How to Clean Your CPAP: A Daily and Weekly Schedule

Why cleaning matters

Your mask sits on your skin all night, and your tubing and water chamber stay warm and damp. Facial oils break down cushions and cause leaks, mineral deposits build up in the chamber, and anything left damp can grow mold or bacteria. A simple routine prevents all of this.

Daily

• Mask cushion or pillows: wipe or wash with warm water and mild, fragrance-free soap, rinse well and let air dry out of direct sunlight. Some manufacturers suggest unscented pre-moistened wipes as a daily option.
• Water chamber: empty leftover water each morning, rinse, and leave it to air dry. Refill with fresh water at night.
• Wash your face before bed to reduce oils on the cushion.

Weekly

• Wash the whole mask, including the frame, and the headgear (by hand, following the instructions, and let it dry completely).
• Wash the tubing in warm soapy water, rinse well and hang it to dry.
• Wash the water chamber thoroughly. Check your manual for whether it is dishwasher safe.
• Check the air filter. Disposable filters should be replaced if dirty and on schedule; reusable ones can be rinsed and dried as directed.

What to avoid

Follow your machine's manual. Manufacturers commonly warn against cleaning with bleach, alcohol, chlorine, products with strong scents or essential oils, and moisturising or antibacterial soaps, which can damage parts or leave residues you then breathe in. Never wash parts in very hot water unless the manual allows it, and do not put the machine itself in water. Wipe the outside of the machine with a damp cloth only, with it unplugged.

The FDA warning on ozone and UV cleaners

In 2020, the FDA issued a safety communication about devices that claim to clean or disinfect CPAP equipment using ozone gas or ultraviolet (UV) light. The FDA said these products were not legally marketed for that purpose in the United States, so their safety and effectiveness were unknown. It noted reports of coughing, breathing difficulty, headaches and asthma attacks linked to ozone products, and warned that ozone at high levels can worsen chronic lung disease. For UV products, it noted possible risks of exposure to UV light and that the light may not reach every surface. The FDA recommended following the manufacturer's cleaning instructions, which usually mean soap and water.

Separately, Philips said ozone cleaning could worsen breakdown of the foam involved in its 2021 recall, and some manufacturers note that using these devices may affect your warranty. If you want to use a cleaning device, check your manual and talk to your provider first.

Signs your routine needs a refresh

A musty smell, visible spots or slime in the tube or chamber, cloudy chamber water, a cushion that feels slick or sticky, or new sinus or chest symptoms are all prompts to deep clean, replace parts, and check in with your provider.