Cleaning an AeroChamber takes about 20 minutes, mostly hands-off soaking time, and should be done once a week. The process is simple, but one detail matters more than you’d expect: how you dry it. Towel drying creates static electricity inside the chamber, which makes medication cling to the walls instead of reaching your lungs.
What You Need
All you need is a sink, warm water, and mild liquid dish soap. Avoid soaps with added moisturizers, heavy fragrances, or antibacterial agents, as these can leave a residue inside the chamber that interferes with medication delivery. A basic, unscented dish detergent works best.
Step-by-Step Cleaning Process
Start by pulling the AeroChamber apart. If your model has a removable mouthpiece or mask, separate those pieces so water and soap can reach every surface. Check for any visible cracks, debris, or damage while the parts are apart.
Place all the parts in a sink filled with warm, soapy water. Let them soak for about 15 minutes. This loosens dried medication particles and any buildup inside the chamber. After soaking, gently shake the chamber while it’s still submerged to dislodge anything clinging to the walls.
Move the parts to clean water and rinse until the soap is gone. Then shake off the excess water gently and stand the chamber upright on a clean cloth or paper towel.
Why Air Drying Is Essential
This is the step most people get wrong. Do not wipe the inside of the chamber with a cloth, paper towel, or anything else. Rubbing the plastic interior creates a static charge on the surface, and that charge acts like a magnet for the fine medication particles your inhaler releases. Instead of floating through the chamber and into your airway, the medication sticks to the walls.
Let every piece air dry completely before reassembling. Depending on airflow in your home, this usually takes a few hours. Standing the chamber upright speeds things along. Plan your cleaning so the chamber has time to dry overnight or while you’re out for the day.
How Often to Clean
Once a week is the standard recommendation for routine cleaning. Between weekly washes, check the inside of the chamber before each use. If you notice it looks cloudy or filmy, that’s medication residue building up, and it’s time to clean it regardless of your schedule.
A quick visual inspection before every use is also a good habit. Look at the valve (the small flap near the mouthpiece that moves when you breathe) and the plastic body. If the valve isn’t moving freely, or if you spot cracks or warping in the plastic, cleaning won’t fix the problem. The device needs to be replaced.
When to Replace Your AeroChamber
Most spacers and valved holding chambers should be replaced every 12 months, though this can vary by model. Over time, the plastic degrades, valves lose their responsiveness, and the chamber becomes less effective at delivering medication even with regular cleaning. If your AeroChamber stops working as expected before the 12-month mark, if the valve sticks, the plastic cracks, or the chamber doesn’t hold the medication cloud the way it used to, replace it sooner rather than trying to clean your way back to normal function.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Putting it in the dishwasher. The heat can warp the plastic and damage the valve. Hand washing in warm (not hot) water is the only safe method.
- Using alcohol or harsh cleaners. These can degrade the plastic and leave chemical residue you’ll inhale with your next dose.
- Skipping the soak. A quick rinse under the tap won’t dissolve the medication film that builds up over days of use. The 15-minute soak does the real work.
- Reassembling while still damp. Trapped moisture inside a sealed chamber can encourage mold or bacterial growth. Make sure every part is fully dry before you put it back together.
Keeping your AeroChamber clean isn’t just about hygiene. A dirty or static-charged chamber delivers less medication per puff, which means your inhaler becomes less effective without any obvious sign that something is wrong. A few minutes of maintenance each week keeps the device working the way it’s supposed to.