Equipment Cleaning in the Post-Covid Era

The first case of COVID-19 (coronavirus) was confirmed in my state at my workplace (W.A.). The next several months were operationally busy. 

We tested more people, prepared for more confirmed cases, and took care of the many, many worried people seeking care when they usually would take over-the-counter cold medications and get some rest.

I have also learned a lot from infectious disease specialists about what kills coronavirus. When a Respiratory Therapist was exiting a hospital room under the eyes of an infection control spotter, she touched her bare arm briefly while removing the gown. 

The spotter had her rub hand sanitizer on her arm. That was it. Ordinary alcohol-based hand cleaner kills COVID-19. Bleach and hydrogen peroxide-based products kill COVID-19. The product we use to sanitize the surfaces of most of our patient care equipment kills coronavirus.

For some reason, I, along with many coworkers, was initially surprised to learn this. Although COVID-19 appears to spread more quickly than some viruses, it is susceptible to the usual disinfection tools.

On March 3, 2020, The Center for Disease Control published a list of cleaning products that are strongly virucidal (CDC List). These products are great for sanitizing surfaces in your home or car.

They are NOT good products to use to clean your CPAP equipment, though. In the cleaning directions for almost every CPAP mask or circuit, you will see this warning:

Important: Do not clean with products containing alcohol, scents, antibacterial agents, antiseptics, bleach, chlorine, or moisturizers.

Products with alcohol, bleach, and hydrogen peroxide may damage your mask, causing it to crack or deform. Not only can this make it more difficult to fit correctly, but it may create tiny recesses where germs and dirt can hide. 

Products with alcohol, bleach, hydrogen peroxide or scents can also leave odors or chemical residue that can trigger allergic reactions or airway constriction.

Q: Are there any FDA-approved CPAP cleaners?

A: Currently, FDA has not approved any CPAP cleaning devices that use ozone or UV light (Source). 

I’ve also been reminded by infection control that good old soap and water remain the two most essential tools in the arsenal. Soap is a surfactant, and it lowers the surface tension of dirt and germs on surfaces. 

That’s a fancy way of saying it loosens all that visible and invisible junk. Liberally rinse the surface with water and flush germs and debris down the drain.

When cleaning your CPAP equipment, soap and water are your two best friends, even if you have been sick.

Some people choose to clean their CPAP equipment in a solution of one-part white vinegar with three parts of water. The acetic acid in the vinegar does have some germicidal function. The vinegar smell may linger, so consider whether that would be an irritant for you or not.

The basic cleaning process for masks and circuits looks like this:

Cleaning process:

1. Wash in warm soapy water using a mild dish soap.
2. Rinse thoroughly in clean water.
3. Air-dry all parts out of direct sunlight.

Humidifiers should be emptied first thing in the morning, rinsed with distilled water, and allowed to air dry.

Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for cleaning.

Read the fine print in the manual that came with the equipment. Every product is a little different, and the manufacturers test their equipment to know what might be harmful to its integrity. 

Most CPAP equipment cannot go into the dishwasher or the dryer, but some products can. The manual has that guidance. Some products are listed as dishwasher safe, but the fine print says it’s only ok to use the dishwasher once a week.

If the manual or package inserts are long gone, no worries! RespShop has the manuals for most items available for download on the product page of each product. The manufacturers also keep them on their product pages.

Establish a ritual.

Clean those parts that need daily cleaning as soon as possible after you get up to keep mold and bacteria from growing in the moist environment. 

Even if you do not use a humidifier, your exhaled breaths create a damp environment in the mask and tubing that is very inviting to mold and germs.

Dump the water out of the humidifier right away, rinse it with some distilled water, and let it start to air dry.

The equipment needs to be dry before you use it again, so it is also essential to allow for enough time for air drying to occur.

Create a clean start with a clean finish.

1. Clean the container you soak your equipment in before you start. Soaking in the sink is possible, but ideally, get a plastic bucket or bin that you can wipe clean before and after each use with bleach wipes, Lysol wipes, etc. Any of those products on the CDC list are excellent choices for cleaning your container.
2. Dry parts on clean surfaces. Draping the tubing over the shower with the ports pointing downwards is an efficient way to air dry it. Lay the mask and associated parts on a clean towel while it air-dries. Sunlight is damaging to the plastics, so do not place pieces near a window to dry.
3. If you are using a water/vinegar mixture, replace it with each cleaning session.
4. After everything is set aside to dry, clean your soaking container again and the surfaces of the space you cleaned in. Bleach wipes, hydrogen peroxide products, and Lysol products are all excellent choices.
5. Next, WASH YOUR HANDS with soap and water. Say the alphabet twice in your head while you scrub your hands. Then get on with your day! Washing your hands at the end of your routine protects you, your family, and your friends.

Helpful hints

1. Use a mild dish soap free of scents
2. Agitate the tubing and the mask as they soak to optimize the surfactant action of the soap
3. Do not put essential oils or CBD oil in the humidifier or on the mask.

Wipes and sprays labeled specifically for CPAP mask cleaning are available for purchase. Unscented CPAP Mask Wipes are a good choice. They are ideal for a quick clean of the mask when you are in a hurry and for wiping down the outside of the circuit. 

Wipes and sprays should not be used for the inside of the circuit. The circuit needs to soak, get shaken up, and be thoroughly rinsed.

CPAP wipes are particularly helpful for removing oils before washing. They are also a good choice when you expect to nap sooner than the mask will dry.

Ultraviolet devices have gained a lot of popularity. They show a lot of promise as sterilizers. Cleaning with soap and water is still an essential step before sterilizing. 

Even in the hospital environment, items that get sent for sterilizing must be cleaned with a detergent and rinsed well first. 

A CPAP cleaning ritual helps you avoid potential dangers and problems, including the following:

• Bacteria and mold exposure
• Allergy symptoms
• Increased risk for sinus infections or pneumonia
• Musty or foul odors
• Mineralization in the humidifier
• Equipment breakdown
• Voiding the device warranty

Q: How to clean a Resmed CPAP machine?

A: The machine should be wiped off once a week with a soft cloth, wipe inside the humidifier, too, check the filter area for extra dust and remove, replace filters monthly, wash chambers and tubing weekly, and replace chambers and tubing every 6 – 12 mos.

Q: How do I disinfect my CPAP machine?

A: At this time, it is not recommended by any CPAP manufacturer to use any sanitization device with your machine directly as it may alter the motor function. 

Q: How do you clean the tubing on a CPAP machine?

A: Soak in a sink of warm water and mild detergent, rinse well, and hang to dry weekly.

Q: Can you clean a CPAP water chamber in a dishwasher?

A: Only water chambers that are advertised as “cleanable” or “dishwasher safe” can be cleaned in the dishwasher.

Q: Can a CPAP machine be sanitized?

A: No, just the parts.

Q: Do CPAP wipes kill bacteria?

A: Yes.

Q: What are the symptoms of a dirty CPAP machine?

A: Discolored filters, smell.

Q: Are CPAP wipes worth it?

A: Yes, convenient and easy so your mask cushion does get cleaned daily.

Q: How to clean a CPAP hose with vinegar?

A: It is recommended to use mild, oil-free soap and warm/hot tap water to clean your hose. If you wish to use vinegar, mix it with water to form a solution and rinse well afterward.

Q: Can I clean CPAP with alcohol?

A: No, do not use anything harsher than mild detergent.

Please call us at 1-866-936-3754 or email us at sales@respshop.com if you have any questions. Our Customer Service Team and Certified Sleep Science Coaches are here to help.