One of the most popular CPAP sanitizers on the market is SoClean 2. Many sleep apnea patients use the CPAP sanitizer to clean their sleep apnea equipment machines at home. Now that the long-awaited ResMed AirSense 11 is out on the market, sleep apnea patients wonder if they can use it to clean the machine, the tubing or the humidifier with it.
Many of our customer even ask us for a specific SoClean hose adapter for AirSense 11, which connects the two units together. That’s why we decided to write a brief How to use SoClean to clean AirSense 11 article to clarify the matter fir everybody.
But first thing…
SoClean CPAP cleaning device
What is SoClean and how do you use it clean your CPAP machine?
SoClean is one of the most popular sanitizer devices dedicated to cleaning CPAP equipment like CPAPs, humidifiers, hoses, masks and headgear. SoClean is compatible with most CPAPs and BiPAPs out there as well as with most masks.
SoClean with AirSense 10 For Her CPAP Device
What is the difference between SoClean, SoClean 2 and SoClean 3?
The difference between SoClean and SoClean 2 is that the latter is designed for home use and includes automatic features that start the sanitation process on a schedule. There’s even a SoClean Go model that is smaller than the standard model and is designed primarily for travelling with your CPAP equipment. However, the smaller brother of SoClean 2 does not come with the same automatic start features. And then there’s SoClean 3m which is the newest addition to the ozonator line.
SoClean 3
How does SoClean work exactly?
SoClean is marketed as a device that uses ‘activated oxygen’ to clean CPAP equipment. Under activated oxygen they would like to say ‘ozone’ gas but somehow decide to use ‘activated oxygen’ instead. The sanitizer pushes the ozone gas through the tubing and adapter, all the way to the internal parts of the CPAP machine and back to the sanitizer. During the process the ozone gas reacts with the bacteria, fungus, and mold inside the mask, tubing, and reservoir.
How to use SoClean and SoClean 2 to clean AirSense 11?
Well, you don’t. Unless you want to void the ResMed warranty.
The SoClean devices are ozone sanitizers. CPAP-cleaners using ozone gas (or ‘activated oxygen’ as they would like to call it) can be used with ResMed devices, but doing so will void the manufacturer’s 2-year warranty and if your Airsense 11 breaks or experiences structural deterioration or degradation of its internal mechanisms, you’l leither have to cover the repair expenses yourself or buy a brand new CPAP. According to ResMed, ozone-gas cleaners can cause damage to their CPAPs. The company even issued a warning to their customers back in 2020, part of which goes the following:
‘Warranty update: Effective for sales of ResMed products on or after February 1, 2020, ResMed’s limited warranty will exclude damage to ResMed products caused by the use of ozone devices.’
You can read the full ResMed address here.
<<<The Air 11 is here>>>
If you insist on using an ozonator, however, one of the best choices for such a device is the full-blown CPAP mini-cleaner machine Resfit.
YOU CAN ORDER RESFIT CPAP CLEANER HERE
What does Philips have to say about SoClean-type ozonators and warranty?
Just as Resmed has issued a letter to their customers addressing the ozonator-warranty issue with their devices, so does have Philips Respironics. In an official letter responding to a customer’s request for written guidance, the company said that using SoClean on its DreamStation device will not automatically void the warranty, but that Philips “reserves the right to void a warranty if it is determined that the use of SoClean caused a defect for which a device otherwise under warranty was returned.”
So… to clean or not to clean with SoClean?
ResMed is not taking a position on whether you should use an ozone device. That decision is up to you, as the patient, to balance the convenience of using an ozone device versus the likelihood of potential damage to your ResMed equipment. SoClean and SoClean 2 can be used for the purpose of cleaning your AirSense 11, but doing so will voiding the warranty as per Resmed’s official statement.
Is there a cleaner that can be used to clean the new Resmed AirSense 11 without possibly damaging it?
Yes, there is. One such example is yet another popular CPAP sanitizer device among sleep apnea patients — the 3B Lumin CPAP cleaner. The Lumin uses UV-C light to sanitize CPAP equipment at home (and does not use ‘activated oxygen’ or ozone gas). You can see it here.
How to clean and care for your AirSense 11 without damaging it?
It’s actually very easy. The main body of the Air 11 can be cleaned with simple wipes, while the Humidifier, tubing, AirSense 11 masks and mask accessories can be cleaned either with some mild soap and warm water or automatically, in just five minutes using the proper equipment.
Order Your New Lumin CPAP Cleaner Today
Read our How to clean your AirSense 11 short guide to learn about the right way of maintaining your precious AirSense 11 in perfect condition.
Related articles: Which Philips CPAP are recalled?
