Cleaning your ResMed AirSense 11 takes about five minutes a day and a bit longer once a week. The routine is simple: mild soap, warm water, and air drying. No special gadgets or expensive cleaning solutions required. Here’s exactly what to do and how often.
What You Need
The only cleaning supplies worth buying are ones you probably already own. Use a mild, fragrance-free dish soap and warm, drinking-quality water. If you want to tackle mineral buildup in your humidifier tub, a diluted white vinegar solution works well: one part distilled white vinegar to three parts warm water.
Avoid bleach, alcohol, ammonia, antibacterial soaps with fragrances or moisturizers, and scented oils. These can damage plastic components, degrade silicone cushions, and leave residue you’ll end up breathing in. Don’t use mineral water either, as dissolved particles can build up inside the equipment over time.
Daily Cleaning Routine
Every morning after you wake up, empty any remaining water from the humidifier tub. Rinse the tub with clean, warm water and set it aside to air dry with the lid open. This single step prevents bacteria and mold from growing in standing water throughout the day.
Wipe down your mask cushion or nasal pillows with a damp cloth to remove facial oils. Oils break down silicone faster than almost anything else, so this daily wipe is the easiest way to extend the life of your mask and keep a good seal.
Weekly Deep Clean
Once a week, give every detachable component a thorough wash. Unplug the AirSense 11 from its power source before you start, then disconnect the tubing from both the machine and the mask.
Humidifier Tub
Fill the tub with warm, soapy water using your mild dish soap. Let it soak for a few minutes, then gently scrub the inside to remove any film or mineral deposits. If you notice white, chalky buildup, soak the tub in the one-to-three vinegar solution for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and let it air dry completely.
Tubing
Submerge the tubing in a sink or tub filled with warm, soapy water. Swish it around so soapy water flows through the full length, then rinse inside and out with clean water. The water temperature should stay below 131°F (55°C) to avoid warping the plastic. Never run tubing through a dishwasher or washing machine.
If you use ResMed’s ClimateLineAir 11 heated tube, handle it by the cuff (the rigid connector end) rather than pulling on the tube itself, which can damage the internal wiring. Clean it the same way as standard tubing, just be careful around the electrical connector pins and make sure they’re completely dry before plugging back in.
Mask and Headgear
Disassemble your mask frame, cushion, and headgear. Wash the frame and cushion in warm, soapy water, rinse well, and air dry. Headgear straps can be hand-washed the same way but tend to lose elasticity faster if soaked too long or wrung out aggressively. Lay them flat to dry.
How to Dry Everything Properly
Air drying is the only safe method. Keep all components out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources like radiators or hair dryers, as heat degrades plastic and silicone. Hang tubing over a towel rack or shower rod so air circulates through the inside and water doesn’t pool at the bottom. Most components dry fully within a few hours in a well-ventilated room. Make sure everything is completely dry before reassembling, especially the humidifier tub and heated tubing connectors.
Filter Maintenance
The AirSense 11 uses a disposable filter that should be replaced every month. Check it weekly by holding it up to light. If it looks gray or discolored, swap it out early. A clogged filter restricts airflow and lets dust and allergens pass through to your lungs.
Some setups include a reusable hypoallergenic filter behind the disposable one. You can rinse the reusable filter under running water (no soap or vinegar) and let it air dry completely before reinserting it. Never put a damp filter back into the machine.
When to Replace Parts
Cleaning extends the life of your equipment, but every component has a shelf life. Silicone cushions on full-face masks lose their seal after about a month of nightly use. Nasal pillows wear out even faster, typically within two weeks. Mask frames and headgear straps last roughly six months before the plastic stiffens or the elastic stretches out. Tubing should be replaced every three months, as micro-tears and residue accumulate in places you can’t easily clean or see.
If your mask starts leaking despite proper adjustment, or your tubing develops a persistent smell even after washing, those are signs it’s time for new parts rather than another cleaning cycle.
Skip the Ozone and UV Cleaners
Devices marketed as CPAP sanitizers that use ozone gas or UV light are not recommended. ResMed has observed that repeated ozone exposure causes internal damage to their machines, and as of February 2020, damage from ozone devices is explicitly excluded from ResMed’s warranty. That means if an ozone cleaner degrades the seals or sensors inside your AirSense 11, repairs or replacement come out of your pocket.
The FDA has also not cleared any ozone or UV CPAP cleaning device as effective, and ozone itself is a lung irritant. Warm water and mild soap remain the safest and most effective approach, and they cost almost nothing.
Quick Reference Schedule
- Every morning: Empty and rinse humidifier tub, wipe mask cushion
- Every week: Wash tub, tubing, mask frame, cushion, and headgear with mild soap and warm water
- Every month: Replace disposable air filter
- Every 2 weeks: Replace nasal pillows (if applicable)
- Every 3 months: Replace tubing
- Every 6 months: Replace mask frame and headgear