Five tips to keep your CPAP machine clean
If you have a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine as a part of your sleep apnea therapy, it’s important that you are taking regular care of it.
Just like any other piece of healthcare equipment, keeping it clean is not only important for good hygiene, but it also helps ensure it is working correctly to maximise its efficacy during your treatment.
We understand that, when you first begin to use your CPAP machine, there is a lot of information to take on board. After receiving your diagnosis and obtaining your unit, cleaning routines can be overlooked or missed.
Don’t worry! This article is here to help by offering five tips on how to take good care of your CPAP machine to keep it clean for regular use.
1) Refer To The Machine’s Instructions
Your CPAP machine comes with a detailed set of step-by-step instructions on how to disassemble and clean it correctly. Remember to always follow both the User Guide as well as the advice of your medical professional to ensure the most effective cleaning method. Incorrect cleaning may cause damage to the machine.
2) Keep A Regular Cleaning Routine
As the CPAP machine involves you breathing directly from it, not keeping it clean can mean you are breathing in the germs and bacteria that may be growing inside it. Maintaining a regular and thorough cleaning routine means that your machine never goes too long without care.
3) Clean More After Being Sick
If you have been unwell recently, such as with the flu or a cold, it’s advisable to clean your CPAP machine more frequently than normal.
4) Do Not Use a Dish Washer
While a dishwasher is great for saving time cleaning your dishes, it’s not suitable for the parts of your CPAP machine. Unfortunately, the mechanism of the washer can be too strong for the CPAP equipment and may lead to damage. The same goes for a washing machine or powerful hose head.
5) Use Gentle Soap
There are a lot of harsh all-purpose cleaners on the market that we are all used to using in our kitchens, our bathrooms, and all over the house. This can lead to the assumption that they are also suitable for use on the CPAP machine too, however, this is not the case. These products contain chemicals that can damage sensitive equipment. Ensure that you only use a gentle, non-perfumed soap to keep the CPAP machine clean without causing any unexpected problems.
Your CPAP Machine is designed to deliver results to help treat your sleep apnea so that you can get a better night’s sleep. As it’s helping you, don’t forget to take good care of it by keeping it clean in return! Remember, good hygiene is important when it comes to your health.
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