Can I Clean My CPAP Equipment In The Dishwasher?

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In order to get the most beneficial use out of your CPAP machine, you need to keep it clean. For some people that can be a chore that is time-consuming and likely to result in a poor job. Is there an easier way?

Can you put your CPAP mask and tubing in the dishwasher to save time and get an effective cleaning? The answer is NO. Do NOT put your mask, hosing, or any other part of your CPAP machine in the dishwasher.

Dishwashers run at too high a temperature and are just far too “violent” a cleaning method. The material that composes your masks and tubing will deteriorate over time and likely leak when you try to use them afterwards.

What About The Humidifier Tank? Can I Put That In The Dishwasher?

According to one CPAP manufacturer, you can put the humidifier part of your CPAP machine into a dishwasher to thoroughly clean it. However, there’s a process to this that you should follow:

  • First, you should be cleaning your humidifier tank weekly to keep it from becoming a breeding ground for mold and bacteria.
  • Start by simply filling the tank with warm water and then placing 3-4 drops of a mild dish washing soap into the water and agitate it to make it soapy. After letting it sit and soak for 30 minutes, rinse thoroughly with plain water to remove the soap.
  • Every other week, instead of the above method, do a more intense cleaning:
    • Fill the tank 4/5 of the way with water and then add white distilled vinegar into the remaining 1/5 of the tank (white distilled vinegar is colorless so it won’t stain your tank)
    • Let the tank soak like this for 30 minutes and then rinse well.
    • Follow this up by placing the tank into the dishwasher and running a normal cleaning cycle. This will help loosen and and remove any residual debris that may still be inside the tank.
    • Let the tank then air dry before using it again
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5Kte28cJvo

How Do I Clean My CPAP Mask And Tubing Then?

There’s a couple different ways that you can go about keeping your mask and tubing clean.

Your Daily Cleaning Tasks

Every single day you need to clean your mask. Whether you do it by hand with a small dish towel and some soapy water or you use specially-formulated mask wipes, this is a chore that needs to be done every single day.

Using Soap

  • Start with a damp wash cloth (don’t use a paper towel; it’s likely to come apart during the cleaning process and leave debris behind) and put a couple drops of a mild dishwashing liquid on it.
  • Wipe down the entire mask paying special attention to the surfaces where the mask touches your face.
  • Then take a new, clean damp wash cloth and clean those surfaces again.
  • After all the wiping is done, rinse the mask under water and leave it out to air dry

Mask Wipes

  • There are multiple different mask wipes on the market that are designed as surface cleaners.
  • These masks don’t contain any cleaning products in them that would replace soap. They are merely designed to remove debris.
  • For those that are short on time, this may be the best way to keep your mask clean until you can do a more complete clean later.

Your Weekly Cleaning Tasks

Once a week you need to be performing a more thorough cleaning on your CPAP equipment. While the daily wipe downs are helpful and can be effective, nothing replaces a good thorough weekly cleaning.

Cleaning By Hand

  • The cheapest way to perform this weekly cleaning is to do everything by hand.
    • Fill your bathroom (let’s face it, your kitchen sink is probably not the cleanest for this task) sink with warm water and put a few drops of a mild dishwashing soap into it. Agitate the water to mix the soap.
    • Place your mask, headgear, and tubing into the solution and “swish” it around in the water 5 minutes.
    • Then rinse it all well and hang it up to dry in a way that will allow all the water to drip out
    • Make sure you also wipe down the actual exterior of the CPAP machine with a damp washcloth once weekly as well.

Using a CPAP Cleaning Machine

For those that may not want to take the time to clean their CPAP parts by hand, there are actual CPAP cleaning machines that can do this for you.

Pros:

  • Hands-off cleaning of your equipment that can be done in a fraction of the time that you would spend manually cleaning
  • Anecdotal evidence (I’ve yet to see any actual studies not sponsored by cleaning machine companies) that they do a great job of preventing bacterial and mold growth
  • Smaller travel devices make it easier to keep your CPAP machine parts clean while on vacation or traveling for business

Cons:

  • More expensive than cleaning by hand; cleaners can range from roughly $50 – $300
  • Ozone-based cleaners have been subject of news lately as being potentially “unsafe” because of reports received by the Food and Drug Administration. These reports involved a small number of people who experienced certain side effects (irritation of the mouth and throat, coughing) that could be explained by exposure to excessive levels of Ozone.

While Ultraviolet (UV) Cleaners are also warned against by the FDA as being “potentially” unsafe, this type of technology is used for many other cleaning processes in many industries.

Bottom Line Of Using A Cleaning Machine

  • Follow the manufacturer’s directions, especially in regards when using a ozone-based cleaner. If aired out properly after cleaning, an Ozone-based cleaner should be safe.
  • If you’re unable (or unwilling) to regularly clean your CPAP parts by hand, then you need to think about a machine.