CPAP Care & Maintenance
You're breathing through your CPAP equipment every single night — so keeping it clean isn't optional, it's essential. A well-maintained machine delivers consistent therapy and stays hygienic; a neglected one can harbour moisture, mould, and bacteria that undermine your health rather than support it. The good news is that cleaning your CPAP equipment is straightforward, and once it's part of your routine, it takes only a few minutes a day. This guide covers everything you need to know: what to clean, how often to clean it, and the products that make the job easy.
CPAP Cleaning Schedule at a Glance
Different parts of your equipment need attention at different intervals. Here's a simple reference to keep you on track:
How to Clean Each Component
Mask Cushion & Silicone Parts
Your mask cushion is in direct contact with your face every night, so skin oils and moisture build up quickly. After each use, give the silicone cushion a quick wipe with a CPAP mask wipe — they're gentle on silicone and won't leave any residue. Once a week, disassemble the mask fully (cushion, frame, and headgear are usually three separate pieces), then hand wash the silicone parts in warm water with a small amount of mild, unscented soap or a dedicated CPAP mask and tube cleaner. Rinse thoroughly, then lay flat on a clean towel to air dry away from direct sunlight. Never put silicone mask parts in the dishwasher or washing machine.
Mask Headgear
Headgear should be hand washed weekly along with the rest of the mask. Use the same mild soap solution, rinse well, and lay it flat on a towel to dry — don't wring it out or hang it, as this can stretch the elastic. Never iron headgear; the fabric is heat-sensitive. Once the elastic loses its tension and the mask starts needing to be overtightened for a good seal, it's time for a new headgear.
Humidifier Water Tub
Each morning, empty any remaining water from the humidifier tub and give it a rinse. Leaving water sitting in the tub all day creates the perfect environment for bacterial growth. For your weekly deep clean, hand wash the tub in warm, soapy water (mild dish soap is fine), rinse thoroughly, and air dry. If you notice mineral build-up — a chalky white residue common in areas with hard water — fill the tub with a solution of one part white vinegar to ten parts water, leave it to soak for 30 minutes, then rinse well. Always refill with fresh distilled water before each night's use.
Air Tubing / CPAP Hose
Once a week, disconnect the tubing from both the mask and the machine. Wash the inside by submerging it completely in warm, soapy water and swishing it around so water flows through the full length of the hose. Rinse thoroughly and hang the tubing to dry — lying it flat traps moisture inside. A CPAP tube drying hanger is a handy way to keep it suspended and draining properly without needing to loop it over a rail. Heated hoses (such as the ResMed ClimateLineAir) should be checked against their manufacturer instructions before any soaking, as the electrical components require extra care. Replace tubing if you notice any cracking, discolouration, or mould that won't wash out.
Machine Exterior & Filter
Never immerse your CPAP machine or power cord in water. To clean the exterior, simply wipe it down weekly with a damp cloth or a CPAP cleaning wipe to keep dust from working its way into the intake. Your machine's air filter is what stops dust and debris from being drawn into the motor — check it visually each week and replace it roughly every two to three months, or sooner if it looks grey or clogged. You can browse replacement CPAP filters by brand and machine model to find the right one for your setup.
What to Avoid When Cleaning CPAP Equipment
The wrong cleaning products can damage silicone parts, leave harmful residue, or shorten the life of your equipment. Avoid all of the following:
- Bleach, chlorine, or alcohol-based products — these degrade silicone quickly
- Antibacterial soaps — can cause micro-cracking in mask cushions
- Strongly scented soaps or essential oils — residue can irritate your airways when inhaled
- Dishwashers or washing machines — heat and agitation damage mask parts and headgear
- Ozone or UV sanitisers — not approved by the TGA for CPAP equipment, and ozone can cause internal machine damage; ResMed specifically excludes ozone-related damage from their warranty
- Direct sunlight — UV degrades silicone and rubber components over time
Stick with warm water, a mild unscented soap, or a purpose-made CPAP cleaning solution — they're effective without the risks.
When to Replace CPAP Parts
Even with diligent cleaning, CPAP parts wear out over time. Silicone cushions naturally degrade, headgear loses its elasticity, and tubing develops micro-cracks that can cause air leaks. Using worn parts doesn't just reduce comfort — it reduces the effectiveness of your therapy. Keep an eye out for these signs that it's time to replace:
- Your mask cushion feels stiff, tacky, or no longer soft
- You're getting more mask leaks or waking with a dry mouth (often a sign of air escaping)
- The headgear has stretched and you're overtightening to compensate
- The tubing has visible cracks or a persistent musty smell
- The humidifier tub is discoloured, cracked, or has deposits that won't clear
- Your machine filter is visibly dark or the machine is nosier than usual
As a general guide, most manufacturers recommend replacing mask cushions every one to three months, headgear every six months, tubing every three to six months, and humidifier chambers every six to twelve months. If you're unsure which replacement parts suit your machine or mask, our team can help — browse our full range of CPAP cleaning products and accessories to keep everything in top condition.
CPAP Cleaning Products We Recommend
You don't need much — just the right things. A few essentials make the whole routine quicker and more reliable:
- CPAP mask wipes — great for quick daily cleaning without rinsing. We stock the ResMed CPAP Mask Wipes and the Purdoux range including a handy travel pack — browse the full selection on our CPAP cleaning products page.
- CPAP mask and tube cleaner soap — a mild liquid soap formulated specifically for silicone and CPAP tubing, free of bleach, alcohol, and harsh fragrances. Purdoux make it in two variants: Citrus Scent and Green Tea & Mint.
- Tube cleaning brush — look for one designed specifically for CPAP tubing. We recommend the Purdoux 2-in-1 CPAP Tube Cleaning Brush, which has soft bristles safe for the full length of the hose. Wire-core brushes are best avoided as they can tear tubing as they wear.
- All-in-one cleaning kit — the most convenient option if you want to stock up in one go. We recommend the Purdoux Premium CPAP Cleaning Package, available in Aloe Vera or Citrus Scent — both include the soft-bristle tube brush along with mask wipes and cleaner soap.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should wipe down your mask cushion daily — either with a CPAP wipe or a gentle rinse in warm water. A full hand wash of the cushion, frame, and headgear should happen at least once a week. Regular cleaning removes skin oils and moisture that would otherwise break down the silicone and reduce your mask's seal over time.
A mild, fragrance-free dish soap is generally fine for cleaning the humidifier tub. For mask parts and tubing, it's better to use an unscented soap specifically formulated for CPAP equipment — standard dishwashing detergents can leave residue or cause micro-cracking in silicone over time. Never put any CPAP parts in the dishwasher, as the heat and detergent tablets will damage them.
No — never run vinegar or any solution through the CPAP machine itself. However, you can soak detachable parts such as the humidifier chamber or air tubing in a diluted white vinegar solution (one part vinegar to nine or ten parts water) to help remove mineral deposits or odours. Always rinse thoroughly with clean water afterwards before reassembling.
Ozone and UV cleaning devices are widely marketed, but they are not approved by the TGA for use with CPAP equipment and are not recommended by major manufacturers such as ResMed. Prolonged ozone exposure can cause internal damage to CPAP machines and potentially leave harmful residue in mask parts. Manufacturers including ResMed explicitly exclude ozone-related damage from their warranty. Warm water and a mild soap remains the safest and most effective cleaning method.
The clearest signs are a cushion that feels stiff or tacky rather than soft and pliable, increased mask leaks during the night, or waking with a dry mouth or sore eyes — all common symptoms of a poor seal. Most manufacturers recommend replacing silicone cushions every one to three months depending on use. If you're cleaning regularly and still struggling with leaks, the cushion is usually the first thing to check.
Distilled water is the recommended choice for CPAP humidifiers. Because the distillation process removes minerals, impurities, and contaminants, it won't leave the white chalky deposits that tap water causes in your humidifier chamber over time, and it reduces the risk of bacteria or mould growth. It's widely available at Coles, Woolworths, and most pharmacies across Australia at a low cost per litre. Demineralised water is a good alternative — most minerals are removed, and some high-purity demineralised water can be just as clean as distilled. Avoid tap water and still bottled or spring water, as both contain dissolved minerals that build up in the chamber and can shorten its lifespan.
Make CPAP Maintenance a Habit — It's Worth It
A clean CPAP setup means better therapy, fewer repairs, and equipment that lasts longer. Most of the routine takes just a couple of minutes in the morning, and the weekly wash adds only a few more. Think of it the same way you'd think about brushing your teeth — brief, habitual, and important.
If you need to stock up on cleaning supplies, browse our full range of CPAP cleaning products — including mask wipes, tube cleaning brushes, and purpose-made CPAP soaps — all available with fast Australian delivery.
