Why and When to Replace Your CPAP Supplies

You know what happens when you ignore your car’s maintenance. You have all sorts of problems. Your engine could break down from lack of oil, your coolant system could fail and overheat the car in a matter of moments, or your battery could give out altogether.

Same for your CPAP machine. Like any other device, it needs ongoing upkeep to function at its highest potential. And when your CPAP machine’s function means the difference between rest or no rest, you want it to work at its best. Let’s look at why and when to replace the supplies on your CPAP machine.

Short-term CPAP Replacements

We’ll define “short term” here as “twice a month.” These replacements are ones necessary for supplies that wear out quickly, like your car’s gas or windshield wiper fluid.

Air Filters

CPAP Air filters make respiration more efficient and allow more oxygen to get to your bloodstream. But in this process of removing aerial contaminants and bacteria, they eventually accumulate those same contaminants—even if they don’t look dirty.

CPAP pillows

You’ll also want to replace your CPAP pillows pretty frequently. Having pillows that fit you properly makes a world of difference in your therapy and in getting a good night’s rest in general.

Quarterly CPAP Replacements

CPAP machine tubing and frames aren’t as susceptible to the everyday wear and tear of use (like a car’s oil or tires), but you still ought to replace them every three months.

Tubing

Simply put, your CPAP tubing can acquire tears and holes—sometimes imperceptible to the human eye—that reduce the pressure necessary for your therapy.

CPAP Mask Frame

The same goes for the CPAP mask frame. Repeated use during a quarter eventually weakens its structure and breaks it down. After three months, you’ll notice its fit isn’t nearly as snug as it should be. Keep up your maintenance and replace these supplies every three months.

Long-Term CPAP Replacements

These larger supplies—the engine and battery of your car, so to speak—are the centrepieces of your CPAP machine’s function. Examine and replace your water chamber and headgear roughly every six months.

Water Chamber

Your CPAP machine water chamber, like your air filter, can accumulate waste and bacteria during its use. On top of that, the tank itself may crack or turn white. Not ideal.

Headgear

Just like a sleeping mask after too much use, your CPAP headgear stretches over time. Eventually, you’ll reach a point when you’ve tightened your headgear beyond its usefulness. And the headgear can trap sweat-borne bacteria. So there’s that. While keeping up your CPAP machine’s maintenance isn’t as intensive as knowing the ins and outs of car upkeep, both are equally important if you use them frequently.

Machine maintenance isn’t exactly a riveting hobby, but you really don’t want your CPAP machine to break down. It’s literally your good health at stake. ​Watch our informative video about the reasons why you should regularly replace your CPAP supplies and our recommended replacement timeline.

Follow our guidelines for replacing each piece of your machine and stick with the timeframes. Your CPAP machine will run all the better, and you’ll sleep all the deeper.