Cleaning and care
CPAP Cleaning Routine: What to Clean Daily and Weekly
Daily, empty and clean the water tub and wipe or wash the mask cushion. Weekly, wash the tubing, tub and mask parts in warm water with mild dish soap, rinse well and air dry out of direct sunlight. The FDA says most CPAP parts can be cleaned with mild soap and water as the owner's manual describes.
Why cleaning matters
Skin oils break down mask cushions and spoil the seal. Standing water and moisture in the tub and hose can grow mold and bacteria. Dust clogs filters and makes the motor work harder.
None of this requires gadgets. The FDA's consumer update on CPAP cleaners points patients to the manufacturer's instructions, which for most masks, hoses and humidifier tanks means mild soap and water.
Daily routine
Each morning, empty the water tub. ResMed's AirSense 11 guide says to empty the tub, wipe it thoroughly with a clean disposable cloth and let it dry out of direct sunlight. Philips says to hand wash the DreamStation 2 water tank daily and to empty and clean it daily to prevent mold and bacteria growth.
Wipe the mask cushion with a mask wipe or wash it with warm water and mild soap, as the mask's own guide directs, then rinse and air dry. Hang the hose so water drains out.
Weekly routine
Once a week, wash the tubing, water tub and any connectors in warm water with mild dishwashing liquid, rinse thoroughly and air dry. ResMed says not to wash these parts hotter than 55 C (about 131 F) by hand, and not to put the air tubing in a dishwasher or washing machine.
Wash the mask frame and headgear per the mask guide; headgear is usually hand washed and air dried. Wipe the outside of the machine with a damp cloth. Philips specifies a cloth dampened, not dripping, with about 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap per gallon of warm water.
What not to use
ResMed's manuals say not to use bleach, chlorine or aromatic based solutions, moisturizing or antibacterial soaps, or scented oils on the device, tub or tubing. These can damage materials or leave residue you breathe in.
Never submerge the machine itself or any part with a power cord. Avoid ozone and UV cleaners; see our guide on the FDA's warnings.
After you have been sick
Clean everything carefully after a cold, flu or COVID. The AASM advises replacing filters and disposable accessories after you have recovered from COVID-19.
Wash your hands before and after handling the equipment, as the AASM recommends.
Checklist
- Empty and wipe or wash the water tub every morning.
- Wipe or wash the mask cushion daily.
- Hang tubing to drain and dry.
- Weekly: wash tubing, tub and mask parts in warm water with mild soap.
- Rinse well and air dry out of direct sunlight.
- Check the air filter.
Supplies that can help
Plain, mild dish soap is the cleaning agent most CPAP makers and the FDA point to for masks, tubing and humidifier chambers.
Pre-moistened wipes for a quick daily wipe of the mask cushion, mostly to remove skin oils between proper washes.
A long, flexible brush sized to reach the full length of CPAP tubing so you can scrub the inside, not just soak it.
A simple hook or hanger for drying CPAP tubing vertically after washing, and for keeping it off the floor.
Distilled water is what most CPAP humidifier chambers are meant to be filled with, because it leaves little or no mineral scale behind.
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Frequently asked questions
How often should I clean my CPAP?
Clean the water tub and mask cushion daily and the tubing, tub and mask parts weekly with mild soap and water. Check your own manual, because intervals differ slightly by model.
Can I put CPAP parts in the dishwasher?
Some, not all. ResMed allows the HumidAir 11 tub and outlet connector in a dishwasher at 65 C or less, but not the air tubing. Philips allows the DreamStation 2 water tank on the top shelf. Check each part's guide.
What soap is best for CPAP cleaning?
A mild, unscented dishwashing liquid without moisturizers or antibacterial additives. ResMed specifically lists antibacterial and moisturizing soaps among things not to use.
Do I need a CPAP sanitizer machine?
No. The FDA says most CPAPs can be cleaned with soap and water, and it has warned that ozone and UV products sold for this purpose carry risks. As of its 2024 update it had authorized only one add-on device, and even that does not replace normal cleaning.
Sources
Last reviewed October 11, 2026. How we research · Report an error