Seven Things You Shouldn't Do When You're Maintaining Your CPAP Machine
Posted on: 11 February 2020
CPAP maintenance is essential when it comes to staying healthy during CPAP therapy. If you don't maintain CPAP equipment properly, you put yourself at risk of problems like potentially severe infections such as pneumonia.
Unfortunately, patients often make CPAP maintenance mistakes that put their health at risk. The following are seven things you shouldn't do when you're maintaining your CPAP machine to make sure that you stay healthy.
Using tap water during cleanings
You should always clean CPAP equipment with either sterile or distilled water. If you use tap water, you could get certain chemicals and minerals into your CPAP equipment that cause damage.
Allowing water to get into your machine
You'll have to remove the chamber from the humidifier of your unit during cleanings. Make sure you do this carefully. It's possible to allow water into the CPAP machine when you're removing the chamber. This can cause damage, so do everything you can to keep water out of your machine.
Neglecting to replace your humidifier chamber
You should replace the humidifier chamber of your machine as often as recommended by the manufacturer. Depending on the exact model you're using, you should expect to need to change the humidifier chamber a couple of times per year.
Failing to inspect for wear and tear
As with any piece of machinery, CPAP equipment experiences wear and tear over time. Wear and tear could lead to issues like air leakage and dust buildup. Look out for the development of holes in your unit or residue buildup that can inhibit the flow of air through the unit.
Using bleach during cleanings
It's important that you don't use bleach when you do your cleanings. Bleach residue on a CPAP machine can compromise your health. Use cleaning solutions that kill bacteria and mold, but don't use bleach. Only use cleaners specially designed for CPAP maintenance.
Allowing equipment to dry in direct sunlight
If you allow your CPAP equipment to dry in the sun, it could become discolored. You'll keep your CPAP machine in better shape if you dry it in a place where sunlight cannot directly access it. Dry your machine in a clean, dry, and well-ventilated environment to avoid premature aging of your CPAP equipment.
Skipping daily cleanings
Regardless of how busy you are, you should never skip a cleaning. Cleaning your CPAP machine daily is vitally important and protects your health. Even neglecting one cleaning could allow mold or bacteria to proliferate in your machine and create problems for you.
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