For those on oxygen therapy, your oxygen concentrator is one of the keys to living a comfortable, successful life. If you want to maintain that quality of life, then you have to maintain your machine. Keep reading to learn how to clean your oxygen concentrator machine at home so you can easily maintain your equipment without the need for professional help.

Start With the Outside

If you want to totally clean your concentrator, then you need to start with the outside of your machine. Unplug it at least ten minutes before cleaning so it has time to cool, and while it cools, wet a lint-free cloth with warm, soapy water. You can use any mild soap, but mild dish soap is best. Wring the cloth out and wipe down the entire outside of your concentrator. If there’s any soap left behind, wipe it down again with another damp cloth that doesn’t have soap on it. Then, dry the concentrator with a lint-free cloth or allow it to air dry.

Clean the Filter Next

After cleaning the outside of your machine, you can clean the filter inside it. Your machine should come with manufacturer instructions explaining how to remove the filter from your machine. If it didn’t, order another set of instructions and wait until they arrive before attempting to clean the filter.

To clean the filter, fill a sink or bathtub with warm water and mild dish soap. The water should be deep enough to fully submerge the filter. Next, remove the filter according to the instructions and dip it into the sink or bathtub. Do this several times before using a wet, lint-free cloth to remove any stubborn dust or dirt buildup. Once you’re sure the filter is clean, rinse it with warm water, and either pat it dry with a lint-free cloth or leave it to air dry. Make sure the filter is completely dry before putting it back into your concentrator.

Don’t Forget the Accessories

All oxygen users know that there are various accessories that come with your oxygen concentrator and also that it’s important to keep them clean. The cleanliness of your accessories affects the environment that the concentrator is in, and a dirty environment can shorten the lifespan of your filter and concentrator. Cleaning your accessories and your equipment regularly will help everything last longer.

Cleaning the nasal cannula is like cleaning the filter. Turn your concentrator off and disconnect the nasal cannula. Fill a sink or bathtub with mild dish soap and warm water, deep enough to fully submerge the nasal cannula, and then soak the cannula in the sink or tub for around 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, briefly soak it in a solution of ten parts water to one-part white vinegar. Rinse it in cool water, and then you can pat the outside dry before hanging it to air dry. Do not reconnect your nasal cannula to your concentrator until it is fully dry.

You can follow the same steps when cleaning your portable oxygen concentrator, but you’ll also need to clean the bag that you carry it in to help maintain a clean environment for the concentrator. If the bag is machine washable, you can just throw it in your wash machine with a mild detergent. Make sure to wash it alone so that lint doesn’t get stuck to the inside and affect your concentrator. Check whether it’s safe to machine dry it or whether you need to air dry it. If you air dry it, try to leave it in a sunny spot, since sunshine can help kill bacteria.

If your bag isn’t machine washable, then fill a bathtub with warm water and mild laundry detergent deep enough to fully submerge the bag. Dip the bag into the water and use a brush to clean any dust or dirt buildup on the outside before turning it inside out and doing the same on the inside. Once you’ve cleaned off the buildup, scrub the entire bag inside and out and leave it to soak for at least 30 minutes. After soaking, rinse it with warm water and pat the outside dry with a lint-free cloth. You can then leave it open to air dry, either hanging it up so it’s out of the way or leaving it in a sunny spot like we described above.

Cleaning Schedule

Now that you know how to clean your concentrator and related equipment, you need to know how frequently to perform these cleanings. Some of the pieces are on a different cleaning schedule, but if you write them down, you’ll be able to easily keep track of what needs to be cleaned and when.

The interior filters require the least frequent cleaning. You should clean these at least once a month, ideally twice a month, especially if you use your concentrator in a dusty environment, which is not recommended.

Wipe down the outside of your machine and clean the exterior filters every week. You may want to sanitize your portable oxygen concentrator more frequently since it travels with you to so many different environments.

Sanitize your nasal cannula every day by wiping it down with an alcohol wipe while the machine is off. Perform the deep clean we described above once a week and replace the cannula and tubing once a month if you are on continuous oxygen use. Intermittent oxygen users can replace their cannula and tubing every two months.

Clean your portable bag once every three months. You can do this more often if you notice dirt or dust buildup in certain spots, or you can just scrub those spots at a sink or over a bathtub. Even if you scrub out these spots on a weekly or monthly basis, it’s a good idea to perform the deep clean we described every three months.

Now you know how to clean your oxygen concentrator machine at home and what your cleaning schedule should look like. Try to develop these cleaning habits as soon as you start on oxygen so that you keep up a good schedule and protect your equipment. If you’re new to oxygen therapy and need oxygen concentrator equipment, Bridge To Care is proud to offer a variety of concentrators, accessories, and supplies to fit your needs. We are dedicated to providing affordable, quality oxygen therapy equipment so you can breathe better on a budget.

How To Clean Your Oxygen Concentrator at Home