Do you suffer from a breathing-related or sleep apnea disease that creates an obstacle in your healthy breathing? Then using the BiPAP devices are one of the best ways of therapies for you. However, using the BiPAP devices will not at all be effective if you are not using them in the right way. The proper way of using the BiPAP devices includes time-to-time maintenance and thorough cleaning. However, it may not be easier for you to clean while spending your money on costly BiPAP cleaners. At the same time, if you are running out of commercially bought cleaners, your cleaning must not be affected due to it. You can use various methods or homemade remedies to clean it. Hence, here is what you need to know about cleaning the BiPAP devices:

Why clean your BiPAP regularly?

Before you go to clean the BiPAP device for your treatment, you need to consider its importance. Keeping your BiPAP clean is highly effective in maintaining the better functioning of the machine from time to time.

You directly breathe the air which gets circulated within the machine. The air gets filtered and humidified with the help of the filter and the humidifier. But just because it has a filter, it does not mean that there is no requirement for cleaning. Rather than help the filter function properly, it is important to clean the machine from time to time.  Cleaning can help you to avoid the various potential dangers and problems, which includes-

• Allergy symptoms
• Molding exposure 
• Bacterial exposure
• Risk of sinus infections or pneumonia
• Mineralization
• Foul odor
• Fungus building up
• Premature breaking down of the equipment
• Ineffective airflow

How do you clean it properly?

You need to conduct a routine cleaning for all the equipment of the device. The equipment includes tubing, device, filter, mask, water chamber, etc.

First of all, you need to disassemble the entire equipment of the machine. Be very careful while disassembling. Make sure you are not breaking it anyhow. Then clean it thoroughly before assembling it again to use.

What do you need to clean the BiPAP device on your own?

• Parts you want to clean and maintain
• Warm, clean water
• Soft clean cloth
• Anti-bacterial dish soap
•  Clean towel

How do you clean it step by step?

Whether you are cleaning your machine daily or you are cleaning it weekly, you have to follow few simple steps for cleaning it. Here are the steps that you can use:

• First, you need to unplug your BiPAP machine from the power source before you take it for cleaning.
• Disconnect the mask and the chamber from the tubing.
•  Detach all the parts that can be reattached easily while assembling.
•  Remove the tubing from the connectors, humidifier, or machine.
• If you have a humidifier in your machine, then separate it to move the water from the chamber.
• Start with properly wiping the surface of the machine using warm water and a clean, soft cloth. Wipe gently to get rid of any of the dust from the surface area of the machine. 
• Add a very gentle dish soap that is mild enough and anti-bacterial for cleaning your machine thoroughly.
• Submerge the equipment in the soapy water a few minutes before you take it out and clean it thoroughly with distilled water.

Home remedies that you can use despite the BiPAP cleaner:

Though the BiPAP cleaning does not require too many supplies, however, you can consider picking home remedies over the commercially bought cleaners. Here are the home remedies you can use:

Vinegar solution: While cleaning the BiPAP equipment properly, you can use the vinegar solution instead of the soapy water.  You can use 1 part of vinegar with 1 part of water to create a mixture for soaking the device while cleaning.

Baking soda: After cleaning the machine with the vinegar solution, you can consider using a baking soda paste with the mixture of water to rub on the equipment while cleaning. It will help you to get rid of any foul smell.

Conclusion:

Keeping your BiPAP machine clean from time to time makes sure that you are getting a healthy treat with it. Hence ensure that you are using the proper home remedies, which are cost-effective and gives you a thorough satisfactory cleaning every time.