Is it okay to microwave nebulizer or in baby bottle sterilizer?

Hi liz440. My routine is similar to yours. I've got several extra neb kits so I do cleaning once a day. I soak for 20 mins in hot water with Dawn. Then I rinse and put them in microwave bag with small amount of distilled water for 1 min 30 secs on regular cook setting. When I get it out I let it sit for 5 mins and drain on clean paper towels. I was in the hospital with COVID last year for 8 days. I could not believe the respiratory therapist just hung the neb kit on the head of the bed to use the next treatment. I told her that is not acceptable and they changed them out afterwards. It's a shame to have to tell them about bacteria.

Thanks. The only difference is that I only sterilize in the microwave once a week. I should have known to tell the respiratory therapist to sterilize or whatever and not just hang it in the kit but I didn't know better and I was too sick to really think about it. My nurse at home did make me immediately throw out that breathing machine they give you with the ball in it.

Yes, the parts are dry when finished.

liz440. Yes it is sad how things are handled while we're inpatients. No wonder there are so many cases of infections during hospitalization.

Hi @healthybon, I merged your discussion with an existing discussion focused on sterilizing equipment titled:

- Is it okay to microwave nebulizer or in baby bottle sterilizer?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/microwaves-and-nebulizers

@healthybon, because bleach can be harmful to the body, have you discussed this process with your provider?

no I haven't Justin...but I will stop using it. I only use a tiny capful and rinse thoroughly..I ordered a Bololo Baby Bottle Sterilizer, so that will work great! Thanks for the info!

NJH recommends using Seventh Generation Plain unscented dish soap for nebulizer cups or Aerobika after each use. I would not use anything other than that personally. And I would be very wary of adding any bleach. But if you boil for 5 minutes every few uses in addition to the soap and water soaking you should be fine. Or sometimes I soak the nebulizer cups in white distilled vinegar for an hour after the soap and water. And soak the Aerobika in 70% alcohol at least once a week after the soap and water. Always rinse thoroughly and shake out moisture before laying on paper towels.

The instructions with my Nebulizer said to soak the parts other than the long hose, in dish washing detergent (I use Dawn)and hot water after each use. Every few days, soak in vinegar and hot water. I’d be afraid to use bleach. I then rinse in hot water and place on a clean towel to dry. I have worried that I may not be getting the equipment entirely sanitized, but it’s what I’ve done for 4 years. My doctor has never said to do anything differently. Good luck to all!

For all concerned about keeping your equipment clean, remember NTM live encapsulated in a biofilm. If you regularly clean your equipment, using soap, hot water and a bottle brush to scrub all accessible surfaces, then rinsing and air drying, you are denying those nasty little bugs a place to thrive. So daily sterilization or alcohol soaks are not strictly necessary. But I won't deny I am also a weekly boiler of my equipment.

But, here's something else to think about. How do you clean inhalers holders (not the canister of medication), spacers, water bottles and straws? Your bathroom glass? These should get the same scrub and soak treatment on a very regular basis. Anything that can tolerate it goes through the sanitizer cycle (148F) in my dishwasher.

We used to hike in Arizona, where desert fever was a big concern, and our friends taught us all water bladders, bottles and straws had to be thoroughly cleaned and dried after every use - we have continued to use the same process everywhere, all the time, and our kids and grandkids do too.

How does everyone else clean these items?
Sue

If you have a mesh nebulizer, it has metal in it. You cannot microwave it. Also, some of the PEP devices have metal components so be careful.