CPAP machines are incredibly useful machines that are used by sleep apnea patients all around the globe. These machines allow sleep apnea patients to breathe when they’re sleeping. The machine uses air pressure in order to do this. If you’d like to know more about CPAP, this blog post will be very useful to you.
Now, all CPAP therapy machines need to get the airway pressure to your respiratory system or your lungs in some way. To do this, these machines use a CPAP hose and a CPAP face mask. There are different types of masks available, all designed to help the patient be more comfortable.
However, as all of these machines need to be used on a regular basis, the masks are bound to get covered in quite a bit of dirt. Our faces produce oils that help our skin remain supple. Unfortunately, these oils will remain on your mask and they will build up over time. If your machine happens to have a humidifier attachment, the area that your CPAP machine uses is going to be humid. This means that the CPAP user's mask and CPAP hose will become breeding grounds for bacteria. Therefore, they need to be cleaned on a weekly basis.
The usual cleaning method that is used requires a bit of soap and warm water. However, this method can get quite messy and is fairly time-consuming. In order to get the best results, you’ll have to soak your mask for quite some time, which might not be possible if you’re busy. CPAP wipes are a non-traditional cleaning method that might be just what you need. These are not to be confused with CPAP cleaning devices like the SoClean2 which uses activated oxygen or the Lumin which uses UV or ultraviolet light. In this article, we’ll tell you all you need to know about CPAP cleaning wipes and we’ll also help you decide if these wipes are meant for you.
What are CPAP Wipes?
These wipes are small pieces of cloth that are usually made up of cotton. If you’ve ever used face wipes, the appearance of these wipes is quite similar to them. However, there are a few crucial differences. CPAP cleaning wipes usually contain a solution that is designed to clean bacteria, mold and pathogens. These wipes are sure to get rid of all the dirt that tends to get clogged up in your masks. Although there are various types of CPAP mask wipes that you can buy, most of them share some similarities like acting as a sanitizer/disinfecting agent. One of the main reasons people use these wipes is because they’re simple to use and are hassle-free and may also work as a disinfectant. However, there are still a few details that you’ll want to keep in mind.
How Do You Use Them?
Most people use CPAP wipes because they are looking for a quick and efficient cleaning method. The best part about these cleaning wipes is that there’s no extra work that you need to do. Simply pull a wipe from the container, remove the mask from the tube attachment, and wipe it as thoroughly as you can. Keep in mind that CPAP masks have a lot of gaps, so you’ll have to pay extra attention to those areas.
When you're cleaning your mask, make it a point to cover the entire mask in the cleaning solution. This job needs to be thorough, so take as much time as is required. CPAP mask wipes usually contain a solution that evaporates quickly, so you don’t need to worry about letting it dry for a long time. Just let it sit for a couple of minutes and you’re done.
CPAP Cleaning Wipes vs the Traditional Soap and Water Method
Most people are apprehensive about wipes and tend to stick to the usual soap method. But which method is the best in terms of sanitization? Although cleaning wipes will be able to get rid of a lot of the dirt on the mask and will sanitize it completely, if you’re trying to clean your mask thoroughly, you’ll have to use the traditional method. The reason for this is because when you’re using soap and warm water, you will typically let the mask soak for as long as you can. However, the CPAP mask wipes are far better when it comes to convenience.
Positives: A few Reasons why You’ll Want to use These Cleaning Wipes.
- They are very easy to use.
- You don’t have to wait for the soap to soak into the mask.
- These wipes are extremely travel-friendly.
- No harsh chemicals used
- No need to get dirty with soapy water
Negatives: Some Downsides That you may Encounter With CPAP Cleaning Wipes.
- CPAP wipes are not meant to replace the traditional cleaning method.
- They may not be able to clean your mask completely.
- Wipes are far more pricey than regular soap/bleach.
- Cannot use to clean headgear.
A few of the Top Brands That you can Choose From:
Popular CPAP Mask Wipes
Final Thoughts:
CPAP wipes are meant for convenience and they won’t completely replace your traditional cleaning methods. However, these wipes are extremely useful for people that tend to travel a lot. There are packs that come in a number of different sizes, so you can just choose a small one to carry with you when you go on a trip.
We suggest that you try out one of the smaller packs. Try one of the brands that we’ve listed above or ask a relative if they have any brand that they prefer. Two key tips to note when you’re searching for brands is to make sure the wipes are well saturated and that they can disinfect appliances properly. Once they’ve ticked both of these boxes, it’s up to personal preference.
In case you’re new to our website and you’re trying to get more information about sleep apnea, we’ve got you covered! Our blogs will give you information for a wide variety of topics that are based on this subject, so go check it out.
