Benefits of regularly cleaning and replacing your CPAP mask

You know the feeling… you’ve got into a great routine with your CPAP therapy, and everything is going well. You’re getting quality, restful sleep and your days are all the better for it. However, using your CPAP machine every night means that you need to keep on top of a few ‘housekeeping’ tasks to ensure you continue to get the optimal results from your therapy. 

Keep it clean

First of all, regular and thorough cleaning is a must. This includes cleaning your mask, tubing and humidifier.  

Did you know that the bacteria that builds up on your CPAP mask can impact your health? “The mask sits on the face, in contact with organisms on the skin. Over time, bacteria and oils on a dirty mask may give you a rash or infection on the skin,” says Dr. Lawrence Epstein, a sleep expert at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital. 

Another risk can come from the bacteria and germs you may breathe in from a dirty water reservoir in the air pump. Dr Epstein notes: “Breathing in those organisms can make you sick or increase problems related to conditions such as asthma, reactive airway disease, or other lung conditions.” If you notice you are getting sick more often, or if your CPAP equipment has a mouldy odour, it could be a sign that the device is not clean. 

For guidance on how often you should be cleaning each part of your CPAP machine, check out this handy guide. 

Keep it fresh

Getting enough sleep can help prevent increases in appetite and calorie intake. A sleep-deprived person has an increased appetite and can consume an extra 385 calories daily.  You’ve probably noticed a marked improvement in your sleep since you started CPAP therapy, but if your mask parts are starting to show signs of wear and tear, you might not continue to get the optimum quality of sleep you deserve. So, if you want your CPAP success to be a permanent fixture, make sure you know when each part of your equipment should be replaced. Take for example your mask cushion: this should be replaced every two to four weeks. It’s the part which is in closest contact with your skin, which means that dirt and bacteria can build up fast. It’s best to keep on top of the replacement schedule, you can find out more in our article.  

In fact, the majority of CPAP users who regularly renew their equipment say that they sleep better and have a more positive outlook on life.¹ That’s a pretty clear sign to keep on top your mask maintenance! 

Better, faster, stronger

If you’ve been using your CPAP machine for even just a couple of weeks, you’ll already be very familiar with the incredible benefits of a good night’s sleep. Whether it’s an improved focus at work, an increased level of energy throughout the day, or a renewed vigour when it comes to your exercise routine, healthy sleep leads to a healthier life.  

And we all know that getting regular exercise is a key part of a healthy lifestyle. But did you know that people who frequently replace their CPAP supplies report that they are nearly twice as likely to exercise two or more days a week? ²  So, keeping up with your equipment resupply could well see you keeping up with all those gym junkies that used to leave you for dust! 

Simply the best

Whether you’re a CPAP beginner or a CPAP pro, no doubt you know that treating your sleep apnea can lead to some serious health and lifestyle benefits. But you may not be aware that users who regularly replace their equipment report having a significantly higher quality of life than those who wait a year or more for replacement parts. ²  

In fact, they’ve reported a long list of things that contribute to that quality of life, including: 

• Better relationships with their loved ones
• Greater satisfaction with their physical appearance 
• More energy throughout the day
• A happier work life 
• Feel pleased with "life as a whole"

There you have it: a lot of great reasons to make sure you keep on top of replacing your therapy equipment when it’s needed. With the different parts of your CPAP mask requiring replacement at different times, you could benefit from ResMed EZ. ResMed EZ is a subscription offer that’s designed to work with you, so you can have the sleep and lifestyle you deserve.