Last updated: January 23, 2017
It might seem obvious that you should be cleaning your CPAP mask for hygienic reasons. But, did you know that the performance of your mask and machine depend on it, too? A buildup of oil and dead skin can affect how the mask seals to your face. Wiping your mask everyday with the best CPAP wipes will ensure that your mask maintains a perfect seal. Perfect seals improve your CPAP therapy, helping solve your sleep apnea by decreasing the chance of mask leaks. Below, I'll list some of the different best CPAP wipes I've found online.
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Best CPAP Wipes For Masks
It is recommended that you clean your CPAP mask every day, but I'm sure we have all been guilty of neglecting this some days. Using a CPAP mask wipe makes the job as easy as could be and only takes 30 seconds. Below are a few of the best CPAP wipes we recommend.
Citrus Magic - Citrus II CPAP Mask Wipes
Citrus is the magic ingredient instead of any alcohol. It is a gentle, but effective, formula for getting rid of the oil that builds up over the course of the night.
Don’t worry about a strong citrus scent with these wipes. The formula is such that it uses the properties of citrus without the smell although it does have a bright, clean smell. They are all natural and free from solvents, and they won’t damage your mask when cleaning it.
Travel CPAP Wipes
Citrus Magic also makes a travel size option for your CPAP mask wipes. It is the same product, just in an easy-to-carry travel size. These packs contain 12 wipes.
SoClean CPAP Mask Wipes
I was very happy to find these all-natural CPAP wipes by SoClean, the creators of the SoClean 2 CPAP Machine. They are made entirely out of cotton and are alcohol and latex free.
SoClean doesn’t use any harsh chemicals in their formula, but they still do a great job of removing any dirt, oils, and grime from your mask. They are also hypo-allergenic and fragrance free.
They do a good job of cleaning your hands, also, which I recommend doing before you wipe your mask down.
Cheapest CPAP Wipes - Patient Sleep Supplies
You can’t beat the price on these all-natural CPAP wipes from Patient Sleep Supplies. Made out of 100% cotton, they gently clean your CPAP mask without any harsh chemicals. They are alcohol and latex free and, as a bonus, they are not tested on animals.
These wipes are listed as fragrance free, but they do have a bit of a lasting scent. It is a mild smell, but it might be enough to bother you. If you have zero tolerance for scents, you may want to keep that in mind. If you're looking for the cheapest CPAP mask wipe, this is the product for you.
You can also pick these wipes up with a lite citrus scent.
Best CPAP Mask Spray Cleaner
If you don't want to use wipes, you can opt for a spray option. Contour Products has developed a CPAP mask spray cleaner. As with the other cleaning products, it is all natural and does not have much of a scent. It is alcohol and latex free. The formula is derived from coconut and other plant extracts.
This spray bottle makes it easy for travel as well. To use, simply spray in your mask and wipe it down with a paper towel.
See our top recommended nasal mask and full face mask.
CPAP Cleaning Kits
If you're looking for a whole CPAP cleaning kit, I'd recommend the RespiKit. It contains everything you need to complete your weekly CPAP cleaning maintenance. It includes several spray bottles, including a 1oz bottle for travel size.
This kit also has a container that you can put your humidifier chamber in and let it soak. The RespiKit is meant to provide a full-cleaning solution for your CPAP equipment while being efficient. You can put all of your gear in the provided container and let it sit there and soak. Once it's done soaking, just rinse and let dry.
It is a great way to clean your CPAP mask, hose, and humidifier all at the same time.
CPAP Cleaning Advice
As already mentioned, you should be cleaning your mask everyday. There are a couple of things to keep in mind.
Make sure that the cleaning products you use are alcohol free as the alcohol can dry out or damage some of your mask. If these parts get dried out from the alcohol, they might cause leaks rendering your mask useless. Using alcohol-free wipes will extend the life of your mask.
If you are irritated by fragrance, use only non-scented cleaners. Don’t forget that your mask will be right over your nose. Any scent on the wipes will linger and could irritate your eyes or nose. In addition, the scent might be distracting and make it harder for you to fall asleep.
Always make sure that your hands are washed or sanitized right before using the wipes. Any oil on your hands could transfer to your mask. You might think your mask is clean after wiping only to have your hands nullify any good the wipes achieved.
I recommend using wipes specific for cleaning CPAP machines. Other cleaning wipes may contain alcohol, moisturizers, aloe, or scents which can leave a film on your mask and irritate your nose.
Best CPAP Wipes Reviews - Final Thoughts
Remember, even if you choose to go with one of the best CPAP wipes that I reviewed here, it is recommended to do a deep cleaning once a week.
These wipes do a great job at cleaning the oil and dirt off of your mask and extending their use, but they do not disinfect as well as soap. To make sure you have gotten rid of any bacteria, the weekly deep cleaning is essential.
The less work your CPAP machine is, the less likely you will look at it as an inconvenience. For the price, cleaning wipes are well worth the time saved.
Take care of your CPAP machine and it will take care of you.
Do you use any other CPAP cleaners? Share them in the comments below!
Images provided courtesy of BeaumontProducts.com
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