Benefits of Good CPAP Cleaning

A CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) used to treat obstructive sleep apnea is a small machine designed to supply a constant and steady air pressure. The CPAP machine consists of a hose and a mask or a nose piece. In order to ensure best CPAP treatment results and good health, you need to do a good CPAP cleaning almost daily. It is known that bacteria can grow whenever moisture is present and to prevent this, good CPAP cleaning is a must.

Benefits of good CPAP cleaning include:

• Prevent respiratory tract infection - bacteria and germ can lead to this, thus make sure do a good CPAP cleaning;

• Prolong the service life of your CPAP equipment - the oils in your skin and the minerals in tap water can cause premature breakdown of the materials your CPAP equipment, particularly your mask is made out of;

• Better performance - Make sure your hose is clean at all times to ensure impeccable performance. Remove the dirt and grime that builds up in your CPAP hose, so the air can flow easily.

If you are asking yourself what is the easiest and most convenient way to sanitize your CPAP equipment and ensure good CPAP cleaning, here's what you need to know. It is best to make a cleaning schedule and stick to it. First of all, before you begin the cleaning make sure your hands are clean. Use warm water and antibacterial soap to wash well, especially between your fingers and both the back and the palms of your hands. Rinse and dry before touching your CPAP equipment to ensure good CPAP cleaning.

Daily cleaning schedule - Tubes, nasal mask or pillows and headgear. Place everything into a sink with warm water and a mild dish detergent and agitate for approximately 5 minutes. Rinse well with warm water and leave to dry.

Weekly cleaning schedule - Clean filters once a week. Rinse the filter under running water, squeezing the filter to eliminate all the dust. To remove most of the moisture, blot the filter with a clean towel. It’s recommended to replace your filter at least once a year. If the filter is disposable, it should be replaced once a month.

Humidifier - Clean with warm soapy water and rinse thoroughly. To disinfect, place 1 part vinegar and 3 to 5 parts water in clean humidifier. Leave it for 30 minutes and rinse thoroughly.

It is highly recommended to check you machine once a year, to ensure the pressure is set correctly and everything is working properly.