Cleaning your ResMed AirSense 11 comes down to two routines: a quick daily wipe-down of the mask cushion and a weekly wash of the mask, tubing, and water tub. The machine body itself needs only occasional dusting and a new air filter every few months. ResMed publishes specific cleaning instructions for each part, and following them protects both your health and the machine’s warranty.
Most people overthink CPAP cleaning. The parts that touch your skin and the water you breathe through need regular attention. The motor and electronics do not. Getting that distinction right is the whole game.
How To Clean Resmed Airsense 11 Daily Weekly?
Split the work into daily and weekly tasks, then add a few occasional jobs. This is the schedule ResMed describes in its user guide, and it matches what sleep clinicians generally advise.
Daily: wipe the mask cushion with a damp cloth or a manufacturer-approved wipe. Empty and rinse the water tub, then let it air dry. Top up with fresh distilled water each night rather than reusing yesterday’s.
Weekly: wash the mask (cushion, frame, and headgear), the air tubing, and the water tub in warm water with mild dish soap. Rinse thoroughly and air dry completely, out of direct sunlight.
Occasionally: replace the air filter every few months or sooner if it looks dirty. Check the humidifier tub for mineral buildup. Replace parts on the schedule your equipment supplier recommends.
One detail people miss: the AirSense 11’s humidifier tub is designed to be opened and washed. Some earlier machines used sealed tubs that you could not fully clean inside. If you are coming from an older device, the routine has changed.
What Do You Need to Clean an AirSense 11?
You do not need special equipment. Mild, fragrance-free dish soap, warm water, and a clean towel or drying rack cover almost everything.
- Mild dish soap without added moisturizers or strong fragrance
- Warm water (not hot — heat can warp plastic parts and shorten their life)
- Distilled water for the humidifier, and ideally for rinsing
- A clean area to air dry parts, away from sunlight
- Manufacturer-approved wipes for daily mask cleaning if you prefer them
Skip bleach, alcohol, harsh cleaners, and scented products on the mask and tubing. These can degrade the silicone and plastic, and residue can irritate your airways. ResMed specifically advises against cleaning agents containing bleach, chlorine, or alcohol on most components. If you use wipes, confirm they are listed as safe for CPAP equipment — some general-purpose wipes contain ingredients that damage silicone over time.
How Do You Clean the Mask and Cushion?
The mask cushion is the part that sits against your face all night, so it collects skin oils, sweat, and moisture. That buildup is the main reason masks start leaking or feeling uncomfortable.
Each morning, wipe the cushion with a damp cloth or approved wipe. Once a week, take the mask apart — cushion, frame, and headgear separate — and wash each piece in warm soapy water. Rinse well, shake off excess water, and let everything air dry fully before reassembly.
Do not put mask parts in the dishwasher or washing machine. Heat and agitation damage the materials. Hand washing is the standard.
If the cushion feels stiff, discolored, or starts leaking despite cleaning, it is likely worn out. Cushions typically need replacing more often than the rest of the mask. Your supplier can tell you the replacement schedule for your specific mask model.
How Do You Clean the Air Tubing?
Wash the tubing weekly with warm water and mild soap. Run the soapy water through the tube, then rinse thoroughly by running clean water through it. Hang it to dry with both ends open so air can move through and moisture can escape.
Do not hang tubing over a door or hook in a way that traps water inside. Moisture left in the tube encourages germ growth and can cause a musty smell. A dedicated tubing hanger or a clean towel rack works well.
Never submerge the machine end of the tubing in water, and never wash the tubing while it is connected to the device. Disconnect first.
How Do You Clean the Humidifier Water Tub?
Empty the tub every morning. Rinse it with warm water and let it air dry. Once a week, wash it with warm soapy water, rinse well, and dry completely.
Use distilled water, not tap water, in the humidifier. Tap water contains minerals that leave a white film and can build up inside the tub and heating plate. Distilled water dramatically reduces that buildup and is what ResMed recommends.
If you do see mineral scale, a diluted solution of white vinegar and water can help dissolve it — check your device’s user guide for the manufacturer’s guidance on vinegar use before trying it. Rinse thoroughly afterward so no vinegar residue remains. Never use a sharp object to scrape the heating plate.
What About the Machine Body and Air Filter?
The AirSense 11 body does not need washing. Wipe the outside with a dry or slightly damp cloth when it looks dusty. Keep the air inlet and filter area clear.
The air filter is the one part that needs regular attention. ResMed uses a disposable filter that should be replaced periodically. Check it every couple of weeks — if it is discolored or clogged, replace it sooner. A dirty filter reduces airflow and makes the motor work harder.
Do not wash the disposable filter and reuse it. Replace it. Some machines accept a hypoallergenic filter option; follow the guidance for your specific filter type.
How Often Should You Replace CPAP Parts?
Cleaning keeps parts working well, but parts still wear out. Replacement schedules vary by part type and by how heavily you use the machine. Your equipment supplier and insurance plan usually set a schedule.
| Part | Typical Replacement Guidance |
|---|---|
| Mask cushion | Every few weeks to a few months, depending on wear |
| Mask frame and headgear | Every few months |
| Air tubing | Every few months |
| Water tub | Every few months, or sooner if cracked or scaled |
| Air filter | Every few months, or sooner if dirty |
These are general ranges, not fixed rules. Medicare and many insurers follow their own replacement schedules, which may differ from what a manufacturer recommends. Check with your supplier before assuming a part is covered.
Replace any part immediately if it is cracked, torn, or no longer seals properly. A damaged cushion or tub undermines your therapy, and a cracked tub can leak water into the machine.
Why Does CPAP Cleaning Actually Matter?
Your CPAP pushes filtered air into your airway all night. Anything growing on the mask, tubing, or in the water tub sits right at the source of that airflow.
Dirty equipment is linked to more than just odor. Oily cushions lose their seal, which causes leaks and air escaping into your eyes. Mineral buildup in the humidifier reduces its performance. A clogged filter restricts airflow. None of these make therapy dangerous in most cases, but they make it less effective — and less effective therapy is the real problem.
Cleaning also protects your investment. ResMed’s warranty can be affected by damage from improper cleaning or neglect. Following the manufacturer’s instructions is the safest path for both your health and your device.
What Mistakes Should You Avoid?
Most CPAP problems trace back to a handful of cleaning errors. Avoiding them keeps your equipment working and your therapy on track.
- Using tap water in the humidifier — mineral buildup is the most common tub problem
- Cleaning with bleach, alcohol, or scented products — these damage materials and can irritate airways
- Putting parts in the dishwasher or washing machine — heat and agitation cause damage
- Storing parts wet — trapped moisture encourages germ growth and musty smells
- Reusing disposable filters — they are not designed to be washed
- Ignoring worn parts — cleaning cannot fix a cracked cushion or torn tubing
If your equipment develops a persistent musty smell after cleaning, or you notice mold or discoloration you cannot remove, replace the affected part. Some growth cannot be fully cleaned out of tubing or foam-lined components.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I clean my AirSense 11 mask with baby wipes?
Only if the wipes are fragrance-free and confirmed safe for silicone, since many baby wipes contain lotions or oils that degrade mask materials. A damp cloth or CPAP-approved wipe is the safer default.
Can I use tap water to clean my CPAP parts?
Tap water is generally fine for washing and rinsing mask, tubing, and tub, as long as you dry parts completely afterward. Distilled water is specifically recommended for filling the humidifier, because minerals in tap water build up on the heating plate.
How often should I replace the air filter on my AirSense 11?
ResMed advises checking the filter regularly and replacing it when it looks dirty or discolored, which for most users works out to every few months. Follow the schedule your equipment supplier provides.
Do I need to clean the AirSense 11 machine itself?
The machine body does not need washing; wipe the outside with a dry or slightly damp cloth when dusty. Never open the device or let water enter the motor housing.
