Oxygen concentrators are a huge help to people living with COPD, but they require care to function efficiently. Oxygen concentrators feature many important parts, from the tubing to the oxygen concentration filter. It’s tough to know where to start. We’ve made a quick guide to caring for and maintaining an oxygen concentrator to help out.
Exterior
While the exterior of your unit won’t contribute much to the function of the internal components, it’s a good idea to keep your oxygen concentrator clean. Over time, an oxygen concentrator will collect dust, dirt, and grime through natural use. Before cleaning any part of your oxygen concentrator, ensure the device is disconnected from power and completely powered down.
With a damp cloth, firmly rub the unit to clean off any stuck-on grime. Depending on the level of wear, you may want to use a mild detergent (like liquid dishwashing soap) to help get dirt and grime off your unit.
Filter
Before removing the filter, check that your machine is turned off. Refer to your manual to locate the filter and follow its instructions for proper removal. Clean the filter using tap water (you can again employ liquid dishwashing detergent for any stubborn stains). When you’ve finished cleaning the filter, let it air dry in a well-ventilated room and ensure it’s fully dry before putting it back in the concentrator.
Nasal Cannula
Fill a bowl or your sink with water and add a few drops of dishwashing detergent. Soak the nasal cannula in the water for a few minutes, then use a cotton swab to clean out any dust collected in the cannula. Set the cannula aside to air dry.
For a deeper clean, soak your nasal cannula in a mixture of white vinegar and water (one part white vinegar to ten parts water). Make sure the nasal cannula is completely dry before using it again.
Tubing
Good news! You don’t need to clean your oxygen tubing, but you should replace it every six months. Never use tubing that is over 25 feet long, and check your tubing for any cracks daily.
Now that you know how to care for and maintain an oxygen concentrator, if you need a new oxygen concentrator for home use, contact us and we can help you out!