Cleaning your CPAP machine is essential in order to protect not only your CPAP accessories and machine but also yourself. If you don’t clean your CPAP supplies, this could cause bacteria to thrive and may result in a foul odor developing or even cause your equipment to break down altogether.
Using your CPAP machine is hard enough work as it is, so not cleaning your machine will only make the process more unpleasant and make you less likely to use it. Clean CPAP accessories are safer, healthier, and overall, will make your machine more tolerable to use.
There is a range of different CPAP cleaners and sanitizers on the market, and one of the best-rated is 3B Medical’s Lumin CPAP cleaner, which we’re going to be reviewing today…
The Lumin CPAP cleaner is quick and easy to use and offers 5-minute cleaning for your CPAP device. The Lumin uses high amounts of UV light to destroy the DNA of microorganisms. It generates over 2,000 mJ/cm2 of germicidal UVC, making it the strongest UVC device on the market for home use. Alongside offering super-fast cleaning, the Lumin is also chemical-free, making it safe enough for everyday use, and is user friendly to accommodate a wide range of users.
How does it work?
The Lumin relies on a low-pressure, mercury-arc lamp designed to produce the highest amounts of UV light – 90% of its energy is generated around 254nm. This is part of a disinfection method known as Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI), which uses short-wavelength ultraviolet (ultraviolet C or UVC) light as a way of eliminating microorganisms. It does this by destroying nucleic acids and disrupting their DNA, leaving them unable to perform vital cellular functions. In order to ensure your entire mask or hose is cleaned, the Lumin has a reflective interior and a tight safety seal to ensure the item is completely sanitized.
How long does it take?
The Lumin CPAP cleaner takes just five minutes to work its magic and leave your CPAP supplies not only visibly clean but hygienically clean, too. All you need to do is place your items in the chamber, press the button, and the device will start working. The complete cleaning cycle takes just 5 minutes, and because it only uses UVC light there are no additional cleaning products or items necessary, so you save money and time on any liquid sanitizers or sprays.
Usability
The Lumin CPAP cleaner is super user-friendly, and it has been designed in a way to make it easy and accessible to a wide range of CPAP users. With a one-button function, you can turn the cleaner on or off, and the light indicators signal when the machine is in-cycle or when it’s ready to use. This is a simple way of cleaning your CPAP supplies and can be worked into your daily routine. It’s a whole lot easier than messing around with sanitizers and sprays, and you can rest assured that you’ll get a more thorough clean.
Compatibility
The Lumin’s dimensions measure 9-3/8″ L x 6 3/8″ W x 3-7/8″ H, and the machine will clean any item that can fit in its drawer. It’s been specially designed to handle most CPAP masks, hoses, and water chambers, but the S10 water chambers must be separated before being placed in the drawer – these simply pop out and allow you to separate the chamber.
Versatility
Another thing we like about this device is that it’s not limited to just cleaning your CPAP. In fact, the Lumin can accommodate a range of small to medium items, from keys to cell phones to wallets or even your toothbrush. This means you get more bang for your buck, as there are endless cleaning possibilities with the Lumin.
Cost
The Lumin is slightly more expensive than other UV cleaners on the market, however, it’s also backed up by a range of research, and promises high durability, which could save you money in the long run. Once you’ve purchased it, there’s no need to buy any further replacement supplies, either. No additional cleaning products are needed to clean your CPAP, and the UV bulb that Lumin uses is rated to outlast the life of the device, so it’s highly unlikely it’ll need replacing. In the rare event that the bulb is damaged, replacement bulbs are available for a low cost from 3B Medical.
Cleaning
You should maintain a regular cleaning schedule for your CPAP accessories. 3B recommends cleaning these at least twice a week, but because Lumin’s cleaning cycle is only five minutes, you can clean them as frequently as you like. However, you should also check the CPAP manufacturer’s recommendations for the continued care of your equipment, as this will maximize the lifespan of your CPAP machine, mask, and accessories.
Safety
The Lumin cleaner contains no chemicals and is completely safe for both you and your equipment. Even though long exposure to UVC light can weaken plastics and silicone, the Lumin cycle time is only 5 minutes meaning the chances of damaging your equipment is extremely low. 3B has found no damage to plastics or silicone in over 150 hours of testing, roughly equivalent to 5 years of daily use, and one year of daily use amounts to just 30 hours of actual exposure time.
Final verdict
3B’s Lumin cleaner is an easy and convenient way to clean your CPAP accessories so that you can rest assured they’re thoroughly sanitized without having to spend hours cleaning your equipment yourself. Lumin’s short 5-minute cycle is the highlight of this product and makes cleaning your CPAP supplies effortless. It is a great alternative to the Sleep8 Cpap cleaner.
While the price is a little high and is a bit of an investment, you’re also guaranteed to save money in the long run as the Lumin requires no replacement products, and you’ll no longer need to purchase extra cleaning supplies. You’ll also keep your equipment clean and germ-free, which is likely to prolong its overall lifespan.
We think the Lumin CPAP cleaner is a convenient, user-friendly product that is highly effective and highly efficient. Also worth checking out the VirtuClean cpap cleaner, another good choice.
