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A nebulizer that isn't cleaned, dried, and disinfected can become contaminated. PARI's instructions for its reusable nebulizers warn that skipping these steps raises the risk of bacterial growth, infection, and illness. The routine is simple once it's a habit: a few minutes of washing and drying after each treatment, plus regular disinfection on the schedule your nebulizer's instructions give.
How to clean a nebulizer: After every treatment, take the nebulizer apart and wash the medication cup, top piece, and mouthpiece or mask in warm water with liquid dish soap. Rinse with warm water and air dry on a clean, lint-free cloth. Never wash or submerge the tubing. Then disinfect on the schedule in your nebulizer's instructions: for the PARI LC Sprint and LC Plus, that means a 1-hour soak in 1 part distilled white vinegar and 3 parts hot tap water, or boiling for 5 minutes. PARI parts can also go in a basket on the dishwasher's top rack.
Key Takeaways
- Wash the medication cup, top piece, and mouthpiece or mask with warm water and liquid dish soap after every treatment, then air dry.
- Disinfect regularly, as your nebulizer's instructions direct. PARI calls for disinfection every other treatment day for its reusable nebulizers.
- Never wash or submerge the tubing. Dry condensation by running the compressor with only the tubing attached for 2 to 3 minutes, or hang it ends down.
- PARI LC Sprint and LC Plus parts can go in a dishwasher basket on the top rack. Never the tubing. Check your own model's manual.
- PARI's instructions use warm tap water for rinsing. People with cystic fibrosis should follow the CF Foundation: a sterile water final rinse after cold disinfection.
- Replace reusable PARI nebulizers every 6 months.
- Alcohol (70% for 5 minutes) is a CF Foundation method for people with cystic fibrosis. PARI's instructions do not list it.
Which Parts of Your Nebulizer Actually Need Cleaning?
A standard compressor nebulizer setup has the parts below, and they are not all cleaned the same way.
| Part | After Each Use | Disinfection | Replacement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medication cup (nebulizer cup) | ✓ Wash with dish soap, rinse, air dry | ✓ Per your manual (PARI: every other treatment day) | Every 6 months (PARI reusable) | Holds the liquid medication |
| Mask or mouthpiece | ✓ Wash with dish soap, rinse, air dry | Check the mask's instructions (PARI excludes the mask from its vinegar soak and boiling) | Per manufacturer | Direct contact with face and mouth |
| T-connector / valve | ✓ Wash with dish soap, rinse, air dry | ✓ With the cup, per your manual | With the cup | Disassemble fully before washing |
| Tubing | ✗ Do not wash; dry any condensation | ✗ Not disinfected (PARI excludes tubing) | Per manufacturer | Run compressor with only the tubing attached for 2 to 3 minutes, or hang ends down; wipe the outside with a damp cloth |
| Compressor (air pump) | ✗ Not washed | Wipe exterior with a soapy cloth or disinfectant wipe (ALA, weekly) | Air filter: most every 6 months, or per manufacturer (ALA) | Never submerge in water |
The tubing is the one part you never wash. PARI's instructions say not to wash it, and the American Lung Association says the tubing should never be placed under water. PARI notes that condensation in the tubing during a treatment is normal: run the compressor with only the tubing attached for 2 to 3 minutes so the warm air dries it, or hang the tubing with the ends down so the moisture drains out, then wipe the outside with a clean, damp cloth.
How to Clean Your Nebulizer After Each Treatment
- Turn off and unplug the compressor. Disconnect the tubing from the nebulizer cup before touching anything else.
- Disassemble the medication cup, mask, and T-connector. Pull each piece apart so water reaches every surface. Leave the tubing attached to the compressor side.
- Wash in warm water with liquid dish soap, then rinse thoroughly with warm water. PARI's instructions use warm tap water for this step. If you have cystic fibrosis, follow the CF Foundation guidance on water in the disinfection section below.
- Shake off excess water. Give each piece a few firm shakes, then air dry or hand dry the parts on a clean, lint-free cloth.
- If there is condensation in the tubing, dry it. Let the compressor run with only the tubing attached for 2 to 3 minutes, or hang the tubing with the ends down so the moisture drains out and evaporates.
- Air dry completely before storing. Reassemble and store the nebulizer only when every part is dry. The CF Foundation guideline notes that equipment that stays wet provides favorable conditions for bacterial growth.
James Curles, Sleep Coach at Sleeplay, makes the point in his Sleeplay video on cleaning CPAP equipment, and it applies to a nebulizer too: "Routine work makes it clean work. If you're not doing it routinely, you're going to forget constantly."[1]
Soap and Water Washing: The Right Technique
PARI and the American Lung Association both call for washing the parts after each use. If you treat several times a day, repeat this wash after every treatment, not just at the end of the day.
- Wash the medication cup, mask, and connector in warm soapy water. PARI's instructions call for warm water and liquid dish soap. Clean gently with your fingers, paying attention to seams and corners.
- Rinse thoroughly with warm water until no soap remains, then shake out the water.
- Air dry or hand dry on a clean, lint-free cloth. Reassemble the nebulizer only when the parts are dry.
Can the parts go in the dishwasher? It depends on your nebulizer. PARI's instructions for the LC Sprint and LC Plus allow washing the reusable nebulizer parts on the top shelf of a dishwasher: place them in a dishwasher basket on the top rack, then remove and dry them when the cycle ends. Never put the tubing in the dishwasher.[2] The American Lung Association video also shows the parts going on the top shelf of the dishwasher as an alternative to warm soapy water. If your model's manual says hand wash only, follow your manual.
If time is the issue, a small dedicated basin on the countertop makes the process faster: fill, wash, rinse, and set the parts on a clean, lint-free cloth.
Disinfecting Nebulizer Parts: How Often and Which Method
Washing alone is not enough: PARI's instructions warn that you must also regularly disinfect the nebulizer. How often depends on the device. PARI calls for low-level disinfection every other treatment day for its reusable nebulizers, while the American Lung Association video describes a weekly soak or the schedule your device manufacturer recommends. Follow your nebulizer's instructions.
White Vinegar Method
- Wash the parts with dish soap and water first.
- Mix 1 part distilled white vinegar with 3 parts hot tap water.
- Soak the nebulizer parts for 1 hour. PARI excludes the tubing and the mask from this soak.
- Rinse all parts thoroughly with warm tap water, dry them on a clean, lint-free cloth, and discard the vinegar solution.
That is PARI's low-level disinfection for the LC Sprint and LC Plus, done every other treatment day. PARI also allows boiling the parts (except the tubing and mask) in a clean pot of water for a full 5 minutes. The American Lung Association describes a weekly 30-minute soak in white vinegar and water "or as recommended by your device manufacturer," so your nebulizer's instructions decide the ratio and soak time.[3]
If you have cystic fibrosis: the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation recommends that nebulizers used at home not be disinfected with vinegar, bleach, or benzalkonium chloride (such as Control III). After cleaning with dish soap and water, its guideline lists heat methods (boiling for 5 minutes, microwaving submerged in water for 5 minutes, a dishwasher at 158°F (70°C) or higher for 30 minutes, or an electric steam sterilizer) or the cold methods below, then air drying before storage.[4] PARI's instructions also note that for patients with CF, the CF Foundation recommends boiling for a full 5 minutes.
Hydrogen Peroxide Method
- Wash the parts with dish soap and water first.
- Soak them in 3% hydrogen peroxide for 30 minutes.
- Do the final rinse with sterile water, not tap water, and air dry before storage.
This is one of the cold disinfection methods in the CF Foundation guideline for people with cystic fibrosis.[4] PARI's instructions for the LC Sprint and LC Plus do not list hydrogen peroxide; they list vinegar (or a respiratory equipment disinfectant like Control III) and boiling. Use one disinfection method at a time and follow your nebulizer's instructions.
Can You Clean a Nebulizer with Alcohol?
PARI's instructions for the LC Sprint and LC Plus do not list isopropyl alcohol. The 5-minute rule comes from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's infection prevention guideline for people with CF: after washing with dish soap and water, soak the parts in 70% isopropyl alcohol for 5 minutes, do the final rinse with sterile water (not tap water), and air dry before storage.[4]
If your nebulizer's manual does not list alcohol, use a disinfection method that it does list.
Can You Clean Nebulizer Tubing?
Don't wash it. PARI's instructions say not to wash the tubing, and the American Lung Association says the tubing and compressor should never be submerged in water. Tubing care comes down to two steps: dry any condensation (run the compressor with only the tubing attached for 2 to 3 minutes, or hang the tubing with the ends down) and wipe the outside with a clean, damp cloth. The ALA video also mentions a soapy cloth or a disinfectant wipe for the outside of the tubing.
If moisture won't dry out, or the tubing looks discolored or damaged, replace it rather than trying to wash it.
PARI's instructions for the LC Sprint and LC Plus do not give a separate replacement schedule for the tubing, so follow the instructions for your system.[5]
For the reusable cups themselves, like the PARI LC Sprint Reusable Nebulizer Cup or the PARI LC Plus Reusable Cup, PARI recommends replacement every 6 months for the most effective treatments, and lists consistent medication delivery to the lungs among the advantages of replacing the cup. PARI also warns never to use a nebulizer with a clogged nozzle; if that happens, replace it with the same model.
Nebulizer Cleaning Schedule at a Glance
| Task | Frequency | Method | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wash cup, top piece, mouthpiece or mask | After every treatment | Warm water and liquid dish soap, rinse, air dry on a lint-free cloth (or dishwasher top rack if your manual allows) | A few minutes |
| Dry the tubing | After a treatment, if condensation appears | Run compressor with only the tubing attached, or hang ends down | 2 to 3 min |
| Disinfect nebulizer parts (not tubing) | Per your manual (PARI: every other treatment day; ALA video: weekly) | PARI: 1 part distilled white vinegar + 3 parts hot tap water, or boil 5 min. With CF: CF Foundation methods, no vinegar | 5 min to 1 hour |
| Wipe compressor and tubing exterior | Weekly | Soapy cloth or disinfectant wipe; never submerge | ~1 min |
| Replace compressor air filter | Most every 6 months, or per manufacturer | Replace | Not applicable |
| Replace reusable nebulizer cup | Every 6 months (PARI) | Replace, do not repair | Not applicable |
| Replace tubing | Per your manufacturer, or if discolored or damaged | Replace, do not wash | Not applicable |
Nebulizer Equipment Worth Maintaining
The PulmoNeb LT Compressor Nebulizer ($34.95) is a home-use system that comes with VixOne nebulizer cups. Follow the cleaning steps in its instructions, since cleaning and disinfection directions vary by nebulizer. For patients who need a portable option for travel or mobile use, the PARI Trek S Portable Nebulizer ($68.00) runs on AC or DC power: PARI lists an AC adapter and a 12V DC adapter for it.[6] Follow the cleaning steps in its instructions.
When it's time to replace your nebulizer cups, Sleeplay carries the PARI LC Sprint Reusable Cup with Wingtip Tubing ($16.95) and the PARI LC Plus Reusable Cup ($14.95). Browse the full compressor nebulizer kit collection or go directly to replacement nebulizer parts.
If the nebulizer is for a child, Sleeplay's nebulizers for kids collection has pediatric-friendly options in animal designs. Follow the cleaning steps in each device's instructions. See also: how to use a nebulizer for kids and the nebulizers for kids buying guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning a Nebulizer
How often should you clean a nebulizer?
Wash the medication cup, top piece, and mouthpiece or mask with warm water and liquid dish soap after every treatment, rinse with warm water, and air dry. Then disinfect on the schedule in your nebulizer's instructions: PARI calls for disinfection every other treatment day for its reusable nebulizers, and the American Lung Association video describes a weekly vinegar soak or the schedule your manufacturer recommends. Wipe the outside of the compressor and tubing with a damp or soapy cloth.
Can you clean a nebulizer with alcohol?
Only if your nebulizer's instructions allow it. PARI's instructions for the LC Sprint and LC Plus do not list alcohol. For people with cystic fibrosis, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation guideline lists soaking cleaned parts in 70% isopropyl alcohol for 5 minutes, followed by a final rinse with sterile water (not tap water) and air drying before storage.
Can you put nebulizer parts in the dishwasher?
It depends on the nebulizer. PARI's instructions allow LC Sprint and LC Plus parts on the top shelf of a dishwasher, placed in a dishwasher basket on the top rack. Never put the tubing in the dishwasher. If your device's manual says hand wash only, follow it. For people with cystic fibrosis, the CF Foundation lists a dishwasher at 158°F (70°C) or higher for 30 minutes as one heat disinfection method.
How do you clean nebulizer tubing?
Don't wash it. PARI says not to wash the tubing, and the American Lung Association says it should never be placed under water. If condensation forms, run the compressor with only the tubing attached for 2 to 3 minutes, or hang the tubing with the ends down to drain, and wipe the outside with a clean, damp cloth. Replace the tubing as your device's instructions direct, or if it looks discolored or damaged.
Can you use tap water to rinse nebulizer parts?
Yes for most users of PARI reusable nebulizers: PARI's instructions use warm tap water to wash and rinse the parts, including the rinse after the vinegar soak. The exception is cystic fibrosis. The CF Foundation says tap and distilled water may carry CF pathogens, so after a cold disinfection method (alcohol or hydrogen peroxide) the final rinse must be sterile water or water filtered to 0.2 microns or less.
What is the best way to disinfect a nebulizer?
Use the method in your nebulizer's instructions. For PARI LC Sprint and LC Plus parts (not the tubing or mask), PARI lists a 1-hour soak in 1 part distilled white vinegar and 3 parts hot tap water, then a warm tap water rinse, or boiling for a full 5 minutes. People with cystic fibrosis should not use vinegar: the CF Foundation lists heat methods such as boiling for 5 minutes, or cold methods (70% isopropyl alcohol for 5 minutes or 3% hydrogen peroxide for 30 minutes) followed by a sterile water rinse.
When should you replace your nebulizer cup?
PARI recommends replacing its reusable nebulizers, like the LC Sprint and LC Plus, every 6 months for the most effective treatments. PARI also warns never to use a nebulizer with a clogged nozzle; if that happens, replace it with the same model. For other brands, follow the manufacturer's replacement schedule.
Keep the Routine, Keep the Equipment Working
A clean, dry nebulizer is part of getting a good treatment. When the routine is solid, the wash after each use takes a few minutes and the disinfection soak mostly runs itself while you do something else. If you're building the habit from scratch, start with the wash and dry after every treatment, then add disinfection on the schedule in your nebulizer's instructions.
For replacement cups, complete nebulizer systems, and portable options, explore Sleeplay's compressor nebulizer collection.
References
[1] Curles, James. "How to Clean CPAP Machine, CPAP Mask & Tubing." Sleeplay YouTube Channel, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Efg-TOVfzWI
[2] PARI Respiratory Equipment. "LC Sprint Family of Nebulizers: Instructions for Use." 023D0221 Rev B 04/18. PARI.com. https://www.pari.com/fileadmin/user_upload/PARI.com-US/Documents/Reusable-Nebs/LC-Sprint/023D0221-Rev-B-04-18-Sprint-IFU-EN-ES.pdf
[3] American Lung Association. "How to Clean a Nebulizer." Lung.org, updated March 27, 2023. https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/resource-library/how-to-clean-a-nebulizer (video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TevhZlJzfiM)
[4] Saiman L, et al. "Infection Prevention and Control Guideline for Cystic Fibrosis: 2013 Update." Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, 2014;35(Suppl 1):S1-S67. PMID 25025126. https://doi.org/10.1086/676882
[5] PARI Respiratory Equipment. "LC Plus and LC Star Reusable Nebulizers: Instructions for Use." 022D0205 Rev B 04/18. PARI.com. https://www.pari.com/fileadmin/user_upload/PARI.com-US/Documents/Reusable-Nebs/LC-PLUS/022D0205-Rev-B-04-18-PLUS-STAR-IFU-EN-ES.pdf
[6] PARI Respiratory Equipment. Trek S product page. PARI.com. https://www.pari.com/us/products/trek-s-portable-aerosol-system/
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