Cleaning an Acapella device involves a simple daily wash with warm water and mild dish soap, followed by a more thorough disinfection once a week. The process takes only a few minutes each day, but skipping it creates real problems: studies of airway clearance devices find that the majority become contaminated with bacteria between cleanings, and the organisms that colonize them do not always match what is already in your lungs, meaning the device can introduce new pathogens rather than just harbor familiar ones. Getting the routine right protects your airways and keeps the device performing the way it should.
Why Cleaning Matters More Than You Might Think
Every time you exhale through an Acapella, moisture and mucus travel through the mouthpiece and into the internal airflow path. That warm, damp environment is ideal for microbial growth. In a study of airway clearance devices used by children with cystic fibrosis, roughly a third tested positive for pathogenic bacteria, and the microbes found on the devices did not match those already present in the patients’ airways.1Infection Prevention in Practice. Assessment of the microbial load of airway clearance devices used by a cohort of children with cystic fibrosis That finding is worth sitting with: a contaminated device is not just a passive surface reflecting whatever is already in your lungs. It can act as an independent source of infection.
A separate study that tested 30 devices before and after cleaning found that nearly all were contaminated before the cleaning step. The cleaning protocol fully eliminated organisms in half the samples and partially reduced them in another third, but in a handful of cases the cleaning was completely ineffective.2PubMed Central. Cleaning and infection control of airway clearance devices used by CF patients The takeaway is that cleaning works, but it has to be done consistently and thoroughly. A quick rinse under the tap is not the same as a genuine wash, and the difference shows up in lab cultures.
Airway clearance devices like the Acapella fall into a category that infection-control guidelines call “semi-critical,” meaning they come into contact with mucous membranes and need to be cleaned, disinfected, rinsed with sterile water, and air-dried.3PubMed. Device Cleaning and Infection Control in Aerosol Therapy That is a higher standard than wiping down a countertop, and the steps below reflect it.
Know Your Model Before You Start
Acapella devices come in a few versions, and the cleaning approach differs slightly depending on which one you have. The two most common are the Acapella DH (high flow, green) and the Acapella DM (low flow, blue). Both are sealed units. You cannot and should not try to take them apart. Cleaning these models means washing the exterior and flushing the interior through the mouthpiece and exhalation port without disassembling anything.
The Acapella Choice is a different story. It is designed to come apart fully, giving you direct access to the internal components for more thorough scrubbing and visual inspection. If you own the Choice model, disassembly before cleaning is expected and straightforward. The parts separate by hand and snap back together easily once dry.
This distinction matters because people sometimes try to pry open a DH or DM after reading general instructions meant for the Choice. Forcing a sealed model open risks cracking the housing or damaging the internal mechanism, which uses a counterweighted plug, a metal strip, and a magnet to generate the oscillating resistance that makes the device work.4PubMed Central. Non-Pharmaceutical Techniques for Obstructive Airway Clearance Focusing on the Role of Oscillating Positive Expiratory Pressure (OPEP): A Narrative Review Damaging that assembly means the device no longer delivers the right pressure profile. Check the label or packaging if you are unsure which model you have.
The Daily Cleaning Routine
After each use, or at minimum once a day if you use the device multiple times, follow these steps:
- Rinse promptly: Run warm water through the mouthpiece and out the other end for about 15 seconds. This flushes out mucus before it dries and sticks to the interior surfaces.
- Wash with mild soap: Fill a clean basin or bowl with warm water and add a few drops of liquid dish soap (fragrance-free is best). Submerge the device and gently swish it around for about a minute. For the Acapella Choice, separate the parts and wash each piece individually. For the DH or DM, let soapy water flow through the device by submerging and agitating it.
- Rinse thoroughly: Remove all soap residue by rinsing under clean running water. Soap left behind can irritate your airways and may leave a film that encourages biofilm formation.
- Shake out excess water: Give the device a few firm shakes to expel water trapped in the internal chambers.
- Air dry completely: Place the device on a clean towel or drying rack in an open area with good airflow. Do not seal it in a plastic bag or case while damp. Moisture left inside is exactly what bacteria need to multiply between sessions.
The most common mistake is treating daily cleaning as optional on days when you feel well or when the device looks clean. Biofilm, the slimy layer bacteria build on surfaces, is often invisible to the naked eye. The fact that your device does not look dirty does not mean it is sterile.
Weekly Disinfection
Once a week, step up from soap and water to a method that actually kills microbes. Several approaches work, and the best choice depends on what you have available and what the device manufacturer specifies. A review of sterilization options for oscillating positive expiratory pressure devices outlines the main methods:5PubMed Central. Ancillary treatment of patients with lung disease due to non-tuberculous mycobacteria: a narrative review
- Boiling water: Place the device on a colander or mesh strainer over a pot of boiling water for 10 minutes. This uses steam to disinfect. Some users place the device directly in the water, but the colander method reduces the risk of warping plastic components from direct contact with the bottom of the pot.
- Rubbing alcohol (70%): Submerge the device in 70% isopropyl alcohol for 10 minutes, then rinse with cooled, previously boiled water. Not tap water, since the point is to avoid reintroducing microbes immediately after disinfecting.
- Hydrogen peroxide (3%): Soak the device in standard 3% hydrogen peroxide (the concentration sold at most pharmacies) for 30 minutes, then rinse with sterile or boiled-and-cooled water.
- Microwave steam bags: These are sold specifically for sterilizing baby bottles and small medical devices. You add water, seal the bag, and microwave it for the time specified on the bag’s instructions. The steam reaches temperatures high enough to kill most bacteria.
- UV light or self-contained steam sterilizers: Standalone devices that use ultraviolet light or enclosed steam cycles can also be effective. These are a bigger upfront investment but require less hands-on effort.
After any of these methods, let the device air dry completely before reassembling (if you took it apart) or storing it. The drying step is not a suggestion you can skip when you are in a rush. Residual moisture after disinfection recreates the same environment you just worked to clean.
Why the Rinse Water Matters
A detail that catches people off guard is the water you use for rinsing after disinfection. Tap water is fine for the daily soap-and-water wash, but when you rinse after a disinfection step, using regular tap water can partially undo the work you just did. Municipal water contains low levels of bacteria and other microorganisms that are generally harmless for drinking but are not ideal for a device that will deliver air directly to your lungs.
Guidance on home respiratory devices emphasizes that using distilled water, or water that has been boiled and then cooled, reduces exposure to waterborne pathogens.6Emerging Infectious Diseases. (Mis)perception and Use of Unsterile Water in Home Medical Devices, PN View 360+ Survey, United States, August 2021 Infection-control guidelines for aerosol therapy devices similarly recommend a final rinse with sterile water.3PubMed. Device Cleaning and Infection Control in Aerosol Therapy This is especially important for people with cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, or compromised immune systems, where even low-grade bacterial exposure through a respiratory device can seed a serious infection. If you are an otherwise healthy person using the Acapella for postoperative recovery or occasional mucus clearance, the risk is lower, but using sterile water for the final rinse is still a low-effort precaution worth adopting.
Common Cleaning Mistakes
One of the most counterintuitive errors is overcleaning. Some users scrub their device aggressively with abrasive brushes or soak it in bleach solutions that are too concentrated, and over time this degrades the plastic housing and internal components. The Acapella’s resistance mechanism relies on precise distances between a magnet and a metal strip. If the housing warps or internal surfaces roughen from harsh chemicals, the device may not oscillate properly. Gentle handling during cleaning actually extends the device’s useful life more than vigorous scrubbing does.
Another common mistake is reassembling or storing the device before it is fully dry. People clean their Acapella at night, shake out the water, and toss it in a travel case or zippered pouch. By morning, whatever moisture remained has created a microenvironment that bacteria love. Leaving the device in open air, ideally in a spot with some airflow rather than a closed bathroom cabinet, makes a meaningful difference.
A third error is inconsistency. Cleaning thoroughly once a week but skipping daily rinses, or doing the daily rinse faithfully but never disinfecting, leaves gaps. The research on contamination of these devices shows that non-sterilization methods alone are not enough to eliminate pathogens.1Infection Prevention in Practice. Assessment of the microbial load of airway clearance devices used by a cohort of children with cystic fibrosis You need both tiers: daily washing to keep organic matter from building up, and weekly disinfection to kill what soap and water leave behind.
How Long an Acapella Device Lasts
There is no universal expiration date stamped on an Acapella device. How long it lasts depends more on how you handle and clean it than on how many therapy sessions you log. The mechanical parts inside are relatively simple, and with normal use the device does not “wear out” in a predictable timeframe the way a filter or a disposable component might.
That said, watch for signs that the device is no longer performing correctly. If the oscillation feels weaker or inconsistent even after adjusting the dial, if the housing develops visible cracks, or if you notice discoloration or a persistent odor that does not go away after thorough disinfection, it is time to replace it. Some clinics recommend replacing airway clearance devices every six to twelve months as a general guideline, but the actual need varies. A device that has been gently washed and carefully dried after every session can last well beyond that window, while one that gets tossed around in a gym bag and scrubbed with stiff-bristled brushes may degrade faster.
Researchers have explored disposable alternatives specifically because the cleaning burden is real. One team developing a single-use oscillating positive expiratory pressure device noted that the daily (or even more frequent) cleaning requirement of reusable devices places a large burden on patients and caregivers.7PubMed. Design and initial testing of a novel disposable oscillating positive expiratory pressure device Until disposable options become widely available, the cleaning routine described here is the practical reality of owning a reusable device.
Cleaning While Traveling
Maintaining a cleaning routine on the road takes some planning but is not complicated. The daily soap-and-water wash requires nothing you cannot find in a hotel room or a rest stop. A small travel-size bottle of fragrance-free dish soap and a gallon jug of distilled water (available at any grocery store or gas station) cover most of your needs.
The weekly disinfection step is trickier away from home. Hydrogen peroxide is easy to pack in a small bottle and does not require boiling water, making it the most travel-friendly disinfection method. You just need a container deep enough to submerge the device and 30 minutes of soak time. Microwave steam bags are another good option if your accommodation has a microwave. Boiling water, while effective, is harder to manage in a hotel.
The bigger challenge while traveling is the drying step. Hotel bathrooms are typically humid, which slows air drying. If possible, set the device near an open window or in front of the room’s air conditioning vent. Some people travel with a small mesh bag that lets them hang the device in a spot with better airflow rather than leaving it flat on a damp countertop. The goal is to get it fully dry before it goes back in your bag.
When Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria Are a Concern
For most Acapella users, the standard daily wash and weekly disinfection routine is sufficient. But people who have been diagnosed with non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease face a different risk profile. NTM organisms are environmental bacteria found in soil and water, and they are hardier than typical respiratory pathogens. They can survive in biofilm on device surfaces and in residual water droplets, making half-measures with cleaning especially dangerous for this group.
The review of cleaning protocols for NTM patients recommends the same disinfection methods listed above (boiling, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, steam), but with stricter consistency: weekly sterilization is not optional, and the final rinse should always use water that has been boiled and cooled or distilled, never straight from the tap.5PubMed Central. Ancillary treatment of patients with lung disease due to non-tuberculous mycobacteria: a narrative review Some clinicians recommend disinfecting more than once a week for NTM patients, depending on how frequently the device is used. If you have an NTM diagnosis, it is worth discussing a device-specific cleaning schedule with your pulmonologist rather than relying on general guidance.
This is also the population where the choice of device model starts to matter for practical hygiene reasons. The Acapella Choice, which disassembles fully, allows you to visually inspect internal surfaces and scrub areas that remain hidden in the sealed DH and DM models. For someone who needs to be especially rigorous about biofilm removal, that direct access is a genuine advantage. It does not make the sealed models unsafe, but it changes the confidence level you can have that every surface has actually been reached.
Building a Sustainable Routine
The evidence on contamination rates makes the case for cleaning clearly, but the practical reality is that these routines break down when they feel like too much work. The most effective approach is to tie cleaning to something you already do. If you use the Acapella after your morning breathing exercises, the daily wash can happen right alongside brushing your teeth. If you disinfect on the same day you do laundry or take out the recycling, the weekly step becomes part of an existing habit rather than an independent task to remember.
Focusing your daily effort on the parts that actually contact your mouth and the airflow path, rather than obsessively scrubbing the entire exterior, keeps the routine manageable without sacrificing the hygiene that matters most. The contact zones where saliva and mucus accumulate are where nearly all the microbial risk lives. The outside of the housing, while worth an occasional wipe, is not the priority. People who make the daily wash feel like a five-minute chore tend to stick with it longer than those who turn it into a fifteen-minute production.