In addition, some advertisers claim that CPAP cleaners or sanitizers like SoClean or Lumin can reduce CPAP users’ risk of infections.
But is there any evidence to support those claims? This article explains the purposes, costs, potential benefits, and possible risks of CPAP cleaners.
Keeping CPAP Equipment Clean
CPAP manufacturers, suppliers, and sleep physicians all recommend cleaning CPAP equipment regularly. In fact, healthcare providers consider a person’s ability to keep CPAP products clean and well maintained before recommending them.
Basic cleaning instructions include:
Washing the mask, tubing, and water chamber daily (or at least weekly) with liquid dish soap and hot water Replacing the device’s filter every 2 to 4 weeks Using distilled water in the water chamber
This cleaning standard can be hard to maintain. Therefore, some people never clean their equipment. But dirty equipment can lead to significant problems, including:
Minerals may accumulate within the water chamber. Mucus can collect in the mask. Germs may proliferate in the tubing. Mold may grow in moist environments. The machine may develop an unpleasant smell. The equipment may appear unhygienic.
Infection Risks
CPAP has been around for more than 35 years. Millions of people use the therapy nightly.
In a 2017 study of 137 people, there were no differences found between CPAP users and non-CPAP users regarding upper respiratory infections and pneumonia.
CPAP use, mask choice, or humidifier use had no impact on the prevalence of infections. In addition, it also did not affect the type of micro-organisms that were isolated based on nasal, mask, and humidifier swabs.
In an earlier study from 2012, researchers found CPAP treatment decreased inflammation and mucus production within the nose, potentially reducing congestion and the risk for infection.
Sanitizing Options
Most professionals recommend cleaning CPAP equipment with liquid dish soap and hot water or diluted vinegar and water. For decades, these cleaning standards have proven adequate in preventing widespread respiratory infections associated with CPAP use.
A number of companies have developed a niche market of CPAP cleaners and sanitizers that use ozone gas or ultraviolet (UV) light. However, there is concern over the use of these devices.
SoClean 2
SoClean 2 is an automatic CPAP cleaner that allows users to clean their CPAP machine daily without taking the machine apart. Instead, it cleans by delivering ozone into a sealed container and the CPAP device’s internal chambers from the mask via the tubing.
Benefits
The device reportedly kills 99.9% of bacteria found in CPAP masks, tubing, and water reservoirs based on controlled laboratory testing.
In addition, you don’t have to disassemble the mask —it is placed directly in the container with the tubing poking through a side hole.
A smaller travel version, the So Clean 2 Go, operates on eight AA batteries.
Risks
Since ozone exposure is potentially dangerous for those with respiratory conditions, the residual smell of ozone may be unpleasant and risky. Federal law describes it as a “toxic gas with no known useful medical application.”
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that relatively low amounts of ozone can cause shortness of breath and worsen chronic respiratory disease. Ironically, exposure to it may compromise the body’s ability to fight respiratory infections.
As of February 1, 2020, ResMed has indicated that ozone damage will void the CPAP manufacturer’s warranty. Therefore, they recommend that SoClean not be used with ResMed CPAP machines.
Cost: $398
Annual replacement parts: $30 (cartridge filter kit)
Lumin
Lumin uses UVB light to clean and sanitize CPAP machines. To use, place the mask or water chamber in the sliding drawer to clean. Since you don’t experience direct exposure to UV light, the risks associated with it (such as skin cancer or eye damage) are irrelevant.
Benefits
This device promises to kill 99% of bacteria with UV light. In addition, it works quickly, delivering a dose of sanitizing light in just five minutes.
You can also use it to clean dentures, hearing aids, and toothbrushes.
Risks
The device may create an unpleasant smell within the equipment, but this may not be harmful. Unfortunately, it only cleans the surfaces directly exposed to the light.
Opaque materials may interfere with the efficacy of the cleaning. Therefore, you can not use it to clean CPAP tubing (you would need to use a separate device to clean the tubing).
It is theoretically possible that the UV light may deteriorate the plastics of the CPAP equipment.
Cost: $249
Annual replacement parts: None
Summary
CPAP sanitizing machines can be used to disinfect CPAP devices. However, there is no evidence that sanitizing devices reduce the risk of infection.
Further, the FDA has not authorized their use in the United States and continues to investigate product manufacturers to verify the devices are safe and effective. Ultimately, regularly cleaning your CPAP with soap and water is considered the best method.
A Word From Verywell
Further research is needed to determine if these devices have any beneficial role in routine CPAP cleaning. However, the risk of infection is so tiny, and the evidence for the benefit is so weak that these devices are not currently recommended. Instead, soap and water do the trick.
Disclosure: Product samples were provided by CPAP.com for review purposes.
