Cleaning a CPAP machine involves washing the parts that touch air and water: the mask, tubing, humidifier chamber, and filters. None of it requires special equipment, and the whole routine takes just a few minutes once you know the schedule. The mask cushion and water chamber need daily attention, while the tubing, headgear, and full mask system get a deeper weekly clean.
Daily Cleaning Routine
Every morning after you take off your mask, do two things. First, wash the mask cushion or nasal pillows with warm water and a mild dish soap (something gentle like Ivory liquid works well). Rinse thoroughly and set it aside to air dry. Second, empty any remaining water from the humidifier chamber. Don’t let water sit in there all day. Bacteria and mold thrive in warm, standing water, and the humidifier is the single most hospitable environment inside your CPAP system.
Weekly Deep Clean
Once a week, clean everything that carries air or moisture between the machine and your face.
- Tubing: Soak the hose in warm, soapy water for 30 to 60 minutes. Rinse it well and hang it over a doorway or shower rod to air dry completely.
- Humidifier chamber: Remove the chamber once the heater has cooled. Wash it in warm, soapy water and soak it for 30 to 60 minutes. Rinse well and let it dry out of direct sunlight.
- Full mask system and headgear: Wash the entire mask assembly, including the frame and headgear, in warm soapy water. Rinse and air dry.
For a stronger disinfecting step, you can soak parts in a solution of 2 parts white vinegar to 3 parts water (about 1 cup vinegar to 1½ cups water). This helps kill bacteria without leaving residue that could irritate your skin or lungs.
Filter Maintenance
Your CPAP machine has at least one filter, and possibly two different types. Knowing which is which matters because they have completely different care rules.
The reusable foam filter sits at the back of the machine and catches larger particles like pollen, pet hair, and dust. Wash it in warm soapy water at least twice a month, let it dry completely before reinserting it, and replace it every three to six months or sooner if the foam starts breaking down.
The disposable filter is a thin, paper-like material with an electrostatic charge that traps very fine particles. You cannot wash this filter. Replace it every two weeks, or more often if it looks discolored or you live in a dusty or smoky environment. If you have allergies or frequent sinus infections, you might also consider an in-line bacteria filter, which attaches to the tubing and should be swapped out every 30 days.
Why Distilled Water Matters
Most manufacturers recommend filling the humidifier chamber with distilled water. Tap water contains minerals that leave white, chalky deposits (scale) inside the chamber over time. This buildup can eventually damage the chamber and is harder to clean. Distilled water prevents the problem entirely. If you’re traveling and can’t find distilled water, filtered, bottled, or boiled-then-cooled water are reasonable short-term substitutes. Avoid mineral water and spring water. If you do use tap water, expect to clean the chamber more aggressively to keep scale from accumulating. Manufacturers advise against using descaling agents or water softeners in the tub.
Drying the Tubing Properly
A wet hose is an invitation for mold and bacteria. After washing, you have two good options: hang the tubing over a door or towel rack and let gravity pull the water down, or reconnect it to the machine without water in the reservoir and run the machine for several minutes to blow air through. Either way, make sure the hose is fully dry before your next use. Never bundle up a damp hose and put it away.
Skip the Ozone and UV Cleaners
Devices that claim to sanitize CPAP equipment using ozone gas or UV light are widely marketed, but the FDA has not cleared or approved any of them for that purpose. The agency has received reports of asthma attacks, headaches, and breathing difficulty from people who used ozone-based cleaners. Ozone can linger inside CPAP equipment at unsafe levels for hours after a cleaning cycle, and it can also leak into your home during the process. UV devices raise similar concerns because the FDA has not confirmed they protect users from unsafe radiation exposure or that the light actually reaches the full interior of a hose.
Beyond health risks, these devices can damage your equipment. ResMed, one of the largest CPAP manufacturers, has noted that repeated ozone exposure causes internal damage and increased motor noise in their machines. Their warranty explicitly excludes damage caused by ozone devices. SoClean, the most well-known ozone cleaner brand, issued a voluntary recall, and the FDA continues to advise consumers to stick with the manufacturer’s own cleaning instructions. Soap, water, vinegar, and air drying remain the safest and most effective approach.
Don’t Open the Machine Itself
When people search for cleaning the “inside” of a CPAP, they sometimes mean the internal housing where the motor and blower sit. No manufacturer recommends opening the machine’s chassis. The components you actually clean are all user-removable: the mask, hose, water chamber, and filters. The blower motor and internal airway are sealed for a reason, and opening the case risks damaging the machine or voiding your warranty. If you notice a musty smell that persists even after cleaning all the removable parts, it likely means the tubing or chamber needs replacing rather than that the machine internals are contaminated.
When to Replace Parts Entirely
Cleaning extends the life of your supplies, but every component has a replacement timeline. Nasal cushions and disposable filters wear out fastest and should be swapped every two weeks. Full-face mask cushions last about a month. Mask frames and tubing should be replaced every three months. Headgear, chin straps, the reusable foam filter, and the humidifier chamber typically last about six months. These timelines are based on Medicare’s replacement schedule, so if you have insurance coverage for CPAP supplies, your plan likely covers replacements at these intervals. Silicone stretches, foam degrades, and plastic develops micro-scratches that harbor bacteria, so even parts that look fine can become harder to clean effectively over time.