How to Properly Clean and Maintain Your CPAP Machine
Sleep apnea is an issue that afflicts roughly 25 million people in the United States right now. It’s an issue that is on the rise, with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy becoming more commonplace. Sleep study centers are also growing in popularity.
If you’re living with sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine, you’ll need to understand some cleaning tips that’ll serve you well. These tips will help you when you want to get the best out of your CPAP machine by cleaning and maintaining it.
Use Mild Soap and Pure Water
First, what materials should you use to clean your CPAP machine? The main thing you will need is mild soap and some pure water. Get your hands on some bottled drinking water that you can use to clean your CPAP machine.
This lets you know that the water is free of contaminants that would leave traces. The reason this is important is that you use the machine for your breathing and don’t want to damage or compromise your respiratory system. Using pure water and gentle soap will prevent irritation and infection. You can browse cpapwater.com for an example of pure water that is useful.
Set Your Cleaning Schedule
Next, make sure that you set a cleaning schedule for your CPAP machine. There are a few different cleaning points that you should stick to every day, week, and periodically.
For daily cleaning, thoroughly wipe down your mask and make sure that you wash your face before putting a mask on. Get your hands on some baby wipes and avoid using bleach wipes or any other harsh rags.
On a weekly basis, give your CPAP machine a deep cleaning. You can do this in your tub or a container to make sure you’re getting into the nooks and crannies. Let your mask air dry on a towel and take the time to thoroughly clean the filter.
Stick to your cleaning schedules so that your CPAP machine is always taken care of.
Avoid Harsh Products and Get Your CPAP Inspected
The most important thing you can do is avoid using any products that can damage the CPAP machine or irritate your nasal passages, throat, and airways. Stay away from bleach, alcohol, or detergents.
Using gentler products might take a little more time but it’ll be well worth it in the long run. Hire the help of a CPAP specialist to inspect your machine periodically. By having them take a look at all of the parts and making sure that they are working correctly, you will avoid blockages and malfunctions.
They can also sell you a CPAP machine maintenance plan which will make sure that every detail is looked after. The inspection will let you know when it’s time to repair or replace your machine and when you should buy new CPAP accessories.
CPAP Machine Cleaning 101
These tips are useful for anyone looking to clean their CPAP machine correctly. Since this machine protects your life and health and lets you get a good night’s sleep, leave no stone unturned when it comes to taking care of it.
Check out our other articles if you’d like to learn more tips on caring for your sleep apnea issues.