For people with sleep apnea, a CPAP machine is a life-changing device, but like all medical devices, a CPAP machine needs to be cleaned and sanitized frequently. However, even though we know that it is important to have a clean CPAP machine a lot of people put off the task or ignore it altogether for long periods of time.
Many of us are so busy in our day-to-day lives that we can’t get everything done. So we let things slide. For CPAP users one of those things is often the cleaning and sanitizing of our CPAP machine and equipment.
Luckily, SoClean is here with their SoClean 2 CPAP Cleaner and Sanitizer to make this task quick, easy, and simple. Read our review of the SoClean 2 CPAP Cleaner and Sanitizer to see if it makes sense for you.
Table of Contents
How Important is it to Clean Your CPAP Machine?
All you need is just a little bit of water in your CPAP mask or hose to help create a breeding ground for mold, bacteria, and viruses. Letting these things grow unchecked could put you at risk for respiratory or other health problems. In fact, the research found that adults with sleep apnea had a 20% increased risk of being diagnosed with pneumonia than the control group, with the risk factor increasing to 32% for those people who use a CPAP machine. Researchers suggest that one of the possible explanations for this finding is that the CPAP machines are exposing the users to bacterial contaminants that can lead to pneumonia.
Each CPAP manufacturer will have its own set of instructions and recommendations for the cleaning and maintenance of their CPAP units. However, it is generally recommended that CPAP tubing, mask, and headgear should be cleaned at least once per week, while the humidifier chamber reservoir should be rinsed daily.
Unfortunately, all too often the manufacturer’s instructions and guidelines regarding how often to clean and disinfect CPAP equipment don’t get followed by users, which can put their health at risk.
Thankfully CPAP users have another option that can help them if they are struggling to keep their CPAP equipment clean and disinfected as directed.
Introducing the SoClean 2 CPAP Cleaner and Sanitizer
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The SoClean 2 used activated oxygen, otherwise known as ozone, to completely sanitize your CPAP mask, hose, and reservoir without the use of any water or chemicals.
But the people at SoClean knew that creating a machine that can thoroughly disinfect a user’s CPAP equipment wasn’t enough. They knew that they needed to create a product that was also quick and easy to use otherwise nobody would use it. They needed to make a product that was so quick and easy to use that people won’t skip disinfecting their CPAP machine because they are having a busy day.
Not only does the SoClean 2 do a great job, but its users can never say that they were too busy to disinfect their CPAP machine and equipment.
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Effective
- No messy soaps or chemicals
Cons
- Ozone smell
- Price
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Review of the Key Features and Benefits of the SoClean 2 CPAP Cleaner and Sanitizer
Efficiency
When used as directed the SoClean 2 can kill 99.9% of CPAP germs and bacteria in your CPAP mask, hose, and reservoir with no disassembly required.
Chemical Free
The SoClean 2 is chemical-free. So you don’t need to worry about needing to use water, or chemicals in order to sanitize your CPAP equipment.
That doesn’t mean that you will never need to do anything else to keep your CPAP clean. For example, the SoClean 2 doesn’t remove any dirt or oil that might be on your mask. So it is still a good idea to use some mask cleaning wipes.
Ease of Use
One of the best things about the SoClean 2 is the fact that it is so easy to use.
People who buy a SoClean 2 do so because they want to have a clean CPAP machine, hose, and mask, but sanitizing it by hand is too time-consuming and cumbersome. The people at SoClean knew this, which is why they designed the SoClean 2 to be as convenient as possible to use.
Unlike some other CPAP cleaning machines, disassembly of your CPAP is not required to use the SoClean 2. All you need to do is wake up and place your mask directly in the SoClean CPAP cleaning unit. You don’t even need to disconnect the hose.
Below is a video showing you how the SoClean 2 works.
Adapters
The SoClean 2 was designed to fit most CPAP models. However, there are some models that don’t fit the SoClean 2. Luckily the people at SoClean thought about this and created adapters to make those models work with the SoClean 2.
If you have a ResMed S9, ResMed Airsense 10, Philips Respironics, Fisher & Paykel ICON™, or a Fisher & Paykel 600 series you will need a CPAP machine adapter for the SoClean 2 to be compatible with your model.
Here is a list of adapters with links to buy them on Amazon.
ResMed S9 – https://amzn.to/2Mr9rGG
ResMed Airsense 10 – https://amzn.to/2MrK6ML
Philips Respironics – https://amzn.to/2S4WwPM
Fisher & Paykel ICON™ – https://amzn.to/2Mr9J0e
Fisher & Paykel 600 series – https://amzn.to/2W9TitL
Activated Oxygen (Ozone)
As we stated previously the SoClean 2 uses ozone to sanitize and disinfect your CPAP equipment.
Ozone works very well at disinfecting things. However, some people don’t like the smell of ozone, and other people with respiratory conditions can have their conditions aggravated by exposure to ozone.
If you are sensitive to ozone or don’t like the smell one thing you can do after disinfecting your CPAP with the SoCLEAN 2 is to remove your mask from the SoCLEAN 2 and run your CPAP for 5 minutes before going to bed. That should help to remove any residual ozone left in your CPAP equipment.
Filters
The SoClean 2 uses a filter that needs to be replaced about every six months. This cartridge filter converts the activated oxygen back to regular oxygen as it leaves the SoClean 2 chamber. Depending on where you buy the filters and if there are any sales SoClean 2 users should plan on spending around $30 each time they purchase a filter.
Size
The SoClean 2 measures 11 inches x 11 inches x 13 inches and weighs 7lbs. Knowing the size and weight should bring two thoughts to mind. First, do you have enough space on your nightstand for BOTH your CPAP machine and the SoClean 2? Second, how difficult will it be to travel with the SoClean 2 or will you be OK with cleaning your CPAP equipment by hand when you are away from home.
Price
The SoClean 2 can cost a bit more than some of the other CPAP cleaning machine options out there.
However, there are 3 reasons why it is probably worth a few extra dollars:
- It does a great job (killing 99.9% of CPAP germs and bacteria)
- Super convenient 1-step process that requires no disassembly of your CPAP
- Sanitizes everything (mask, hose, and reservoir). Not every CPAP cleaning machine does that.
Other Options
VirtuCLEAN
The VirtuCLEAN also uses ozone to disinfect your CPAP equipment. VirtuCLEAN is significantly smaller than the SoClean 2 and is a great option for people who travel a lot (especially if you fly often and need to bring it with you on a plane). It is also rechargeable and can work in situations such as a camping trip where you might not have power.
The one drawback with using the VirtuCLEAN is that unlike the SoCLEAN 2, which is a 1-step process that doesn’t require any disassembly, disinfecting your CPAP mask, hose, and reservoir with the VirtuCLEAN is a 2-step process that requires some minimal disassembly.
Sanitizing Your CPAP by Hand
If you don’t want to part with your money and have both the available time and commitment to follow through with the manufacturer’s suggested cleaning and disinfecting schedule for your CPAP unit doing it by hand is certainly an option.
You can find all kinds of wipes, soaps, and helpful cleaning tools on Amazon to help you do it yourself.
Final Thoughts
The SoClean 2 CPAP Cleaner and Sanitizer do a masterful job at killing the germs and bacteria that are lurking in your mask, hose, and reservoir. It is perhaps the easiest cleaner on the market to use. Plus, it doesn’t use any chemicals or soaps. So if you are having a hard time cleaning your CPAP equipment like you are supposed to getting a SoClean 2 might be just the thing you need to help safeguard your health
You can learn more about the SoClean 2 CPAP Cleaner and Sanitizer and buy it here.