How does a humidifier affect my CPAP?
If you’ve ever spent time under the direct blast of a fan, you know how quickly it will make your skin feel dry and your lips chapped. By using a humidifier, your CPAP experience can be more comfortable, and easier to stick to. Compliance with your CPAP routine is paramount to keeping yourself well rested, and a humidifier supports that by adding moisture, which can let you avoid:
- Dry mouth during the night
- Chapped lips and mask marks in the morning
- Exhaustion from dehydration throughout the day
Most CPAPs come equipped with a built in humidifier nowadays, but it can be difficult to know how best to care for it and use it. One of the biggest reasons why people don’t clean their CPAP equipment everyday is time spent on the humidifier. But consider this — regularly cleaning your supplies is just as important as maintaining your own personal hygiene. Would you skip brushing your teeth or taking a shower for a week? Probably not. And you wouldn’t brush your teeth with soda – so don’t use the wrong water for your humidifier either.
Ideally, you should be refilling your humidifier each night with distilled water, and cleaning it each morning. That can sound like a lot, but leaving water in the tank each day can lead to buildup in the humidifier that will shorten the life span of your CPAP. It can also lead to germ buildup, and CPAP related illnesses. The same goes for the water – if it’s not distilled, you can wear down your other supplies quicker, and possibly irritate your mouth and throat.
Here are the best ways to keep your CPAP humidifier working right:
1. Use a CPAP cleaner to sanitize your supplies everyday.
Using a CPAP cleaner makes cleaning your CPAP supplies easier, faster, and more efficient without the hassle. No more messy cleaning with soap and water, or harsh chemicals. You don’t even have to worry whether you’ve washed your supplies thoroughly enough to avoid bacteria or mold growth. The Lumin makes cleaning easy with:
- Simple and Quick: Lumin kills 99% of bacteria in a one-touch 5 minute cycle
- UV Technology: specialized UV-C light source targets harmful bacteria, viruses, mold, and fungus
- Complete compatibility: No adapter needed
- Simple and Quick: Lumin kills 99% of bacteria in a one-touch 5 minute cycle
- UV Technology: specialized UV-C light source is targeted to kill harmful bacteria, viruses, mold, and fungus
- Complete compatibility: Lumin fits all major mask types and humidifier chambers
Save $70 when you buy the Lumin today! Just add to cart below with code LUMIN70 applied automatically.
2. Regularly replace your old supplies to avoid buildup and wearing down.
Wear and tear from using your CPAP daily is completely normal. however, you’ll want to make sure to replace your supplies on a regular basis to avoid using deteriorating equipment. Small cracks can form in your mask seal; tubing, and humidifier chamber, where bacteria and germs can hide. You should also replace the filters regularly to ensure any air that enters your machine is always clean and filtered.
Using dirty CPAP supplies also makes your sleep therapy less effective. Because this happens slowly over time, most folks end up not noticing it. You can avoid this by replacing your supplies with fresh ones regularly.
Your CPAP supplies could be yours for $0! Allow us to check with your insurance provider for you to find out what is covered (for free!). Click below to get started:
Are your supplies due for a replacement? Check out our standard insurance replacement schedule below:
3. Replace your CPAP when it’s worn down or if it doesn’t have a humidifier.
If your CPAP is several years old and you haven’t been cleaning it daily, it’s probably time to upgrade to a new one to keep your health in check. After all, you’re breathing in the air that circulates through your machine. Newer CPAP machines are now auto-titrating, meaning they adjust to give the most effective pressure all through the night. The premiere choice is ResMed’s AirSense 11, which offers:
- Humidification: 7 levels of humidity
- EPR: Expiratory Pressure Relief reduces pressure upon exhale, avoiding high pressure mask leaks
- AutoRamp: Starts your sleep therapy at a low pressure so you fall asleep more comfortably
- Humidification: 7 levels of humidity and an optional heated tube ensures you don’t dry out
- EPR: Expiratory Pressure Relief reduces pressure upon exhale, avoiding high pressure mask leaks
- AutoRamp: Starts your sleep therapy at a low pressure so you fall asleep more comfortably
Upgrade to the AirSense 11 today for just $399 down and 0% APR! Just add to cart below.
4. If you decide to clean by hand, use proper cleaning supplies.
Cleaning your CPAP by hand can be time-consuming, but is well worth the effort. Maintain your CPAP and health with these effective supplies, made especially for CPAP users:
- Mask wipes: Designed for daily cleaning of your mask and made without harmful chemicals
- Tube brush: The bristles gently clean your CPAP tubing to reduce the chance of growing bacteria
- CPAP cleanser: All-natural, hypoallergenic formula is gentle on your equipment so that it lasts longer without sacrificing the thoroughness of your cleaning regimen
- Mask wipes: Designed for daily cleaning of your mask and made without harmful chemicals
- Tube brush: The bristles gently clean your CPAP tubing and greatly reduce the chance of growing mold or bacteria
- CPAP cleanser: All-natural, hypoallergenic formula is gentle on your equipment so that it lasts longer without sacrificing the thoroughness of your cleaning regimen
Get all of these essential cleaning supplies in our Handwash Bundle!
Don’t miss out on your insurance coverage! Insurance doesn’t cover cleaning supplies, but it does cover most other CPAP supplies. Find out what CPAP supplies are covered today:
