The Best CPAP Cleaner: A Complete Buyer’s Guide

This article has been medically reviewed by: Dr. Amita Fotedar, Ph.D., Dr. Kate Sołdaj, M.D. and Dr. Bartłomiej Orybkiewicz, M.D.

If you have sleep apnea, you likely already know the struggle of having to clean your CPAP device on a regular basis. CPAP cleaning can be a hassle, and it’s recommended that you clean most components at least once a week.

Thankfully, there’s an easier way than cleaning by hand with soap and water: using a CPAP cleaner! In this guide, we’ll help you find the best CPAP cleaner for your needs.

What is a CPAP Cleaner?

A CPAP cleaner is a device that you use on a daily basis to help sanitize and clean your CPAP therapy equipment. The technology varies depending on the unit you choose, but most of the best CPAP cleaners use activated oxygen to sanitize. By utilizing the same technology used in water purification systems, CPAP cleaners eliminate germs and bacteria from your mask, hose, and humidifier, all with very little effort required from you!

It’s important to note that most CPAP cleaners are primarily meant to sanitize and remove bacteria. They do not typically remove all the skin oils and perspiration that will collect on your mask components – so, even with the help of a CPAP cleaner, you’ll still need to manually wash your mask from time to time to remove oils. See our guide to the best CPAP cleaning practices for more information.

What is the Best CPAP Cleaner?

Since there are many on the market, we will now go over some of the best CPAP cleaner machines on the market. We made these selections based on a combination of specifications, user reviews, and our own experience with the machines. Here are our picks for the best CPAP sanitizers on the market.

Best CPAP Cleaner Overall: SoClean 3

The SoClean 3 is by far our top recommendation when it comes to CPAP cleaners. It’s a popular model that’s received a number of positive reviews for its effectiveness and simple-to-use design.

It uses activated oxygen technology to destroy germs and bacteria. All you need to do to use it is place your mask – while still connected to your hose and CPAP unit – into the chamber, and close the lid. That’s it!

The SoClean 3 will then complete its automated sanitation routine, which takes around 2 hours in total. It destroys 99.9% of germs and bacteria present on your CPAP equipment.

You can also bundle the cleaner with other SoClean accessories, including unscented wipes.

See More: Best Mattress for Sleep Apnea: Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

Best CPAP Cleaner for Sweat: SaniBot

The SaniBot takes a different approach than the SoClean by using sanitation tablets dissolved in water. The SaniBot is quite effective at cleaning CPAP mask components, but it’s not intended for use in cleaning the entire CPAP unit, like the SoClean is.

With that said, SaniBot WILL remove oils and sweat from mask components, while the SoClean will not. This makes SaniBot the best CPAP cleaner for masks themselves, and the SoClean perhaps the best overall cleaner.

SEE ALSO: Best Mattresses for Snoring: Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

Best Wipes for CPAP Machines: CareTouch CPAP Mask Wipes

These CareTouch CPAP wipes are no replacement for a full CPAP cleaner, but they can certainly help to keep your mask cleaner. These wipes remove dead skin cells, oils, sweat, and germs for a cleaner feel every night.

You can use them to wipe down your mask every day, a task that only takes a few seconds. We suggest making it part of your morning routine, along with other tasks like getting dressed and making the bed.

These pair well with the SoClean, because the SoClean will not actually remove skin oils or dirt from your mask. These wipes make it easy to regularly clean your mask without needing soap and water. They’re also great for those on the road, such as those using CPAP for camping.

SEE ALSO: How to Stop Snoring

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the safest way to clean your CPAP machine?

First, unplug your CPAP machine and disconnect the mask and tubing. If your machine has removable filters or a humidifier tub, you should disconnect these as well. Make sure all of these parts are fully disassembled,

Then in a sink or plastic tub, gently clean these parts with warm water and mild soap. Avoid using anything that may leave a residue as it can damage the CPAP machine or make you sick. Rinse with warm water and leave the parts to try on a towel that’s spread across a flat surface. Do not dry them in direct sunlight.

Can I use dish soap to clean my CPAP?

When it comes to what you can and can’t use to clean your CPAP machine, you want to avoid moisturizing soap, bleach, scented essential oils, or alcohol-based cleaners as they can irritate a sleeper and cause machine degradation.

Plain, mild dish soap is fine when it comes to cleaning off your mask and filters, though damage is still possible if you use a too-strong detergent. Baby shampoo is another potential cleaner as high-quality options are designed to be gentle and free of fragrances. However, for best results, we recommend using a proper CPAP cleaner.

How often should you clean your CPAP?

It’s recommended to clean your CPAP mask and machine at least once a week. Coincidentally, this is the recommended span for changing your sheets, so you can create a whole routine around stripping your bed and cleaning your CPAP machine.

Some may benefit from cleaning their CPAP machine more often, but a week is the bare minimum.

What are the symptoms of a dirty CPAP machine?

One symptom of a dirty CPAP machine is a stinky mask, as mold and mildew create unpleasant odors as they build up. Discoloration of the mask, tubing, and filters also signifies an unclean CPAP machine and will need to be washed or replaced.

You may also wake up with irritated facial skin, including acne, soreness and peeling skin. Lastly, if you find yourself developing sinus infections regularly, the culprit could be a poorly maintained CPAP machine.

Do I need to change the water in my CPAP daily?

If you have a CPAP machine with a humidifier, you will want to change the water every day. Reusing water can promote the growth of microorganisms that make you sick.

You will also want to use distilled water and not tap water, filtered water, or bottled water. Distilled water is free of minerals that can build up in the CPAP’s humidifier tub. Using water that hasn’t been properly distilled will require you to clean the CPAP humidifier more often to maintain its condition.