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The routine, in two parts
Looking after a CPAP comes down to two habits. A daily one that takes a minute, and a weekly one that takes ten. The rest is periodic inspection.
| How often | What you do |
|---|---|
| Every day | Empty the tub, wipe it, refill with fresh water |
| Every week | Wash the tub and tubing, wipe the outside of the device |
| Every six months | Replace the air filter, inspect the tubing and tub |
What to wash with, and above all what not to
ResMed is explicit on this point, and this is where the real damage happens.
- Allowed: warm water and a mild dishwashing liquid. For the tub, a solution of one part white vinegar to nine parts water at room temperature
- Forbidden: bleach, chlorine, aromatic based solutions, moisturising or antibacterial soaps, scented oils
- Also forbidden: washing above 55 degrees
These products damage the materials, reduce humidifier performance and void the warranty. An antibacterial soap is not a bonus precaution, it is a mistake.
Cleaning a ResMed AirSense 11
Taking it apart
- Hold the tub at the top and bottom, press it gently and pull it away from the device.
- Open the tub and discard any remaining water.
- Pinch the cuff of the air tubing and gently pull it away from the device.
- Hold the cuff of the tubing and the swivel of the mask, then gently pull apart.
- Locate the outlet connector inside the device and release it by pressing the clip firmly.
- Remove the outlet connector by pulling it out through its socket at the rear of the device.
Washing
Every day, empty the tub, wipe it thoroughly with a clean disposable cloth and let it dry out of direct sunlight.
Every week, wash the tubing, the tub and the outlet connector in warm water with a mild dishwashing liquid. Rinse thoroughly, then dry out of direct sunlight and away from any heat source. Wipe the exterior of the device with a dry cloth.
Putting it back together
- Hold the outlet connector with the seal pointing left and the clip pointing forward.
- Align it correctly and insert it into the socket.
- Check that it is fully seated.
- Connect the tubing firmly to the air outlet at the rear of the device.
- Open the tub and fill it to the maximum water level mark.
- Close the tub and insert it into the side of the device.
- Connect the free end of the tubing firmly to the assembled mask.
Cleaning a ResMed AirSense 10
Taking it apart
- Hold the tub at the top and bottom, press it gently and pull it away from the device.
- Open the tub and discard any remaining water.
- Hold the cuff of the tubing and gently pull it away from the device.
- Hold the cuff of the tubing and the swivel of the mask, then gently pull apart.
Washing
Every week, wash the tub and tubing in warm water using only a mild detergent. Rinse thoroughly, let dry out of direct sunlight and heat, then wipe the exterior of the device with a dry cloth.
Putting it back together
- Connect the tubing firmly to the air outlet at the rear of the device.
- Open the tub and fill it with distilled room temperature water up to the maximum mark.
- Close the tub and insert it into the side of the device.
- Connect the free end of the tubing to the assembled mask.
The inspection everyone forgets
Cleaning is not enough, you also have to look. Once a month, take thirty seconds.
- The tub: replace it if it leaks, if it is cracked, cloudy or pitted. Replace it too if the seal is cracked or torn
- White deposits: those are minerals. Remove them with a solution of one part white vinegar to ten parts water, then rinse with clean water
- The tubing: replace it at the first hole, tear or crack. A pinhole leak in the tubing shows up as leaks you will hunt for in vain around the mask
What this page does not cover
The mask has its own routine, different and more frequent. It is covered in our guide on cleaning your CPAP mask.
The air filter is not washable and not reusable, it gets replaced. That is the subject of our dedicated page on filter replacement.
Read more
- Cleaning your CPAP mask
- CPAP humidifier: the complete guide
- The heated CPAP tube
- CPAP mask leaking: causes and fixes
All our settings tutorials
Each tutorial gives the procedure for both the AirSense 11 and the AirSense 10.
- Setting the ramp
- Setting humidification and tube temperature
- EPR and SmartStart: what you set yourself
- Running the mask fit test
- Replacing the air filter
- SD card, myAir and therapy data
- Turning on airplane mode
Frequently asked questions about cleaning a CPAP
It depends on your device. On the AirSense 11, the tub and outlet connector are dishwasher safe. On the AirSense 10 the manual forbids it outright, for both the tub and the tubing. In both cases the tubing never goes in a dishwasher.
No, provided you respect the dilution. ResMed recommends one part vinegar to nine or ten parts water, at room temperature. That is the stated method for removing white mineral deposits. Always rinse with clean water afterwards.
No, and it is counterintuitive. ResMed forbids antibacterial and moisturising soaps, bleach, chlorine, aromatic solutions and scented oils. They degrade the materials and can void the warranty. A mild dishwashing liquid is enough.
There is no mandated interval, condition decides. Replace it as soon as it shows a hole, a tear or a crack. In practice, tubing used every night usually gets replaced once or twice a year.
Yes, it is the single most important habit. Water sitting all day in a warm tub is an ideal breeding ground. Empty it, wipe it with a clean cloth, let it dry, and refill just before the next night.
ResMed explicitly warns that exposure to ozone can damage the device, and that resulting damage is not covered by the warranty. The manual cleaning described here remains the manufacturer approved method.