How to Clean Your CPAP: A Simple Daily and Weekly Routine
Quick answer: Clean your mask cushion every day and your tubing, headgear and mask frame once a week, using warm water and a mild, unscented liquid soap. Empty and air-dry your water chamber every morning. Dry everything out of direct sunlight. Don’t put tubing in a dishwasher or washing machine, and avoid perfumed soaps, bleach and harsh cleaners. Your device’s user guide has the final word for your specific model.
Your CPAP cleaning schedule at a glance
| Part | Daily | Weekly | Replace (typical) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mask cushion or nasal pillows | ✅ Wash or wipe | Every 2–4 weeks | |
| Water chamber | ✅ Empty, rinse, air-dry | ✅ Wash with mild soap | About every 6 months |
| Tubing / hose | Hang to dry | ✅ Wash inside and out | About every 3 months |
| Mask frame | ✅ Wash | Every 3–6 months | |
| Headgear | ✅ Hand-wash | About every 6 months | |
| Disposable filter | Check | Check | Every 2–4 weeks (never wash) |
| Machine exterior | Wipe with a damp cloth | n/a |
See the full replacement schedule for every part →
What you need
- A mild, unscented liquid soap. Avoid perfumed soaps and moisturizing soaps that leave residue.
- Warm, drinking-quality water
- A clean towel
- Optional: a soft brush for mask vents and a tube-cleaning brush
- Optional: CPAP mask wipes for quick daily cushion cleaning
Every morning (about 2 minutes)
- Disconnect the mask and tubing from the machine.
- Clean the cushion or pillows. Gently rub them in warm, soapy water to remove facial oils, then rinse well. Or use a CPAP mask wipe on busy days.
- Empty the water chamber, rinse it, and leave it open to air-dry. How to clean and replace your water chamber →
- Hang the tubing so any moisture can drain and dry.
- Let everything air-dry on a clean towel, out of direct sunlight.
Memory foam cushions are different. Foam cushions such as the AirTouch F20 must never be washed or submerged. Wipe them clean instead. See AirTouch F20 foam cushion care →
Once a week (about 10 minutes)
- Take the mask apart: cushion, frame, elbow and headgear. Your mask user guide shows how.
- Wash the frame and elbow in warm, soapy water. Use a soft brush on the vent and crevices.
- Hand-wash the headgear in warm, soapy water. Don’t wring it out; press out the water and lay it flat to dry.
- Wash the tubing inside and out. Swirl warm, soapy water through it, use a tube brush if you have one, then rinse thoroughly until no soap remains.
- Wash the water chamber with warm, soapy water, or on the top rack of the dishwasher if it’s a dishwasher-safe “cleanable” version.
- Check the filter. Disposable filters aren’t washable. Replace it if it looks grey or dirty. Which AirSense 11 filter to use →
- Wipe the outside of the machine with a damp cloth. Never put water into the machine itself.
- Air-dry everything completely before reassembling.
What not to use
- Perfumed or scented soaps, or soaps with moisturizers
- Bleach, alcohol, or harsh household cleaners
- Dishwasher detergent
- A dishwasher or washing machine for tubing
- Hot water or a hairdryer to speed drying, which can warp parts
- Direct sunlight for drying, which can degrade silicone over time
Do you need a CPAP cleaning machine?
Most people don’t. Manufacturers such as ResMed instruct users to clean their equipment with mild soap and warm water, and ResMed’s warranty excludes damage to its machines caused by ozone devices.
In 2020, the FDA cautioned that CPAP cleaners using ozone or UV light weren’t legally marketed for that use, and recommended following the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. The FDA has since authorized at least one CPAP cleaning device. Even so, if you’re considering any cleaning device, check your machine and mask manufacturer’s guidance and warranty terms first.
Soap and water, done consistently, is what the manufacturers recommend, and it costs almost nothing.
Troubleshooting
My mask smells. Usually it’s built-up skin oil or soap residue. Clean the cushion daily and rinse more thoroughly. If the smell stays, the cushion is likely due for replacement.
My tubing smells or has spots inside. Wash and rinse it thoroughly, and make sure it dries completely between uses. If spots or odour remain after cleaning, replace the tube.
There’s a white film in my water chamber. That’s mineral build-up from tap water. Switch to distilled water, and replace the chamber if the film won’t wash off.
My cushion still leaks after cleaning. Cleaning removes oils, but it can’t restore worn silicone. If it still leaks, it’s time for a new cushion.
Cleaning keeps parts working, but it doesn’t make them last forever
Even with perfect cleaning, cushions, filters, tubing and chambers wear out. Cleaning helps them reach their normal lifespan, not go past it. Keep a spare cushion and filter on hand so a worn part never interrupts a night.
All replacement parts, including cushions, pillows, filters, tubing, headgear and chambers, can be bought without a prescription.
At MyCPAPZone: [CONFIRM — whether CPAP wipes, mask soap, tube brushes or tubing hangers are stocked; list and link them if so.]
Frequently asked questions
How often should I clean my CPAP mask?
Clean the cushion or pillows every day, and wash the full mask (frame, elbow and headgear) once a week.
How often should I clean my CPAP tubing?
Once a week. Wash it inside and out with warm, soapy water, rinse thoroughly and air-dry it out of direct sunlight.
What soap should I use to clean my CPAP?
A mild, unscented liquid soap with warm water. Avoid perfumed soaps, moisturizing soaps, bleach and dishwasher detergent.
Can I put CPAP parts in the dishwasher?
Only parts labelled dishwasher safe, such as some “cleanable” water chambers, on the top rack. Tubing should never go in a dishwasher or washing machine.
Do I need a CPAP cleaning machine?
Most users don’t. Manufacturers such as ResMed recommend cleaning with mild soap and warm water. If you’re considering a cleaning device, check your manufacturer’s guidance and warranty first.
Can I wash my CPAP filter?
Not a disposable filter. Those are replaced, not washed. Some older machines use a reusable foam filter that can be rinsed as described in the user guide.
This article is general consumer information about CPAP equipment care. It is not medical advice. Always follow the cleaning instructions in your device and mask user guides.