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How to Clean a BiPAP Machine
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Key Takeaways
- Like all PAP equipment, BiPAP machines and accessories should be cleaned regularly to avoid bacteria buildup and equipment damage.
- BiPAP machine cleaning should be done by hand using warm water and a gentle cleanser. Avoid using harsh chemicals like bleach, alcohol, or antibacterial soap.
- The FDA and PAP manufacturers do not recommend using ozone gas or UV light PAP machine cleaners, which could damage machines and potentially cause health issues.
- Replacing BiPAP machine accessories on schedule also helps keep the device hygienic and working properly.
How Often to Clean Your BiPAP Machine
Ideally, you should follow the manufacturer’s guidelines outlining how often to clean your PAP machine and accessories. If this cleaning schedule does not feel manageable, it's better to clean your equipment on a timeline that works for you than to not clean it at all. Discontinuing your PAP therapy out of a fear of using "dirty" equipment is likely a bad idea because the risk of getting an infection from PAP equipment is low, while the negative effects of untreated sleep apnea can be much more serious.
In addition to CPAP and BiPAP machines, other CPAP equipment features different components that should be cleaned regularly. These components include tubing, face mask, humidifier water tub, and air filter. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), regularly cleaning these items may prevent contamination and illness.
Manufacturers outline an ideal cleaning schedule for their PAP equipment. Check your PAP manufacturer's instructions to ensure consistent cleaning. The table below includes a general cleaning timeline to follow for this equipment.
| BiPAP Component | Cleaning Frequency |
| BiPAP device (wiping down only) | Weekly |
| Tubing | Weekly |
| Humidifier water chamber | Daily to weekly |
| Mask cushions/pillows | Daily to weekly |
| Mask headgear and frame | Weekly |
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How to Clean Your BiPAP Machine
Clean your BiPAP machine components by hand, using drinking-quality water mixed with a mild soap approved by your PAP manufacturer. You'll need a clean space to wash the PAP equipment in, as well as a space for air drying items away from direct sunlight and heat.
Supplies You’ll Need
- A clean sink or basin
- Warm water (drinking quality or distilled)
- Gentle liquid cleanser, like mild dish soap or baby shampoo
- Distilled white vinegar (optional)
- CPAP wipes (optional)
- A clean cloth
- A clean, dry towel
- A soft brush (optional)
To clean your BiPAP machine and accessories, follow these instructions.
Daily BiPAP Cleaning
- Unplug the machine: First, unplug your BiPAP machine power cord from the outlet.
- Clean the water chamber: Remove the water chamber, and wipe it down using a cleaning cloth or CPAP wipe. Let the water chamber air dry away from direct sunlight or heat.
- Clean the mask cushion or nasal pillows: Most PAP mask cushions and nasal pillows are made from either memory foam or silicone. To clean these components, first disconnect them from the mask. Wipe with either a CPAP wipe or a damp cloth and, if possible, clean them in a sink or tub filled with a mixture of water and gentle soap or water and distilled white vinegar. If you use a water mixture, then rinse at the end with fresh water. Let the items air dry away from direct sunlight or heat.
Weekly BiPAP Cleaning
- Unplug the machine: First, disconnect your BiPAP machine’s power cord from the wall outlet.
- Clean the machine: Wipe down the machine using a soft cloth (lightly damp or dry) or a CPAP wipe. Do not get water in or on the machine.
- Clean the water chamber: Remove the water chamber, then immerse it in warm water mixed with either a mild soap or distilled white vinegar (you may use equal parts vinegar and water, or more water than vinegar). After letting the water chamber soak, rinse it with clean water. Let the chamber air dry away from direct sunlight or heat.
- Clean the tubing: Disconnect the tubing from the machine and mask parts. Immerse the tubing into warm water mixed with mild soap. Rinse the tubing with clean, warm water, then air dry away from direct sunlight or heat. To dry, set the tubing on a clean towel or hang from a towel or shower rod.
- Clean the mask parts: Take apart the mask, so the headgear, cushion or nasal pillows, and frame are separated. Immerse the mask cushion or nasal pillows and headgear in warm water mixed with mild soap. Rinse with clean water, then set all components on a clean towel to air dry away from direct sunlight or heat.
You may want to clean only your water chamber and mask cushion or nasal pillows daily, and clean the remaining parts weekly, or you may opt to clean all parts weekly. You can use an optional soft bristle brush to lightly clean mask parts or tubing.
What to Avoid Using for BiPAP Machine Cleaning
Some cleansers and cleaning methods may cause harm by damaging your BiPAP machine or supplies. They can also leave behind vapor residue that can cause health problems if breathed in.. For this reason, do not use the following items to wash or dry your BiPAP machine:
- Alcohol
- Bleach
- Harsh chemicals or cleansers
- Antibacterial soap
- Dishwasher detergent
- Strongly scented soaps
- Essential oils or cleansers containing them
- A washing machine, dryer, or electric iron
- A CPAP ozone cleaning device
- A CPAP ultraviolet (UV) light cleaning device
Warning About Ozone and UV Cleaners
Using an ozone cleaning machine or UV light cleaning machine to sanitize your PAP equipment may be tempting because these devices are advertised as being very easy-to-use. However, they are not recommended. The FDA has not approved any PAP sanitizing devices, and there is no data suggesting these devices can properly clean PAP equipment.
The FDA also notes that ozone gas and UV light cleaning devices may break down CPAP parts and accessories. Similarly, some PAP manufacturers say that ozone cleaning devices can damage machines and void product warranties. Ozone cleaning devices have been linked to health problems, such as asthma attacks and headaches. UV light cleaning devices may also leak unsafe UV radiation.
How Often to Replace BiPAP Parts
Replacing BiPAP accessories on the schedule outlined by your equipment manufacturer will help keep your therapy running smoothly. The table below contains a PAP accessories replacement schedule that approximates most manufacturer recommendations and generally aligns with the timeframe in which health insurance companies will cover new supplies.
| Item | Replace Every |
| Nasal Cushions or Pillows | 2 weeks (twice monthly) |
| Full-Face Mask Cushion | 1 month |
| CPAP Machine Filters | 1 month (disposable), 6 months (reusable) |
| Mask Frame | 3 months |
| Hoses and Tubing | 3 months |
| Headgear | 6 months |
| Chin Strap | 6 months |
| Humidifier Water Chamber | 6 months |
| CPAP Machine | 5 years |
| Heated Humidifier | 5 years |
If you need new PAP accessories, Sleep Doctor sells them online, also offering a subscription option, so you always have fresh supplies on schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the design of the BiPAP machine. Some bilevel positive airway pressure machines have an integrated humidifier that adds a small amount of humidity to the air. This helps prevent excessive drying of the airways, which is a common side effect of CPAP therapy and BiPAP therapy. If the BiPAP or CPAP machine doesn’t have an integrated humidifier, then the machine actually doesn’t need water in any way to operate correctly. Some BiPAP and CPAP machines with integrated humidifiers actually allow the humidification stage to be turned off, in which case water would not be needed for operation. However, if you want to have the humidifier running while using a BiPAP or CPAP machine with an integrated humidification stage, then water is required.
It can be very difficult to point to a single cause of a stroke, but the conditions that increase the likelihood of stroke are well-known. Obstructive sleep apnea is known to be a serious risk factor for having a stroke.
Ideally you should follow manufacturer’s guidelines for how often to clean your positive airway pressure machine, whether it be BiPAP or CPAP. If this seems unmanageable, then less frequent cleaning is better than no cleaning at all. The possibly dire complications from obstructive sleep apnea makes halting BiPAP or CPAP usage because of an unmanageable cleaning schedule potentially dangerous.
One of the major reasons sleep apnea makes you tired is because it disrupts your sleep. When humans sleep, there are four different stages of sleep, starting with a very light sleep and progressing to deep sleep. Every stage of sleep is important for health, but the two deepest stages are very important for feeling rested the next day. When someone briefly stops breathing due to sleep apnea, they temporarily leave the deepest stages of sleep. As a result, less time is spent in the stages of sleep that are critical to feeling rested and restored.
References
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