Continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP) uses a machine to help a person with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) breathe more easily during sleep. CPAP machines increase air pressure in your throat so that your airway won’t collapse when you breathe in. This may also make your bed partner sleep more comfortably. As a sleep apnea patient, you use CPAP at home every night while you sleep, and that is why it is crucial to keep your CPAP machine clean. When it comes to your CPAP machine, you want to do everything you can to keep it in good shape. That means regular cleaning and maintenance – and always having the right CPAP cleaning supplies on hand.
Want to Find the Perfect CPAP Mask Fit?
Use the power of MaskFit AR to accurately measure your individual needs. Simply scan your face using your computer camera or mobile device, and let us match you to the perfect mask.
To maintain the health and quality of life benefits that CPAP offers, you should treat your machine well. For this purpose, many innovative, medically-approved CPAP cleaning devices are available on the market. Still, it is always wise to maintain a stock of household CPAP cleaning supplies in the house for emergencies. Do you have a CPAP cleaning kit? If not, it’s time to build one! A well-stocked CPAP cleaning kit can help keep your machine clean and running smoothly. Keep reading to learn about the CPAP cleaning supplies you should always have on hand.
Shop at CleanCPAP today and build your own essential and affordable CPAP cleaning supplies kit.
Which CPAP cleaning supplies should you keep on hand at all times?
Without regular cleaning, CPAP devices can build up heavy concentrations of bacteria, mold, and other microbial lifeforms. The most common sign of this problem is a smelly CPAP machine. Air and moisture inside the machine cause microbial growth. In this environment, they can grow and, over time, spread throughout the machine’s parts. The use of an unclean CPAP device can cause severe allergic reactions, including sneezing, eye irritation, headaches, throat irritation, and nose irritation. The accumulation of dust and other particles in dirty filters can cause allergies, irritations, and even respiratory infections.
That’s why it’s so important to make sure your machine is sanitized. To keep it clean (and you heathy!) let’s look at this essential list of CPAP cleaning supplies. Keeping these supplies on hand is a good idea whether you clean manually or if you use a time-saving automatic cleaner. They are also useful for when you travel.
1. CPAP Mask Wipes
When traveling or on a hectic schedule, wipes specially designed for cleaning CPAP masks can be handy. It is also convenient to keep this collection of CPAP cleaning supplies at home. An extra step of cleaning is never a bad idea. However, it is not advisable to rely on wipes to clean your CPAP machine completely. They cannot clean inside the hose which can then become a medium for transferring microbes. Therefore, use a CPAP cleaner to clean your CPAP machine thoroughly at least once a week. Wipes are great to use between your thorough cleanings. Not sure which CPAP cleaner is best for you? Take a look at our CPAP cleaner comparison blog.
2. A Disinfectant Spray
When it comes to keeping your CPAP masks clean, the easy and effective way is with a disinfectant spray. These sprays kill 99% of germs and fungi, so you can rest assured that they won’t leave behind any microbes or chemical residues. These sprays can be used for manual cleanings as well as in- between thorough cleanings. Ensure that you never use bleach on your CPAP machine.
Using bleach will harm both yourself and the CPAP machine since its pH levels are too high on anything made out of plastic.
3. CPAP Hose/Tube Brush
There are flexible hose brushes available in the market specifically designed to keep your CPAP tubing clean and safe from mold and algae. The soft nylon bristles on these brushes fit easily into any slim or standard hoses for a gentle cleaning experience that will prevent buildup. If you don’t have these commercially available brushes in hand, you can also use a baby bottle brush. Be careful not to cut through the tubing with too much pressure, as it is delicate.
Do these CPAP cleaning supplies suffice?
We’ve given you a few things to keep in your CPAP cleaning supplies kit, but these items on their own are not enough. A CPAP machine needs a thorough cleaning at a bare minimum once a week, or else there will be microbial growth inside the tubing and residue on the mask that makes using your CPAP uncomfortable and dangerous. The best and easiest way to avoid this is by using an automatic CPAP cleaner. These devices clean all those nasty germs out of your device, so you don’t have to worry about them getting into your lungs during use. Shop today for CPAP cleaners at the very best prices and build your own CPAP cleaning supplies kit with the experts at CleanCPAP!
