t have the part you’re looking for, we will either find it for you, or offer a better (and cheaper) alternative.
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Please note that even with proper regular care and cleaning, your CPAP masks will eventually need to be replaced in about a year (depending on the specific mask model).
PRO TIPS
- Try to make cleaning your CPAP masks part of your morning routine. It doesn’t take long, it is very beneficial for your therapy, it keeps you safe and healthy, and it prolongs the life of your expensive CPAP equipment.
- Never use harsh chemicals, alcohol or bleach to clean your mask! (You can easily create a solution of vinegar and mild soap and water. That would be perfectly safe to use on your CPAP mask!)
- Keep your CPAP machine and masks away from sunlight to avoid damaging them.
- Set reminders for when you should replace your masks entirely as per the user guide.
The big DON’Ts
You should clean your mask daily but you should NOT use harsh chemicals, bleach, moisturizing soaps, scented oils or alcohol-based solutions when doing so!
The most effective manual way to clean your mask, mask hose, humidifier and filters is exactly with mild soap, warm water.
When you’re sick
Wash your mask, tubing, filter and even the humidifier if you are sick, especially if suffering from an upper respiratory infection such as the flu or COVID-19.
Are there machines that can clean your CPAP mask instead of you doing it manually?
Yes, not only are there dedicated CPAP mask cleaning machines, but they are also a very popular choice among sleep apnea patients. Manual cleaning will remove dirt and dust from the surface of the mask and hose, but may fail to sanitize the parts thoroughly, removing the rest of the dirt, oils, smoke or other harmful residues from deep inside the components.
The most popular models CPAP cleaning machines for 2023
This bestselling 3B Lumin CPAP Sanitizer CPAP sanitizer machine takes only 5 minutes to thoroughly clean your CPAP mask by terminating all the harmful bacteria and remove any dust or oil spots that have built inside your mask. Unlike CPAP cleaning machines that use ozone gas (or activated oxygen) to clean CPAP equipment (often voiding the manufacturer’s warrany doing so), the 3B Lumin CPAP Sanitizer uses UV (ultra-violet) light instead with the same – and even better – result.
SoClean CPAP cleaner machine
SoClean is a CPAP sanitizer devices that uses ozone gas to disinfect CPAP masks.
Read our article on how to clean Airsense 11 with SoClean and if it is a good idea here.