Cleaning Your Asthma Inhaler: Answers to 5 Common Questions
Key takeaways:
There are three main types of asthma inhalers: metered dose inhalers (MDIs), dry powder inhalers (DPIs), and soft mist inhalers (SMIs). How you clean your inhaler will depend on what type of device you have.
MDIs should be taken apart and cleaned with water once a week. DPIs and SMIs can’t be cleaned this way. But you should still wipe the mouthpiece of these inhalers with a damp or dry cloth once a week to keep them clean.
Be sure to clean spacers and holding chambers along with your inhaler. It’s OK to put some spacers in the dishwasher. But check the manufacturer recommendations before you do.
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Table of contents
If you have an asthma inhaler, you may wonder whether or not you should clean it. Keeping your inhaler clean is a good idea — especially when it’s something you put your mouth on. But not every inhaler can be cleaned the same way.
Learn more about the best way to keep each type of inhaler clean and other tips for getting the most from your inhaler.
1. Should you clean your asthma inhaler?
Yes. But how you clean it depends on the type of inhaler you have:
Metered dose inhalers (MDI): MDIs contain liquid medication that’s propelled out of the inhaler as a spray. Examples include albuterol (ProAir HFA, Ventolin HFA) and fluticasone (Flovent HFA).
Dry powder inhalers (DPI): DPIs contain dry powder inside a capsule or disk. Each time you use it, the inhaler pierces a dose of powder that you inhale into your lungs. Examples include Advair (fluticasone / salmeterol) and Breo Ellipta (fluticasone / vilanterol).
Soft mist inhalers (SMI): SMIs release a cloud of mist you’ll inhale that contains the medication. Examples include ipratropium/albuterol (Combivent Respimat) and tiotropium/olodaterol (Stiolto Respimat).
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What happens if you don’t clean your inhaler?
MDIs can accumulate medication residue and debris over time. Regular cleaning helps prevent clogs to keep them working properly. If you don't clean an MDI regularly, it may lead to a blockage inside the inhaler. That can keep you from getting your full dose — which can be dangerous if it’s a rescue inhaler.
Also, your mouth is full of bacteria and other germs. Cleaning your inhaler mouthpiece helps stop mouth microbes from growing and spreading to the medication inside. Inhaling these germs along with your medication can increase your risk of an infection.
2. What’s the best way to clean your inhaler?
To clean your MDI inhaler, first remove the medication cartridge from the inhaler device and set it aside. Do not expose the medication canister to water. Then remove the cap. Run the plastic device under running warm water for 30 seconds. Turn it upside down and run warm water through the mouthpiece for 30 more seconds. Look through the device to be sure there’s no buildup left in it. If needed, you can use a toothpick to carefully scrape off any hard residue. After that, shake it off and let it air dry completely, usually overnight. Then replace the cartridge and cap.
If you have more than one inhaler, clean just one of them at a time. That will help you avoid mixing up canisters and devices. Keep in mind that there may be slight differences in cleaning instructions for each type of MDI. Read the manufacturer’s instructions — usually included with your inhaler — for detailed cleaning instructions, or ask your pharmacist for help.
DPIs shouldn’t be exposed to water or other liquids. They could make the powder wet — and your inhaler won’t work properly. DPIs also can’t be taken apart and cleaned the same way as MDIs. SMIs don’t seem to clog the way MDIs can. So they don’t need to be taken apart and cleaned, either.
To clean a DPI or SMI, use a dry or damp (not wet) cloth to wipe the mouthpiece. Let it air dry before using it again. Don’t use water or soap on these types of inhalers. If you’ve been sick, carefully wipe the inhaler mouthpiece with an alcohol wipe and let it air dry. This will help prevent the spread of your illness.
3. Can you put spacers and holding chambers in the dishwasher?
Sometimes. Not all spacers can be put in the dishwasher because it may damage them. Check if the manufacturer’s instructions say it’s OK. If so, it’s best to put spacers on the top rack of the dishwasher. Avoid washing them along with very dirty dishes. And in most cases, they shouldn’t go through a dry cycle, either.
Even if you can’t put them in the dishwasher, keeping your spacer or holding chamber clean is still important for your health. Most of the time, you can clean them using warm water and dishwashing soap. Soak the chamber in the water and soap mixture for about 15 minutes. Then rinse well and air dry.
Be sure to remove the inhaler device from the spacer before cleaning it. And it’s best to check the instructions for your particular spacer or holding chamber before cleaning. This will help make sure you’re cleaning it the right way.
4. How often should you clean your inhaler?
All inhalers should be cleaned at least once a week if you use them every day. But if your MDI still tends to clog, you may need to clean it more often.
There aren’t clear guidelines for how often to clean inhalers you don’t use regularly, like a rescue inhaler. But cleaning after every 7 to 14 uses is a good general rule to follow.
5. When should you replace your inhaler?
There are three reasons you should replace your inhaler. The first is if your inhaler isn’t working the way it should. The second is when you’re almost out of medication. The third is if your inhaler has expired. Let’s look closer at each one.
When there’s a problem with your inhaler
If your inhaler isn’t working, it could be clogged.
If you’re using an MDI, look inside the mouthpiece to check for any residue. Follow the cleaning directions to see if you can remove the clog. If you’ve recently cleaned your MDI, try removing and reinserting the medication canister — you may not have inserted it properly after cleaning.
For dry powder inhalers, a clog is more complicated. It’s not something you can usually resolve on your own. Be sure to store dry powder inhalers in a cool, dry place to prevent clogs. If you store them somewhere like a bathroom, moisture in the air can cause the powder to clog.
If you think there’s a problem with your inhaler, talk to your pharmacist. They can help troubleshoot the problem for you. They may also be able to refill your medication or work with the manufacturer to replace it.
When your inhaler is running low
It’s best to refill your inhaler before you run out of medication. Many inhalers have a built-in counter to let you know how many puffs you have left. Often, the counter will turn red when it’s time to get a refill. There are also devices you can connect to your inhaler to help keep track of your doses.
If your inhaler doesn’t have a built-in counter, it’s still important to keep track of your doses. It can be hard to tell when your inhaler is out of medication. So tracking how many puffs you’ve used can help make sure you have medication when you need it.
If your inhaler has expired
Be sure to check the expiration date on your inhalers at least once a month. This is especially true for any inhaler that you only use once in a while. An expired inhaler may not work properly when you need it. So it’s best to replace your inhaler with a new one when the expiration date is near. And be sure to discard the expired inhaler, too. You shouldn’t hang on to it “just in case.”
The bottom line
Keeping your inhaler clean is an essential step to ensure you get the most out of it. Wipe the mouthpiece of your inhaler at least once a week. MDIs should be taken apart and cleaned with water once weekly as well. Spacers and holding chambers should be cleaned with soap and water. Some can even be placed in the dishwasher. Taking good care of your inhaler is an important step towards managing your asthma symptoms.
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References
Allergy & Asthma Network. (n.d.). How to clean your asthma spacer.
American Thoracic Society. (2020). Using your metered dose inhaler (MDI). American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Boston Children’s Hospital. (2019). How to clean an inhaler and spacer.
ConsumerMedSafety.org. (n.d.). Is your asthma inhaler running on empty?
James, J. M. (2022). How do I clean my inhaler, especially after getting sick? Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
Janson, C., et al. (2016). Difference in resistance to humidity between commonly used dry powder inhalers: An in vitro study. NPJ Primary Care Respiratory Medicine.
MedlinePlus. (2022). How to use an inhaler – with spacer.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2021). How to use a dry powder inhaler.
NIH News in Health. (2019). Mouth microbes: The helpful and the harmful. National Institutes of Health.
