I use my nebulizer twice a day with acetylsisteine and budesinide. I make sure I wash my hands before setting up to use it. After using it, the only parts I clean are the cup and mouthpiece. I'm not breathing into the tube so I don't clean or sterilize that. I just let the nebulizer run for a few minutes after removing the cup, so that any moisture in the tube is dried up. Then, I hang it till the next time I need it. I also use the disposable neb kit, so I replace it once a month, Medicare will cover two kits a month. I soak the cup and the mouthpiece in a solution of half and half of water and white vinegar after rinsing for an hour once a week. Rinse with clear water after, shake as much water out of it as I can, then let it air dry in a container I reserve just for my neb kit. I've been using a nebulizer for 16 years. If you're coughing bad enough to hurt your ribs, you definitely need to nebulize..