The honest schedule is shorter than the leaflet and longer than "when it smells". Daily (two minutes): wipe the mask cushion where it touches your face — skin oil is what breaks the seal and shortens cushion life. Empty the water chamber and leave it open to air-dry; standing water is the thing that grows. Weekly (fifteen minutes): mask parts, tubing and chamber in warm water with a mild, fragrance-free soap; rinse well; hang to air-dry out of direct sun. Vinegar diluted in water is a reasonable de-scaler for the chamber if your water leaves deposits — rinse thoroughly afterwards. Distilled water in the humidifier prevents most of the scale in the first place. Monthly-ish: check the air filter at the back of the machine; replace or wash it according to your model's instructions (some are disposable, some are rinsable — the manual says which). A grey filter is a working filter; a black one is overdue. Never: bleach, alcohol, essential oils, or anything scented on silicone and tubing — they degrade the material and you breathe the residue. Do not put the machine itself in water; a damp cloth on the outside is all it needs. Ozone and UV cleaners. As of our last check, the US FDA has not cleared any of them for CPAP equipment and issued a safety communication about ozone exposure and material damage; the major machine makers say use of an ozone device can void the warranty, and several specifically advise against it. Soap and water is what every manufacturer actually recommends. If a supplier is bundling one, you are allowed to decline it. How to Clean Your CPAP Machine, Mask, and Hose (Skip the Gimmicks) Replacement schedules (cushions, tubing, filters) are a different question from cleaning — and that one is mostly set by your insurer or supplier, not by wear.

For the neighbouring problems this thread keeps touching, the shelf has: CPAP Dry Mouth and Mouth Breathing: How to Stop It Tonight — dry mouth, and why it is so often a mouth-leak symptom. CPAP Mask Leaks & Mouth Leak: Causes, the Data Threshold, and Fixes — the leak checklist in order. CPAP Nasal Congestion and Stuffy Nose: Causes and Fixes — the opposite complaint, congestion on therapy. Troubleshooting & Optimizing CPAP — the overview topic for the whole room. Comfort settings are yours to adjust; pressure is not. If comfort problems are pushing you towards changing prescribed settings, that is the moment to talk to somebody rather than to the menu. Nothing on SomniTalk is medical advice. Talk to your own clinician before changing therapy.

The shelf on this: CPAP Dry Mouth and Mouth Breathing: How to Stop It Tonight — dry mouth and mouth breathing, with the full set of fixes. CPAP Mask Types and Fit: Nasal, Pillow, and Full-Face Compared — what each mask class does well and badly. CPAP Nasal Congestion and Stuffy Nose: Causes and Fixes — for step 1 above, which is the step most people skip. Nothing on SomniTalk is medical advice. Talk to your own clinician before changing therapy.