Keeping your CPAP equipment clean is important for your health and your machine’s functionality. When a CPAP machine collects debris or bacteria, it can impact your therapy and your health. Luckily, it’s easy to keep your CPAP mask and accessories clean.
In most cases, all you need to wash your CPAP equipment is warm water and soap. While you can use regular dish soap, it may be worth opting for a CPAP-specific soap. They’re designed to clean your equipment without damaging its materials or leaving behind soapy residue.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of our team’s favorite CPAP soaps. Keep reading to find out which ones we like best and what makes them worth the money.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Purdoux CPAP Mask and Hose Soap
Ideal For
- Users seeking a lightly scented option
- Budget shoppers
- Anyone who wants to minimize silicone odors
Who Should Keep Looking
- Those sensitive to scented soaps
- Shoppers seeking a multi-pack
-
Price
$8.99
The CPAP Mask and Hose Soap from Purdoux is an effective, affordable soap designed to clean your CPAP equipment without leaving residue behind. It’s available in two lightly scented options: Citrus or Green Tea & Mint.
When combined with water, this soap neutralizes odors and gently removes oils, build-up, and germs. It doesn’t contain any bleach, alcohol, lotion, or latex, so it’s an excellent choice for those with allergies or skin sensitivities. It comes in a 250-milliliter bottle with one-time and auto-ship options.
Use this SleepApnea.org link for the most current discount on Purdoux CPAP Mask and Hose Soap
Shop NowBest All-in-One Kit
LiViliti CPAP Soap Cleaning Kit
Ideal For
- Shoppers who want a TSA-friendly option
- People with sensitive skin
- Those seeking a two-step system with soap and wipes
Who Should Keep Looking
- Those who prefer bulk packaging over single-use
- CPAP users who want only soap and no CPAP wipes
-
Price
$12
LiViliti’s CPAP Soap Cleaning Kit is a two-step system that uses CPAP wipes and soap to clean your CPAP mask and accessories. The kit comes with enough Bubble Pad wipes to use for daily washes, as well as soap packets for weekly deep cleans.
Neither the wipe nor the soap contain any skin irritants or fragrances. It has a gentle, residue-free formula that removes oils and bacteria. The single-use cleaners come in small, travel-friendly packaging that meets TSA liquid guidelines. Choose between one-, two-, or three-month supplies at checkout.
Use this SleepApnea.org link for the most current discount on LiViliti CPAP Soap Cleaning Kit
Shop NowBest Scent-Free Soap
Essential Values CPAP Cleaner Pre-Wash
Ideal For
- CPAP users who prefer a dye-free and scent-free soap
- Shoppers looking for a bulk-size bottle
- Those who want a concentrated cleaner
Who Should Keep Looking
- People who prefer pre-measured cleaners
- Shoppers seeking an auto-ship option
-
Price
$15.69
The CPAP Cleaner Pre-Wash from Essential Values is a concentrated cleaning agent meant to rid CPAP masks and accessories of odors, bacteria, and debris. It’s both fragrance-free and dye-free, making it a solid choice for anyone seeking a gentle cleaning option.
The bottle comes with a generous 16 ounces of cleaner, and each wash only takes one to two capfulls of cleaner, so a little goes a long way. The pre-wash is chemical-free and safe to breathe.
Use this SleepApnea.org link for the most current discount on Essential Values CPAP Cleaner Pre-Wash
Shop NowBest for Odors
Snugell CPAP Soap Cleaner
Ideal For
- CPAP users who want an odor neutralizer
- Those who want a bulk option
- Budget-conscious shoppers
Who Should Keep Looking
- People allergic to or sensitive to soaps with fragrance
- Shoppers who want a travel-friendly size
-
Price
$25.99
Snuggell’s CPAP Soap Cleaner is an excellent choice for CPAP users who want a CPAP cleaner that also neutralizes odor. It has a light citrus scent that reviewers say doesn’t linger after use. The soap is gel-based and doesn’t contain any dye, alcohol, bleach, conditioners, or moisturizers.
Along with odors, this soap also cleans away germs, bacteria, and any debris left on your CPAP mask and accessories. You can buy just one bottle, but opting for the three-pack can provide you with significant savings.
Use this SleepApnea.org link for the most current discount on Snugell CPAP Soap Cleaner
Shop NowHow We Selected These CPAP Soaps
Our team at SleepApnea.org has extensive experience researching CPAP equipment, sleep apnea therapy accessories, and CPAP cleaning products. When selecting the best CPAP soaps, we evaluated factors such as ingredient safety, cleaning effectiveness, ease of rinsing, compatibility with CPAP equipment, scent options, and overall value.
We also considered how well each product addressed common CPAP cleaning needs, including removing facial oils, reducing residue buildup, preserving mask materials, and supporting routine equipment maintenance. Because CPAP users have different preferences and sensitivities, we included a variety of soaps designed for daily cleaning, fragrance-free use, and sensitive skin.
Do You Need Soap to Clean Your CPAP Mask?
You don’t need soap to clean your CPAP mask, but for some people, the pros of cleaning with soap may outweigh the cons.
Pros of CPAP cleaning with soap:
- Removes bacteria and germs
- Neutralizes odors
- Simple and effective
- Gets rid of minerals and scaling in humidifier reservoirs
- No residue when done correctly
- Typically inexpensive
Cons of CPAP cleaning with soap:
Too much soap and too little water can leave residue
Some soaps have alcohol or agents that can damage silicone
Fragrances and dyes may be irritating for people with sensitive skin
Make CPAP Cleaning Quick and Easy
Shop CPAP cleaning supplies like wipes, brushes, and soap from Sleep Doctor to keep your therapy hygienic and effective.
What to Consider When Buying Soap for a CPAP
You can use a variety of soaps to effectively clean your CPAP machine and accessories, including those that aren’t meant for CPAPs. Mild dish soap can work just as well as soaps designed for CPAP masks and hoses, but dish soap may lack other helpful features like odor neutralization.
When buying soap to clean your CPAP, you may want to think about some of the following factors.
- Scented vs. unscented: Consider whether or not you want fragrance and whether it will irritate your skin.
- Ingredients: Alcohol, moisturizers, lotions, and dyes can cause skin discomfort and lead to silicone deterioration.
- Multi-pack: Some retailers offer multi-packs or bulk options that can save you money over time.
- Auto-supply: Get a new bottle of cleaner delivered automatically each month to save money and time.
- Odor neutralization: Some cleaners remove germs and odors. Look for odor neutralizers if your mask tends to retain smells.
- Travel sizes: Frequent travelers may want to seek out TSA-friendly soap packs that are within the liquid limits for flying.
How to Clean Your CPAP Mask
You should wash your CPAP mask daily to make sure that it stays free of germs, bacteria, and buildup. Follow these steps to get your mask and accessories clean.
- Disconnect your CPAP mask from its tubing and headgear, then remove any fabric pieces.
- Fill a clean wash basin with warm water and as much soap as is directed. Most soaps are meant to be diluted.
- Place your mask, tubing, and any other accessories that need to be washed into the tub.
- Leave everything to soak for 5 minutes or as long as directed.
- Remove the mask and accessories, then rinse with clean water.
- Place the mask on a clean, dry towel and lay it out to dry. You can also hang-dry your hose to ensure that all water drains out.
Keep in mind that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns against using ozone cleaners to wash your CPAP equipment because they can cause material breakdowns that could be harmful to your health. Stick to soap and water and avoid ultraviolet (UV) or ozone cleaners.
Still have questions?
Sleep apnea products can be confusing. If you need individualized assistance, post your question to the Sleep Doctor forum.
Written by
Cassandra Burns, Contributing WriterCassandra is a health writer who writes about sleep products and reads emerging research to develop science-based articles that help demystify the connection between health and sleep. She's happy to report that she sleeps well most nights, which is probably thanks to her energetic dog and her other work managing a family-owned whitewater rafting business in Upstate New York.
