The Best CPAP Cleaning Machines

When it comes to safeguarding your CPAP therapy for maximum comfort and health benefits, incorporating top-tier CPAP cleaning machines into your routine is indispensable. 

By upholding a meticulous cleaning regimen, you not only optimize the longevity of your equipment but also elevate the overall quality of your sleep apnea management, ensuring a restful and rejuvenating slumber. CPAP machines help deliver a continuous stream of pressurized air to the patient’s airway, thereby assisting them in breathing normally.

Considering that CPAP devices are the medium through which the pressurized air reaches your mouth and nostrils, cleaning your mask and tubing system is required to prevent respiratory infections and allergies.

But do you know how to disinfect your mask effectively? Using a CPAP cleaning machine is the easiest solution. Let’s review and mention which are the best CPAP cleaners to help you decide if you need them.

We’ll also share easy guides on how to clean CPAP equipment with simple cleaning routines to properly maintain your investment and protect your health.

Is it necessary to clean your CPAP mask regularly? Considering your mask is the medium through which the pressurized air reaches your mouth and nostrils, unless you keep it clean, not only will the lifespan of the mask decrease considerably, but you will also be at a higher risk of contracting infections.

Inadequate maintenance can lead to unwelcome growth of pathogens and bacteria, especially with CPAP humidifiers. One of the most effective and hassle-free solutions for CPAP users is getting a CPAP cleaning device. Let’s explore the best models of the year.

The 3B Medical Lumin Machine Cleaner is one the fastest cleaners in the market. It utilizes a specialized ultraviolet light (UV light), similar to those found in hospital operating rooms and sterile clean rooms. UV light destroys 99% of the microorganisms, taking only five minutes to sanitize all your CPAP supplies.

With just a push of a button, you can have your entire unit and accessories clean and ready to use in no time. Simply place the items in the Lumin tray (no need for disassembly!), close the tray, and press the power button. In five minutes, the Lumin will emit a beep to indicate the cycle is complete, and the green light will indicate completion of the cleaning cycle.

This UV sanitizer is compatible with all CPAP/BiPAP Lumin Masks and all CPAP and BiPAP masks and accessories brands (including ResMed, AirSense and many more), so you can feel free to select the brand that best fits your needs.

The Lumin CPAP cleaner can sterilize most CPAP hoses. Longer hoses (over 6 feet long) and most heated hoses can be sanitized using the 3B Medical Lumin Bullet CPAP Tubing Cleaner, explicitly designed for tubes of all shapes and sizes.

Specifications:

• Brand: 3B Medical
• Weight: 5.5lbs
• Size: 12.25 x 8.5 x 7.75 in
• Warranty: 2 Years.
• Voltage: AC 110 V 60Hz, AC 220 V 50Hz
• Power Rating: 13W
• Operating Temperature: 0˚ to 120˚ F / -18˚ to 49˚ C
• Humidity: Up to 93%, non-condensing

The Nuwave CPAP Cleaner Travel is by far the best CPAP cleaner for those who use CPAP travel machines. This model is small and portable, making it great for travel as it fits comfortably in a carry-on bag and ensures hygiene on the go. It also uses ozone to destroy most pathogens and cleans your water chamber and mask separately.

Specifications:

• Brand: Nuwave
• Weight: 0.45lb
• Size: 4.88 x 2.38 x 2.00 in
• Warranty: 2 Years.
• Ventilation time: 120 minutes
• Cleaning cycle length: 35 minutes.

The Liviliti Health Products Paptizer Smart CPAP Sanitizer is an ozone and mercury-free machine. It is an easy and rapid way of cleaning your CPAP equipment without using chemicals or vapors. In as little as three minutes, 40 high-power medical-grade UV-C leds clean your CPAP mask, water chamber, and tubing.

It can help eliminate unpleasant odors by breaking down their molecular structure. The Paptizer can clean a wide range of objects besides CPAP masks,  including dentures, cell phones, keys, toothbrushes and other small personal items. Anything that fits can be cleaned!

This UV CPAP cleaner is definitely the best option for those who want a faster cleaning solution that won’t generate gas and can eliminate all bacteria.

Specifications:

• Brand: Liviliti Health Products
• Weight: 4.29 lbs
• Size: 11.89 in L x 10.59 in W x 6.06 in H
• Warranty: 2 years
• Lifespan: 10,000 hour long lasting Platinum LED Beads
• Included: 1 Liviliti Health Products Paptizer Smart CPAP Sanitizer, 1 Stainless Steel mounting rack, 1 Power adapter, 1 User Manual, SGS Test Reports
• UV-C Wavelength: 260-280 nm
• Voltage: 110 VAC (60Hz)
• Operating Temperature:32F- 104F

The Nuwave Plus CPAP Sanitizing Unit comes with an ozone generator and a large, yet storable sanitizing chamber which allows you to sanitize all your CPAP equipment at once. The Nuwave Plus is one of the most recommended sanitizing machines by those who like the Nuwave traditional CPAP cleaner.

Even if these are the most popular and comfortable models to acquire through Sleeplay, other models are also considered good options: the Sleep8, the Purify O3 Elite, and the PAPclean are some examples.

Specifications:

• Brand: Nuwave
• Size: 4.9"L x 2.4" W x 2" H
• Weight: 45lbs
• Warranty: 2 years
• Electrical: Rechargeable Lithium Ion Battery
• Cleaning Agent: Activated Oxygen (Ozone), no liquids
• Cycle Time: 35 minutes

CPAP machines are amazing tools that help sleep apnea patients get a good night’s rest. Therefore, they need to be cleaned to ensure the best results and prevent the growth of pathogens.

Even just two weeks of using an unwashed CPAP hose can lead to skin and eye irritation, sinus infections, allergies, and smelly situations.

But do you really need a CPAP cleaner machine?

The answer is: it all depends on the person. The truth is that washing CPAP supplies with warm, soapy water is generally enough to prevent the buildup of germs. However, consistency is key, and for many, CPAP cleaning devices are a simple yet effective solution to stick to a reliable maintenance routine.

There are many cleaning products that can be used manually, just like Johnson's Baby Shampoo, the Purdoux CPAP Mask & Hose Soap and the Care Touch CPAP Mild Soap Cleaner.

However, most people in CPAP therapy forget or get bored with the manual cleaning process, especially considering the fact that it should be done daily. That's why CPAP cleaning machines were created, to help users keep a regular cleaning habit without needing to use mild soaps or warm water.

Some of the reasons why you should get a CPAP cleaner:

• Keeps you healthy: Preventing the build-up of pathogens and germs that may lead to or increase conditions such as asthma, allergies, frequent colds, or other respiratory illnesses.
• Protects your skin from bacteria and oils on a dirty mask that may cause a rash or infection.
• Operates more effectively and extends the lifespan of the equipment: By maintaining a good seal and preventing leaks, you will be protecting your machine from oils and dirt, and therefore enhancing its lifespan.
• It prevents foul odors: Bacteria and mold can generate awful smells.
• Promotes treatment compliance: If your device doesn't look or smell sanitary, there's a lesser chance that you will use it, thus compromising your sleep apnea treatment.

Yes, they do. Whether they keep your CPAP machine clean through UV light or activated oxygen (ozone), each one of these models guarantee a high efficiency. Keep in mind that these are the same mechanisms used in hospitals to sterilize instruments.

The FDA is currently working to test the exact effectiveness of these devices; however, independent laboratory tests have shown that machines using ozone or Ultraviolet (UV) light  can eliminate 99.99% of potentially harmful germs and microorganisms.

If you’re still unsure about buying a CPAP cleaner, some important factors to consider are:

• Schedule: If you have enough time and patience, you don't need to get a cleaner machine. Using the right soaps and wipes can be just as effective.
• Budget: The most sophisticated CPAP cleaner models range between $200-$300. You can consider getting a simpler version that can also achieve all the cleaning functions but in a longer amount of time.
• Needs: Some people don’t tolerate ozone, and some people are not happy with a cleaner that takes more than a few minutes to complete a cleaning cycle. It’s important to evaluate what you are looking for.

If you still have questions about how to use and what are the advantages and disadvantages of the UV and ozone models we offer at Sleeplay, let’s unpack this even further.

Considering that ozone CPAP cleaners are one of the most commonly used models, it is important to identify if it is right for you. If you opt for this type of CPAP cleaner, consider the following:

• Follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
• Wait at least two hours before using your just-sanitized CPAP equipment to avoid asthma and COPD reactivation.
• Leave the room while the machine is  cleaning using ozone gas.
• Run your CPAP for 10 minutes after the cleaning cycle before using it to lessen the ozone smell and help flush the unit.

• Saves time
• Excellent disinfectant
• Hassle-free and easy to use
• Highly effective
• Comes with warranty
• Provides disinfection for both CPAP machines and accessories, including CPAP hose, water chamber, and CPAP mask.

• Irritation in the mucous membranes
• Low chances of pulmonary damage
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Throat irritation.

• Considering that UV light CPAP cleaners are one of the most commonly used models, it is important to identify if it is right for you. If you opt for this type of CPAP cleaner, consider the following: Follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
• Can be used to sanitize other household items, like toothbrushes, dentures, jewelry, etc.
• Doesn’t require replacement parts, like filters or adapters.
• No wait time after the cleaning cycle.

• Highly effective against all types of microorganisms.
• Faster results
• Safer than any other available cleaner machine.

• UV light can only clean what it can touch, and it cannot get inside your CPAP supplies. It requires an additional device to clean your CPAP tubing.
• Not ideal to remove dust.
• Only cleans what fits inside the chamber.

If, on the other hand, you’re leaning towards cleaning your CPAP equipment manually, here are a few tips to make it easier:

• Make sure that the CPAP machine is unplugged before starting the cleaning process.
• Never use harsh detergents or cleaning products with strong scents to clean your CPAP components.
• Avoid using alcohol or bleach for cleaning.
• If you don't have any mild soap to clean the mask, you can also use white vinegar.
• Avoid placing your mask in the washing machine or dishwasher—it can cause damage to the components.
• Mask-cleaning wipes are ideal for a quick cleaning.
• Air-dry all the components before reassembling and connecting them to the CPAP machine.

In summary, CPAP cleaners currently in the market use various technologies to make sanitizing and regular cleaning of your equipment simple, fast, and efficient. These cleaning devices may use ozone and UV light for the disinfection process. Some people prefer ozone even if it can generate side effects (which are uncommon) while others enjoy the UV models.

Even if a cleaning machine is not indispensable,  good hygiene habits are always required to avoid problems with the treatment. Therefore, you have two options: hand-wash and air-dry the equipment everyday, or use a cleaning machine to simplify the process.

These machines have been tested and are practically 100% effective to kill microorganisms, as well as completely safe for CPAP users (with the potential exceptions we’ve mentioned above).

If you’re unsure about which one to buy, the Sleeplay team is available to answer your questions and help you make the right choice for your specific needs.