To get the most out of your CPAP therapy, it is important that you regularly clean your supplies, including your mask and machine. Herein this post, we’ll help you get to know the do’s and don’ts of CPAP cleaning so that you get to sleep better, and your supplies last till they ideally should.
Use distilled water. Avoid tap water. Contaminated water can introduce microorganisms into your humidified pressurized air and thus make you sick.
Wipe your mask daily. You’re going to wear it all night, and thus it is a kind of a must to wipe your mask every day before you put it on.
Also remember that makeup materials don’t go well with the masks, and reduce their lifespan. For the longest wear out of your mask, always wash and dry your face before you put on the mask before sleep.
Don’t use harsh cleaners. Bleach and alcohol based cleaners are likely to harm your supplies and thus reduce their lifespan. Instead try unscented mild soaps.
Don’t dry your supplies in the sun. Keep your supplies out of direct sunlight. Sun exposure is likely to warp and yellow your supplies.
Try mild soap and warm water for CPAP tubing cleaning. You don’t even need to wash the tubing every day, but try a couple of times a week. Hang it to dry for best results.
When cleaning CPAP filters: your machine comes fitted with two filters. One is built inside the machine and is permanent. It’s usually in charcoal colour. The other filter comes in white colour and should ideally be replaced every couple of months.
For charcoal coloured filter, you need the standard cleaning gear: warm water, a mild soap solution and a warm rinse and air drying. You don’t need to clean the white filter. Just try replacing it after it loses its colour. This cleaning ritual alone will significantly extend the life of your machine.
Keep your bedroom spic and span. It’s not going to take you days. Just use a vacuum cleaner to keep your sleeping space neat and clean. Also try washing your bedding regularly to cut down on the growth of dust bites. Although your machine comes fitted with dual filter mechanism to provide you with healthy air, but an unhygienic bedroom / sleeping space will lead to the need for more filters.
CPAP is part of the world of durable medical equipment (DME), and needs to be cleaned regularly to easily extend the life of all the parts. Cleaning will save you from infection as well as save you money. Sleep apnea not only ruins your sleep health but also plays host for many life threatening diseases including heart disease, heart stroke, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, etc. So if you’ve lately been diagnosed with sleep apnea, CPAP can ease your sufferings and help you lead a healthy lifestyle. For a personal, detailed conversation on how you can get the most out of this therapy or even to discuss alternative options, speak with one of our sleep specialists.
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