← Return to Cleaning your nebulizer cup

Discussion

Cleaning your nebulizer cup

MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: Jun 20 6:23pm | Replies (25)

Comment receiving replies
@marilynsm

By what method do you sterilize? I’ve read 8-10% vinegar soak for 30 minutes, or boil in water, but not sure how long. I’ve also read how boiling can damage the nebuluzing equipment.

Jump to this post


Replies to "By what method do you sterilize? I’ve read 8-10% vinegar soak for 30 minutes, or boil..."

Reusasble nebulizer cups can be boiled in a pan of water or disinfected in a steam microwave sterilizer or baby bottle sterilizer. I have not damaged any equipment since I started using a round silicone hot pad in the bottom of my saucepan so the parts do not contact metal. Disposable cups are meant for 1-4 uses (can be washed thoroughly) but heating usually damages or destroys them.

For mesh nebulizers, you need to follow the manufacturer's instructions. Many do not offer an adequate way to sanitize - a self-cleaning cycle with sterile water or using an alcohol wipe will not do it.

According to this article, 6% ascetic acid for 30 minutes will kill mycobacteria to the level considered disinfection. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3940030/

Here is what you need to consider - most household white vinegar is 5% ascetic acid, a few are labeled 6%, BUT it is not FDA tested because the concern is to use a minimum 5% solution for canning.
There is high-concentration ascetic acid available - Home Depot sells a 30% concentration for about $20/gallon , Lab Grade (99 - 99.5%) is widely available online for around $75/gallon. The "upside" is for every gallon jug of 99% I buy, I get 20 gallons for general use or 10 gallons for sterilizing and only ONE jug to dispose of. These are very sturdy, so my daughter uses them for winter-sowing vegetable and flower seeds and can reuse for years.

Dilute this to make whatever concentration you need. For laundry, etc I dilute to 5%. For disinfecting equipment I would use 10% to give a margin of safety. If you use ascetic acid for disinfecting equipment, remember to dilute with sterile water. Do not reuse.

Other options include soaking in 70-90% isopropyl alcohol for a minimum of 10 minutes. Wiping does not count because the disinfectant does not reach all the places bacteria can hide.
Hydrogen peroxide is more tricky - in an open bottle, it quickly loses its effectiveness, depending on how much air and light contact it - usually it should be discarded a month after opening. And soak time I have read varies from 10-30 minutes.