Cleaning your Acapella device takes about five minutes and should happen every day after use. Bacteria and mold thrive in the warm, moist environment inside the device, so skipping even a day or two can turn your airway clearance tool into a source of infection. The process is simple, but the steps differ slightly depending on which model you have.
Which Model Do You Have?
Acapella devices come in two main designs, and knowing which one you own determines how you take it apart for cleaning.
The Acapella DM (green) and DH (blue) are the older-style models. These do not fully disassemble. You can remove the mouthpiece from the body, giving you two pieces to wash. That’s as far as they come apart.
The Acapella Choice (also green) is the newer, clear-plastic model. It separates into four distinct parts: the mouthpiece, the body, the rocker assembly, and the end cap. This full disassembly makes it significantly easier to clean thoroughly, since you can reach every internal surface where mucus collects.
Daily Cleaning Steps
Start by washing your hands. This seems obvious, but handling a freshly cleaned device with unwashed hands defeats the purpose.
Disassemble the device as far as your model allows. For the DM or DH, pull the mouthpiece off the body. For the Choice, separate all four components. Then wash each piece with warm water and liquid dish detergent, the same kind you use on your kitchen dishes. No special cleaning solution is needed.
For the Acapella Choice, you can either hand-wash the parts or soak them in warm, soapy water for 15 to 20 minutes. Soaking is helpful if mucus has dried on any of the internal surfaces, since it softens residue that might otherwise be hard to scrub off. Rinse all parts thoroughly under clean running water after washing to remove any soap residue, which could irritate your airways during your next session.
What Not to Do
The cleaning rules differ between models in one important way: dishwasher use. The Acapella Choice can go on the top rack of a dishwasher, according to the manufacturer’s care guide from ICU Medical. The older DM (green) and DH (blue) models cannot. Mount Sinai’s respiratory care instructions specifically warn against placing the DM or DH in an automatic dishwasher.
For the DM and DH, also avoid boiling and bleach. Both can warp or damage the internal components. Stick to warm (not hot) soapy water for these models.
Drying the Device Properly
How you dry your Acapella matters as much as how you wash it. Trapped moisture is the main reason bacteria and mold grow inside respiratory devices, so thorough drying after every wash is essential.
After rinsing, shake off as much excess water as you can from each piece. Then set the parts out to air dry completely. Place each piece face-down or resting on its side so water drains out rather than pooling inside. A clean dish rack or a fresh paper towel works well as a drying surface. Avoid using cloth towels, which can leave behind lint and harbor their own bacteria.
Do not reassemble the device until every part is completely dry. Snapping a damp mouthpiece onto a damp body creates a sealed, moist environment, exactly the conditions that encourage microbial growth. Depending on your climate and airflow, drying usually takes a couple of hours. If you use the device twice daily, cleaning it after your last session of the day and letting it dry overnight is a practical routine.
Keeping a Consistent Schedule
Daily cleaning is the standard recommendation across all Acapella models. It’s tempting to skip a day when the device looks clean, but mucus residue and moisture aren’t always visible inside the body or valve mechanism. Biofilm, a thin layer of bacteria that clings to plastic surfaces, can form within 24 hours in a moist environment. Once established, biofilm is harder to remove with a simple soap-and-water wash.
Building cleaning into your routine right after your last therapy session of the day is the easiest way to stay consistent. The whole process, disassembly, wash, rinse, and setting out to dry, takes under five minutes. Store the fully dried, reassembled device in a clean, dry place away from the bathroom, where humidity from showers can reintroduce moisture.
When to Replace the Device
Even with daily cleaning, Acapella devices don’t last forever. Over time the internal valve mechanism can weaken, and the vibrations you feel during use may become less distinct. If the resistance feels noticeably different than when the device was new, or if you see cracks, discoloration, or a persistent odor that doesn’t go away after cleaning, it’s time for a replacement. Most respiratory equipment suppliers can ship a new one with a prescription, and many insurance plans cover the cost on a periodic basis.