How to Clean a CPAP Machine: A Step-by-Step Guide from a Sleep Clinic
How to Clean a CPAP Machine: A Step-by-Step Guide from a Sleep Clinic
Medically reviewed by Dr Miriam Vassallo MD MRCP FRACP, respiratory and sleep physician, Breathe Well — 23 September 2026
A CPAP machine works by pushing air from your bedroom, through a humidifier, along a hose and into your airway for the whole night. Everything that air touches on the way is worth keeping clean. Done properly, cleaning takes about five minutes a day and twenty minutes a week, and it makes a real difference to how comfortable the therapy feels.
Here is the routine we give our own patients at Breathe Well.
What you need
Warm water and a mild, unscented liquid soap are enough for almost everything. Avoid anything perfumed, antibacterial or alcohol-based — the residue irritates airways and degrades silicone cushions faster. A soft cloth, a drying rack or towel, and a hose brush cover the rest. Pre-moistened CPAP wipes are convenient for the mask cushion on busy mornings, though they are a supplement to washing rather than a replacement for it.
Every day: the mask cushion
The cushion sits against your skin all night and collects facial oils, which is the main cause of both mask leaks and skin irritation. Wipe it down each morning with a damp cloth or a CPAP wipe, then let it air dry out of direct sunlight.
If you find your mask has started leaking or sliding after a few weeks, oil build-up on the cushion is the first thing to check, before you start adjusting the headgear.
Every day: the humidifier tub
Empty any leftover water in the morning — do not top it up. Standing water in a warm tub is exactly the environment you would rather not be breathing through. Rinse the tub and refill it with fresh distilled or cooled boiled water before bed.
Tap water is usable in most parts of Australia but leaves mineral scale over time, which shortens the life of the tub. Distilled water is the safer habit.
Every week: mask, tubing and humidifier tub
Once a week, take fifteen minutes to wash everything properly:
- Disassemble the mask into cushion, frame and headgear.
- Wash the cushion and frame in warm water with a small amount of mild soap. Rinse thoroughly — soap residue is a common and easily missed cause of skin irritation.
- Wash the headgear by hand and reshape it while damp. Do not put it in a washing machine or dryer; the elastic stretches and stops holding a seal.
- Wash the tubing by filling it with warm soapy water, sealing both ends, shaking it, then running clean water through. A hose brush makes this easier. Hang it over a shower rail or door to drain — a loop of hose with water in it will not dry.
- Wash the humidifier tub in warm soapy water. If scale has built up, soak it in one part white vinegar to three parts water for around 20 minutes, then rinse well.
- Wipe the outside of the machine with a lightly damp cloth. Never submerge it and never let water into the air outlet.
Everything needs to be completely dry before it goes back together. Damp tubing is the most common cause of that stale smell people notice a few weeks in.
Every three months: filters
Check the filter monthly and replace it when it looks grey or discoloured. Disposable filters are typically replaced every three months, sooner in dusty environments or if you have pets. A blocked filter makes the motor work harder and reduces the airflow you actually receive.
You can find the correct filter for your machine in our CPAP filters range — note that AirSense 10 and AirSense 11 filters are not interchangeable.
How often should each part be replaced?
Cleaning extends the life of your equipment but does not replace it. Silicone perishes, elastic stretches, and a mask that no longer seals is the single most common reason people give up on CPAP therapy. Below is a general guide, but please follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for your particular mask.
Part Replace roughly every Non-silicone cushions (AirTouch) 1 month Disposable filter 3 months Silicone mask cushions 6 months Headgear 6 months Chinstraps 6 months Mask frame 6 -12 months Tubing 12 months Humidifier tub 12 months Machine 5 years Replacement cushions, headgear and frames for the ResMed AirFit and AirTouch ranges are in our mask components section.
A note on ozone and UV cleaners
Automated “CPAP sanitiser” devices that use ozone gas or ultraviolet light are marketed heavily online. We do not recommend them routinely.
Ozone may reduce microorganisms but it is a respiratory irritant, and residual ozone in tubing has been linked to airway irritation and can damage the equipment. It also does not remove facial oils, dust, secretions or deposits. UV light only disinfects the surfaces it directly reaches, which is not the inside of a coiled hose. Several manufacturers, ResMed included, advise that using these devices can void the warranty on your equipment.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put CPAP parts in the dishwasher? A dishwasher can be used for parts that are marked dishwasher-safe by the manufacturer.
Can I use vinegar to clean my CPAP? Diluted white vinegar is suitable for descaling the humidifier tub occasionally. Rinse thoroughly afterwards and do not use it on the mask cushion or inside the machine.
Why does my CPAP smell? This is almost always due to incompletely dried tubing, or a humidifier tub that has not been emptied daily. If the smell persists after a thorough wash and full drying, replace the tubing.
How often should I clean my CPAP if I have a cold? Wash the mask and tubing daily while you are unwell, and replace the filter afterwards.
Do I need special CPAP soap? No. Mild, unscented liquid soap is fine. Avoid anything antibacterial, perfumed or moisturising, as the residue irritates airways and degrades silicone.
When to ask for help
If your mask leaks after cleaning and a cushion replacement, the problem is usually fit rather than hygiene, and a different mask style may suit you better. If you are waking unrefreshed despite using your machine consistently, that is worth raising with your treating doctor — it may mean your pressure settings need review rather than your equipment.
Our team at Breathe Well fits and supplies CPAP equipment as part of a specialist respiratory and sleep clinic, so if something is not working you can speak to people who treat sleep apnoea rather than a call centre. Get in touch if you would like a hand.
This article is general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Speak to your treating doctor about your own therapy.
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