If you have sleep apnea, you know that your CPAP machine is the only tool that will determine if you will spend your day cranky and sleepy or focused and cheerful. This is why you need to wear it every night. This is also a good reason why you should take care of your CPAP machine.
These machines last, on average, 12 to 14 months. But if properly taken care of, the machine can last several years. And since they're not exactly the cheapest equipment there is, you might want to make sure that they serve you for a good number of years. The following are great tips that will help you care for and maintain the optimal performance of your machine:
Proper Cleaning Schedule
It is important to wipe the whole mask and the external part of the machine every day. Other parts of the machine, however, need not be cleaned daily. The tubing, cushion, mask frame, and other parts will have to be cleaned once a week. The same is true for the filters of the machine. If the filter is the non-disposable type, you will have to replace it every six months. The disposable filters must be replaced when they have turned dark. Moreover, if you're using a rental machine, you might have installed bacterial filters, too. These filters must be replaced every 10 to 14 days.
Proper Cleaning Process
The mask, its frame, and the cushion can be handwashed with warm soapy water. Use a detergent that is mild. You should also avoid using very strong cleaning agents, such as bleach, alcohol, solutions with chlorine, and other household cleaners. After washing these parts, make sure the you let them air dry. They should also never be dried under direct sunlight. Before putting them back together, make sure that they are not damaged.
It is also possible to use the dishwasher when washing these parts of the CPAP machine. Again, it it best to use a mild detergent and to air dry the parts away from direct sunlight. When you assemble the parts that you have cleaned, you must be careful so as not to damage them.
You can also wash the tubing in warm soapy water. Before putting it back on again, you must make sure that it has no holes or splits. Any damaged part that you see must be replaced right away.
As for the filters of the CPAP machine, cleaning them once a week is also important. These foam filters make sure that you do not inhale dust and pollens in the air. You can wash the foam with mild detergent and squeeze it under running water until it becomes light-colored again. If your machine does not have disposable filters, you would still need to get rid of them after half a year.
There are machines with disposable filters and these have to be replaced after 3 months. If you see them start to get dark in color, you'll have to replace them right away. This ensures that you're breathing only clean air while you are asleep.
CPAP Clinic - healthcare at your home
We serve Greater Toronto Area in Canada.
Contact: 1-877-430-CPAP(2727) or info@CPAPClinic.ca
