ARTICLE: A COSTLY CLEAN: HIDDEN DRAWBACKS OF TODAY’S CPAP CLEANING DEVICES

(Published September 2, 2019)

For millions of us, a fully functioning CPAP machine is the foundation for a restful night’s sleep. According to the American Sleep Apnea Association (ASAA), “Proper and routine [CPAP] care will help you prolong the life of your mask, machine and accessories” (2019).

The ASAA recommends cleaning of soft mask parts and water chamber every morning, and a weekly cleaning of the tubing, foam filters, and the rest of your mask. Their recommended 10-minute soak in soap and water is then followed by either a clear water rinse or vinegar solution to remove that pesky soapy-residue. If you feel this extra effort encroaches on your morning coffee, you’re not alone. 

In order to reclaim their place in the Starbucks line, many CPAP users have turned to automated CPAP cleaning devices to do their “dirty work” and keep their CPAP machines free of harmful pathogens. Of course, all this convenience comes at a cost. The true price isn’t always what’s on the sticker―but that’s a good place to start.

If you want something that’ll clean your entire machine, the appropriate CPAP cleaning devices average $250-$350―and you’re on the hook for the entire expense because, “CPAPCleaners are not covered by health insurance providers… [including] Medicare” (CPAPcleaner.org, 2019). 

If that seems like a hefty price tag for hitting the snooze button, here’s another unwelcome wake-up call: use of the leading ozone-based cleaning devices―even just once―could void your (far more expensive) CPAP machine’s warranty. As CPAPcleaner.org states:

A lot of experts feel that CPAP devices and masks are at risk with ozone cleaners. There are some reports of damaged silicone seals and gaskets due to the ozone. It’s also known for the chemical to corrode the electronics of CPAP devices.

In some states, there are strict standards for using ozone in households. That’s why a lot of CPAP cleaner manufacturers stopped making ozone-based cleaners. They want to avoid hidden risks with either the state or the federal regulatory boards.

Non-stratospheric ozone gas used to clean your CPAP machine (O₃) ―coyly referred to as “activated oxygen” by industry advertisers ―is nothing like the tropospheric air we breathe (O₂). The extra oxygen atom in ozone makes the molecule very unstable and harmful to breathe (see: toxic). 

In fact, if you fail to follow manufacturer instructions to properly seal, wait, and then dissipate the O₃ in your cleaning device, you’ll be risking much more than a germy CPAP. The American Lung Association (ALA) warns that inhaling ozone gas at levels even slightly higher than the FDA approved amount can cause lung irritation and cardiovascular events, “Elevated ozone levels for one to two days increased the risk of heart attacks for middle-aged adults without heart disease” (lung.org). Although rushing such devices’ cleaning cycles may save you a few minutes a day, the ALA warns, “scientists are finding that long-term exposure—that is, for periods longer than eight hours, including days, months or years—may increase the risk of early death” (lung.org, 2019).

If using toxic elements to sanitize a breathing machine puts a bad taste in your mouth, you could turn to another newly developed (and equally expensive) CPAP cleaning device that utilizes ultraviolet light to kill germs hiding in your mask and humidifier chamber. However, if you want to clean your hose―and who doesn’t?―you’ll have to buy a costly companion product. What’s more, this long metal companion device isn’t compatible with hoses below a certain width, including some travel hoses and those containing harshly angled plastics at either end.

We all know our CPAP machine’s continued performance depends as much on safe handling and regular cleaning as it does on the warranty. If you’re looking for a better (and warranty-approved) way to disinfect your CPAP while saving time, money, and hidden costs to your health, try CleanSmart Disinfectant Spray for CPAP. CleanSmart is EPA approved to kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria in 60 seconds without harmful chemicals, harsh odors, or the need to rinse.