What is your CPAP Cleaning Routine?

So thankful for this site. I'm in the wakeful waiting stage of MAC and I've been a CPAP user for six years. The CPAP machine constantly blows distilled water mist down my throat, so my question is about the distilled water, is it MAC free or do I need to boil my distilled water as well? I appreciate any thoughts, thanks!

Hi @pjas972j, I added your question to the Sleep Health group (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/sleep-health/) as well as the MAC group so you'll get more input from fellow CPAP users. You might find some helpful tips in this discussion.
- Cleaning your CPAP mask https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cleaning-your-cpap-mask/

While my mom uses distilled water in the water chamber, she doesn't boil it additionally. She uses tap water and soap to clean the CPAP, but maybe she should use boiled water instead given that she's on well water with a water softener added. I'll be interested what others say , like @macheese @macjane @pamelasc1 @brigby.

Has your doctor recommended adding medication to the water? I hadn't heard of that.

Hi @pjas972j, I also used a SoClean 2 after about a month of washing the mask daily and the tubing once a week got the best of me. I only used warm soapy water and used a small amount of the regular dish soap. The SoClean made it so much easier I never looked back after starting with it. I never smelled the ozone like some folks but it may be because I opened the chamber after it was done and wasn't in the room for a few hours. I recently upgraded and purchased the SoClean 3 which is a little larger and also has a fresh air cycle that you can run after the cleaning cycle if you notice an ozone smell. I did look into a UV one but they do not really clean/disinfect the tubing as well as the SoClean. Still I wash the tubing in the since about once a month and replace my mask 2 to 3 months.

When I used the dehumidifier I only use distilled water. There is no need to boil the water unless you are using regular tap water. l still sometimes use a treated CPAP wipe on the masks even though I've run it through the SoClean. Here's some info on cleaning CPAP equipment.

Ultimate How To Guide: Best Ways To Clean Your CPAP: https://www.cpap.com/blog/need-know-cpap-cleaning/

I appreciate your help! My doctor has not recommended medication via CPAP, although that sounds useful. I goggled and discovered distilled and purified water should be bacteria free. I put a filter on my showerhead that is supposed to remove bacteria as well. I'm trying!

@johnbishop, @macheese, @pjas972j and all...Hello, fellow night breathers. Isn't it fun to wear that C-PAP? Actually, I've now graduated to the Bipap use and do love it, it helps me so much. I apparently have a bit of autonomic neuropathy that affects my breathing among other things. The Bi-PAP reminds my body to breathe again. It helps when awake as well. Love it.

When I used the C-pap several years ago, I began to get regular infections, bronchitis and once led to pneumonia. I have a bunch of other issues and it's tough to clean the c-pap machine properly as often as needed. So when I was tested and began the B-pap with a SoClean 2., I fell in love. Haven't had a new sinus or lung infection since using SoClean2. Like John, I use the SoClean wipes or liquid cleaner occasionally to clean the machine itself. I wipe it down and change the filter in the B-pap machine often. I don't clean the nasal couch I use instead of a mask. I replace it once a week.

Distilled water has worked well for me. I don't clean the tubes or anything else now with tap water, only touch the parts with distilled or wipes. I use a humidifier and a heated tube to warm the room air a bit, as I live in Florida, use the AC a lot and the heat is horrid. So, I need additional humidification. The total process works very well for me and I'm thrilled with the improvements I have from this machine and SoClean.

I'm breathing better during waking hours now. Not perfect, but keeping the O2 levels up in the mid- 90's range. I don't think it's ever been 98 or 100 at home. Maybe in hospital on O2, but even there I stay in the mid-'90s. I'm having a bunch of asthma last several weeks, probably due to a Vasculitis flare. We'll see Wednesday as I have an appointment with Mayo rheumatology and bloodwork to figure out what's happening. Thankfully...

Blessings as you work through your nighttime breathing. Use distilled water, might even clean with it as a safeguard. Makes a bit of sense. elizabeth

No, my doctor hasn't added any medication. I guess you use a nebulizer for that. I was just brainstorming about ways that could keep the water in the Cpap more purified. I started boiling distilled water, but wondering what might be living in the machine since I've used it for a number of years.

Thanks so much Elizabeth, I struggle with keeping my CPAP clean too. Phillips says not to use SoClean in the Dreamstation. I will take your advice about using distilled water to clean hoses etc Now I'm becoming paranoid of water, steam and rain! What a mess.

@macheese and all...You can also try using a mixture of water and vinegar, a wonderful cleaner for the home. I shouldn't harm your machine as long as you dilute it and rinse well. Great cleaner, but you don't want to have to smell the vinegar as you sleep! Bless you, as you head toward good things and good sleep. elizabeth

On my list of things to do today, much appreciated!

Any intel on the Sani Bot cleaner?

New CPAP user here...going really well so far. Looking at cleaning options. SaniBot looks appealing to me because it sanitizes but also loosens and clears debris, rather than only sanitizing, like ozone or uv?

Thanks for any comments.