How to clean a CPAP and when to replace supplies

To clean a CPAP, wash the mask daily and the tubing, headgear and humidifier chamber weekly with mild soap and warm water, then let everything air dry. The FDA says special ozone or UV cleaning machines aren't needed. Supplies wear out on a schedule too: masks, cushions, filters and tubing all need regular replacement, and Medicare publishes how often it will pay for each.

Your device maker's manual comes first. The FDA says that since each type and brand of CPAP is different, you should follow the cleaning schedule and instructions from the company that made your machine and parts. The general guidance below is what applies when your manual doesn't say otherwise.

Why does CPAP equipment need cleaning?

CPAP equipment needs cleaning because germs, skin oils and dust build up in the parts you breathe through every night. The FDA explains that germs from your lungs, throat or mouth can get into the mask or hose as you breathe, germs on your skin can transfer to the mask, and dust, mold or other allergens can get in too. It warns that a dirty machine, filter, hose or mask contaminated with viruses or bacteria can make you sick, and that dust and dirt make the machine more likely to break.

Cleaning also protects your therapy. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) says that for treatment to keep working, you should clean your mask and tube every day and refill your prescription on time to replace them. Mayo Clinic's patient guide adds that standing water in the humidifier readily grows mold, which can trigger allergies, a runny nose and congestion that make CPAP harder to tolerate.

How do you clean a CPAP step by step?

You clean a CPAP by taking the removable parts off the machine, washing them in warm soapy water, rinsing and air drying. The FDA says all CPAP parts you can take off the machine can be cleaned with mild soap and water. The mask, detachable hoses and connectors can be soaked in a sink of soapy water and hung up to dry, and some manufacturers recommend a vinegar and water mix.

Mayo Clinic's PAP cleaning guide gives a practical routine for each part:

• Mask and nasal pillows: daily. Remove the headgear, wash in warm soapy water, rinse under running water, shake off excess water and air dry on a clean towel.
• Humidifier chamber: empty it and wipe it dry every day. Once a week, wash the inside with warm soapy water or a solution of 1 part vinegar to 9 parts water, rinse well and let it air dry out of direct sunlight.
• Tubing, heated or not: weekly. Wash in warm soapy water, rinse, then hang it so the water drains out. With heated tubing, make sure the electrical contacts are dry before reconnecting.
• Headgear: weekly. Close the Velcro tabs, hand wash in warm soapy water, rinse and air dry. Don't machine wash or tumble dry it.
• Disposable filter: check it monthly and more often in a dusty room or with pets, and replace it with a new one.
• Machine: wipe off dust with a damp cloth and don't put liquids on top of it.

Never put the main machine, or anything with an electrical cord, in water. The FDA says to use a damp towel on the outside of the powered unit instead. Mayo Clinic also warns against putting bleach, similar strong chemicals or products like vapor rubs into the water chamber, and says manufacturers normally recommend distilled water in the humidifier because of mineral deposits.

Sleep Education's minimum is simpler: clean your mask, tubing and headgear once a week, and put it in your schedule so you don't forget. Washing your face before you put the mask on helps too. NHLBI says it can improve the seal between the mask and your skin.

Should you use an ozone or UV CPAP cleaner?

The FDA says you don't need an ozone or UV CPAP cleaner, and it hasn't cleared or approved any device for cleaning, disinfecting or sanitizing CPAP machines. In a consumer update, the agency says the automated machines advertised to clean CPAPs are not necessary, and that most masks, hoses and humidifier tanks can be cleaned with mild soap and water as described in the owner's manual.

The FDA describes two types of these machines, one using ozone gas and one using UV light, and says both can break down CPAP accessories like hoses and masks. It has received reports of unexpected asthma attacks, headaches and breathlessness after people used ozone devices to clean CPAP accessories. It also says ozone can leak into your home during cleaning, and ozone levels inside the equipment can stay above safe limits for several hours afterward. For UV devices, the FDA says it doesn't have evidence they protect you from unsafe UV exposure.

There is one exception. The FDA has authorized one add-on device to reduce bacteria on specific CPAP masks and hoses after regular cleaning. It says that if you buy an add-on device, make sure it's FDA-authorized for that purpose, and that it adds to the manufacturer's cleaning process rather than replacing it.

The FDA's guidance on the 2021 Philips recall adds another reason for caution: it says ozone cleaners may worsen the breakdown of the sound-reducing foam in recalled devices, and tells owners of those devices not to use ozone or UV cleaners. Our article on whether CPAP is safe covers the recall.

How often should you replace CPAP supplies?

You should replace CPAP supplies on a regular schedule, and Medicare's coverage policy is the most widely used reference for how often. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) publishes a local coverage determination for positive airway pressure devices that lists the "usual maximum" amount of each accessory it expects to be needed. Mayo Clinic's PAP re-supply guide lists the same Medicare schedule with plain names for each item.

Sources: CMS LCD L33718 (revision effective January 1, 2024) and Mayo Clinic PAP re-supply guide.

These are maximums Medicare will pay for, not a rule that you must replace parts that often. Mayo Clinic notes that Medicare requires documentation that you're still using the device and that the supplies need replacing because of damage or wear. Medicare.gov adds that Medicare may cover a 12-week CPAP trial and then continued therapy if your provider documents that it's helping, and that after 13 continuous months of rental payments you own the machine. Private insurers set their own schedules, so check your plan.

What are the signs a CPAP part needs replacing?

A CPAP part needs replacing when it stops sealing, stops fitting or starts to look worn. Mayo Clinic explains why: masks get brittle and dirty with use, bacteria build up inside tubing and masks, and disposable supplies aren't meant to last forever. Skin oils wear down the mask and headgear until they lose their stretch, and people compensate by overtightening the straps, which can break down the skin on the face. Mask leaks cause a loss of pressure, which means losing the benefit of therapy.

Practical signs to watch for, based on that guidance:

• New air leaks, or a mask that no longer holds its seal.
• Straps you keep tightening to get the same fit.
• Red marks or sores where the mask sits. Sleep Education says these are often due to poor mask fit.
• A mask or cushion that has gone brittle, or any part that stays dirty after washing.
• A disposable filter that is due for its check or looks dirty, especially in a dusty room or a home with pets.

If your mask still leaks after you replace it, the size or style may be wrong rather than worn. NHLBI suggests talking to your provider if the mask doesn't stay on, fits poorly or leaks air, since you may be able to try a different mask or nasal pillows. Our guides to getting used to CPAP and dry mouth with CPAP cover fit problems in more detail.

What about cleaning after a cold or flu?

After a cold or flu, it makes sense to clean everything thoroughly and replace the parts you breathe through. Mayo Clinic's guide says that if you're ill while using your sleep apnea device, you'll need to replace supplies once you're feeling better, because viruses are known to stay alive in moist, confined areas for several weeks. Our article on sleep apnea while sick has tips for getting through the cold itself.

How do you keep CPAP clean when traveling?

You can keep CPAP clean when traveling by packing mask wipes and planning ahead for water. Mayo Clinic's guide says you can travel with your PAP equipment and use PAP cleaning wipes for the mask while away. It adds that if distilled or purified water isn't available, bottled water can be used in the humidifier in rare cases. NHLBI says to bring your device when you travel and use it for every sleep, including naps. Our travel sleep kit checklist covers the rest of the bag.

If you're still choosing between treatments, our overview of sleep apnea treatment options explains the alternatives to CPAP, and snoring with CPAP covers a common sign that something needs adjusting.

This article is general information, not medical advice. Your equipment supplier and sleep team can answer questions about your specific device.

Read next

• Getting used to CPAP
• Is CPAP safe?
• Sleep apnea while sick

* This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or health condition. Talk to a qualified healthcare provider about your health.