Cleaning and care
How to Clean CPAP Tubing (Standard and Heated)
Wash CPAP tubing weekly in warm water with mild dish soap, swish it so the whole inside is wet, rinse thoroughly and hang it to air dry before use. Do not put tubing in a dishwasher or washing machine, and replace it when it cracks, tears or will not come clean.
Step by step
Disconnect the hose from the machine and the mask. Fill a clean sink or basin with warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap. Submerge the hose and move it back and forth so soapy water runs through the whole length. Philips' DreamStation 2 manual says to make sure the entire inner surface is fully immersed during gentle agitation by hand.
Drain, then rinse with clean water until no soap remains. Hang it over a shower rod or a hose hanger with both ends pointing down so water can drain, and let it dry fully before your next night.
Heated tubing
Heated hoses like ResMed ClimateLineAir or the Philips heated tube contain wires and a connector at the machine end. Wash them the same way but keep the electrical connector end dry where the manual says to, and make sure the hose is completely dry before plugging it in.
Never use a hair dryer or heat to dry any tubing; ResMed says to dry parts out of direct sunlight or heat.
Using a brush
A long, soft CPAP hose brush can remove film you cannot rinse out. Push it through gently so you do not tear the inner wall.
If you see dark spots that do not come off with soap and a brush, replace the hose.
What not to do
ResMed says not to wash air tubing in a dishwasher or washing machine, and not to wash it hotter than 55 C. Avoid bleach, chlorine, scented and antibacterial soaps, which ResMed lists among things not to use.
Do not boil tubing, and do not leave it soaking for long periods in anything other than what your manual allows.
When to replace tubing
Replace tubing when you see holes, tears or cracks, or when it stays discolored. Philips says to discard and replace the DreamStation 2 tubing every 6 months; Medicare's usual maximum is 1 standard tube (A7037) or 1 heated tube (A4604) every 3 months.
A slow leak in the hose shows up as higher leak readings and sometimes a whistling noise.
Supplies that can help
A long, flexible brush sized to reach the full length of CPAP tubing so you can scrub the inside, not just soak it.
Plain, mild dish soap is the cleaning agent most CPAP makers and the FDA point to for masks, tubing and humidifier chambers.
A simple hook or hanger for drying CPAP tubing vertically after washing, and for keeping it off the floor.
The plain hose between the machine and the mask; it wears out and should be replaced on a regular schedule.
Tubing with a built-in heating wire that keeps humidified air warm all the way to the mask, which is the main fix for rainout (water droplets …
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Frequently asked questions
How often should I clean my CPAP hose?
Weekly is the standard in ResMed and Philips manuals. Rinse or hang it to dry daily if you notice condensation.
How do I dry CPAP tubing quickly?
Shake out the water, then hang it vertically with both ends down. Avoid heat. Some people keep a second hose so one can dry while the other is in use.
Can I use vinegar in my CPAP tubing?
ResMed's AirSense 11 guide lists vinegar for the water tub and outlet connector, but specifies mild dishwashing liquid for the air tubing. Stick with what your manual lists for each part.
Why is there black stuff in my CPAP hose?
It may be mold or residue. Wash and brush it; if the spots remain, replace the hose and dry future hoses fully between uses.
Sources
Last reviewed October 11, 2026. How we research · Report an error