Cleaning Tips
What parts do I need to clean?
You will need to clean the PAP device, humidifier chamber, tubing, and mask or nasal pillows. Air filters for the PAP device may need to be replaced and/or cleaned on a regular basis as well.
When and how do I clean my PAP device and supplies?
The PAP device and supplies should be cleaned with warm soapy water using mild dish detergent or baby shampoo or a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water. After washing, rinse thoroughly with fresh warm water and allow to air dry away from direct sunlight or heat.
CPAP Device
After unplugging the power cord, wipe the outside of the device with a soft cloth on a weekly basis to remove any dirt or dust. Some manufacturers recommend a damp cloth while others recommend a dry cloth. Do not place the device in water.
Humidifier chamber
Every day, empty the distilled water from the humidifier chamber. Have a routine. Empty it when you wake up from sleep and refill the chamber with fresh distilled water before you
go to sleep again. Always use distilled water in the chamber to avoid any mineral deposits or build-up
in the chamber or PAP device. Once a week, wash the humidifier chamber. Do not place the chamber in
direct sunlight or expose it to a lot of heat to dry it, as the chamber could warp or crack. Some chambers
are top rack dishwasher safe, but you must check the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions carefully first.
Tubing
Once a week you should wash and rinse the tubing. After cleaning, hang the tubing over a towel
rack or shower curtain rod to thoroughly air dry.
Mask
Every day, wipe the cushion or nasal pillows with a damp cloth and a mild detergent to remove any body oil, sweat, or debris that may have built up while you were wearing it. There are mask cleaning wipes you can buy that are designed for use with PAP masks and nasal pillows and are safe to use. Baby wipes or household cleaning wipes are not recommended to use on your cushion or pillows. Once a week, you should take the whole mask or nasal pillows apart and wash, rinse, and air dry the mask before putting it back together.
Once a week, remove the headgear from the PAP mask or nasal pillows and hand wash it. Do not wash your headgear in a washing machine. You should then rinse and air dry the headgear before putting it back on the mask.
Filters
Some older PAP devices have a reusable pollen filter that looks like a small foam sponge. This
should be washed once a week. After rinsing, excess water should be squeezed out of the filter, it should
be allowed to air dry. The ultrafine white paper filter should not be washed. This filter is disposable and
should be replaced monthly or more often if it looks dusty or dirty.