How to clean nebulizer supplies?

@sueinmn when using UV, make sure that the device has mirror like reflective surfaces that maximizes coverage of most device surfaces.

You're welcome. A few times while I was multi-tasking and using the aerobika, I slipped up and inhaled. Now, I make sure that I do nothing else while exhaling. I do 10 exhales, followed by 4-6 huff coughs and repeat. Best of luck to you!

1 cup white vinegar - 3 cups water in bowl - soak all parts/pieces for 20 minutes - rinse with water.

@rockinkranch The concentration of acetic acid you are recommending is not sufficient to kill mycobacteria.
Household vinegar is 5-6% acetic acid, and must be used full-strength for 30 minutes to be effective according to studies. If you are dealing with M. abscessus you need a 10% solution.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/02/140225101501.htm
https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/mbio.00013-14
Therefore, if you plan to disinfect with vinegar, get 6% (read the label because cheaper white vinegars are only 4-5% acetic acid) and soak in full strength household vinegar for 30 minutes.

To limit the amount of plastic waste I generate, I buy 30% acetic acid and dilute 1 part vinegar/4 parts water or 45% acetic acid and dilute 1 part vinegar/6 parts water to get a 6% concentration. (90% is also available (dilute 1:14), but it is very corrosive if spilled and harder to find.)

@sarahlynn1960 Sorry to be so late to reply but I couldn't find the thread... 🙁 Yes, I have called Pari several times and the reps I have spoken to were emphatic about only boiling parts. No specific answer as to why other than "that is our recommendation". I hope all of this ambiguity about how to clean nebulizer parts is clarified soon. No one wants to be using contaminated equipment.

I do the same. I rinse in warm water and allow to air dry.

Hello, I've followed the posts carefully here about cleaning nebulizer supplies (and prior postings on related topics), and I'm very confused and overwhelmed about how to properly clean a nebulizer (and an Aerobika) without it becoming a time-consuming project each day. The instructions for cleaning/sanitizing varies throughout the posts and in my instruction booklet for the Roscoe Rite-NEB5. I don't see a clear set of instructions that are also manageable. I'm also afraid to start nebulizing and "infecting" myself because I didn't clean the nebulizer supplies or Aerobika properly so I'm reluctant to even do it.

I have Bronchiectasis with related COPD and cough variant asthma. I use an inhaler each day and compression vest also. I started taking Brinsupri (10 mg.) in Sept. '26 and had less exacerbations with heavy cough/mucous since starting it, although I recently got sick flying from US to England to visit my daughter and family. Even though Brinsupri has overall improved things, I've been very short of breath and am extremely tired. At my last visit to the Pulminologist, my breathing test was not good (worse than previous tests). My CAT scan didn't show much improvement either, as I had hoped. That's why my doctor now wants me to start nebulizing.

However, as I mentioned above, I can't seem to find consistent instructions on how to clean the nebulizer daily/weekly without lengthy time commitment or risking infecting myself from the equipment if not cleaned exactly right (e.g., will soap and water suffice? Must it be boiled water? Must it be distilled boiled water? For how long? Do you use the microwave? Do you use a baby bottle sterilizer?). It's all so confusing!

Can anyone provide clear, step by step instructions that are manageable AND safe? Thanks for your suggestions. Denise

@phoenixrises
Please do start nebulizing as your Dr recommends. It is so important. Cleaning the Nebulizer cups and the Aerobika is not complicated at all. I soak mine in stainless steel bowls with hot tap water and a little dish soap (I use Seventh Generation scent free but some people use Dawn antibacterial). Then later on that day put into the Baby bottle sterilizer. You can also boil them in water for 10 minutes once a week to be extra thorough. Feel free to private message me for more detailed help. But it is very simple really.

@phoenixrises hello ... warning ‼️ LONG DETAILED POST ....
.
I am a support group leader with ntminfo.org. I recently returned from patient conference in Orlando Florida. Cleaning the aerobika and neb cups seemed overwhelming when I was first diagnosed with bronchiectasis a year ago, however, with support direct from
Monaghan medical (the maker of the aerobika and their neb cups) and the recent sterilizing proven methods from Dr Jennifer Honda's lab and Dr Falkinham's lab I am totally confident knowing my equipment is clean, releasing any potential biofilms
And sterilized ready for the next nebulizing session.
.
For background information on the aerobika and nebulizer cups I highly suggest going into the Monaghanmedical.com website and/or call them. They are very helpful with specific questions. The materials used to make our newest bestie (the aerobika and neb cups) are NTM biofilm resistant and have scientific proof after testing that when you soak and rinse prior to sterilizing, no NTM was present.
.
At conference Dr Jennifer Honda presented their lab testing to show NTM's were eradicated by boiling at 3 minutes. 10 different test sites around the U.S. , all different elevations, tested on the same day boiling at 1 min, 3min, 5 min, 10 min and 15 min performing the test 3 times. All sites conclusion was the same - 3 min boiling eradicated the NTM.
The CF community has always recommended 5 min - so if you feel better about that - round up to 5 min.
They also tested 6 different baby bottle sterilizers and 7 different microwave steam bags. Steam sterilizing proved to work! All brands of steam sterilizing works.
.
Whichever method you choose that works for you best in your routine. Many of us use steam bags when traveling for convenience.
.
Many of us use baby bottle sterilizers. Some of us use a combo of baby bottle sterilizers and boiling methods.
.
Here's my method of cleaning and sterilizing. Hope it helps. Feel free to reach out to me as well directly. I can be reached through the NTMinfo.org - look up group support leaders (I'm ks-ne)
.
I use the aerobika with the aeroclipse II breath actuated (reuseable, boil safe, green cups)
.
After nebulizing I take everything apart and rinse first, then soak in a bowl of hot soapy water and dishsoap. Yes, I use tap water. The sterilizing will eradicate any potential NTM in the tap water.
I use dawn free and clear or 7th generation clear, but blue dawn soap works too - doesn't take very much just a couple drops) I soak between 5-15 min (per Monoghan medical instructions) then I rinse really well, shake out and put in my baby bottle sterilizer. I use boiled distilled water in my sterilizer to help eliminate mineral buildup on the plate. I put all the equipment (still separated) in the baby bottle sterilizer and run the sterilizer/dry cycle. I leave it all in there until next use.
.
From start of nebulizing session to time to pop into baby bottle sterilizer is about 45 minutes for me. 15-20 to neb (I use together with the aerobika), 10-25 min soak and rinse. I only neb 7% saline. Obviously if you have other meds to neb or use aerobika separately it may take more time - each one of us is unique with varying degrees of medicine needs. I do this 2x day.
.
As an added precaution (because that's how I roll 😊) after 2nd neb session, I boil once a week for 5 minutes then pop in the baby bottle sterilizer on dry cycle. I use a silicone basket to hold the parts (so they don't touch the metal sides or bottom of the pot). Water must be a rapid boil before dropping in equipment. I picked a day that was the easiest and least hectic for me. I'm a "stacker" so I try and stack any extra tasks on the same day or near the same time.
.
You can boil on the stovetop if you wish but obviously would need to watch and set a timer so don't boil over or boil dry. You can use tap water if you wish as NTM is eradicated when boiled after 10 minutes and it takes that long generally to get to rapid boil anyway .... OR
I use an instant pot to boil water (and I use distilled water - again for mineral buildup precautions) so I don't have to worry or stand watch. If you want instant pot instructions let me know. If you don't already have one it's not necessary if you like the stovetop method of boiling or are already used to boiling water for other reasons! Keep it simple and adaptable to your lifestyle and time factors. No need for unnecessary extra work or equipment to do the job 👍
.
Sidebar to keeping baby bottle sterilizer in clean, good working order ....
If buildup starts to form I clean the plate with a vinegar/water soak, scrub the plate gently (nothing abrasive) pour off the mixture. One in awhile (every couple weeks) I clean the interior of the baby bottle sterilizer with hot soapy tap water, rinse, and then run a sterilizing/dry cycle (with the distilled water) without any equipment.
.
And lastly, to keep the aerobika and neb cups in good mineral buildup free - some of us give our equipment a spa day - soak for 30 minutes in 50/50 mix of water and 5% acidity vinegar. I always try and stack those extra tasks along with other cleaning tasks or with any other routine tasks to save time and energy.
.
PLEASE Feel free to reach out if you have other questions.

@kate2025 Why is a sterilizer needed if we boil for 5 minutes and let air dry? thanks