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.
You should take apart MDIs and clean them 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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If you have an asthma inhaler, it’s easy to overlook a key step — keeping it clean. But cleaning your inhaler is important, especially when you consider that it’s something that comes in contact with your mouth regularly.
Here, we’ll answer common questions about keeping your inhaler clean, along with other tips for getting the most from your medication.
1. What’s the best way to clean your inhaler?
How you clean your asthma inhaler depends on the type of inhaler you have.
Cleaning a metered dose inhaler (MDI)
Metered dose inhalers (MDIs) contain liquid medication that’s propelled out of the inhaler as a spray. Examples include albuterol (Ventolin HFA) and fluticasone (Flovent HFA).
You can follow these steps to clean your MDI inhaler:
Remove the medication canister from the inhaler device and set it aside. Do not expose the medication canister to water.
Remove the mouthpiece cap.
Hold the now-empty cartridge end of the plastic device under running warm water for 30 seconds. Then turn it upside down and run warm water through the mouthpiece for 30 more seconds. Do not use soap — just running water.
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.
Shake off any excess water and let it air dry completely. Letting it dry overnight is best. Then replace the medication cartridge and cap.
Keep the dust cap on the mouthpiece at all times when not using your inhaler. This helps prevent dust and foreign objects from getting stuck inside the inhaler.
If you have more than one inhaler, clean them one at a time. This 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 details, or ask your pharmacist for help.
Cleaning a dry powder inhaler (DPI) or soft mist inhaler (SMI)
Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) contain dry powder inside a capsule or disk. Each time you use it, the inhaler pierces a dose of powder that you then inhale into your lungs. Examples include Advair (fluticasone / salmeterol) and Breo Ellipta (fluticasone / vilanterol).
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Soft mist inhalers (SMIs) release a cloud of mist that contains the medication, which you’ll then inhale. Examples include Combivent Respimat (ipratropium / albuterol) and Stiolto Respimat (tiotropium / olodaterol).
DPIs shouldn’t be exposed to water or other liquids. They could make the powder wet, which can prevent your inhaler from working properly. Also, unlike MDIs, you can’t take DPIs apart to clean them.
SMIs typically don’t clog the way MDIs can. So you don’t need to take them apart to clean them, either.
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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 swab the inhaler mouthpiece with a solution or wipe that contains at least 60% alcohol and let it air dry. This will help prevent the spread of your illness.
2. How do you clean your inhaler spacer or holding chamber?
You can put some spacers and holding chambers in the dishwasher to clean them. Just be sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions to be sure it’s OK first. 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.
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.
3. How often should you clean your inhaler?
You should clean all inhalers at least once a week if you use them every day. But if your MDI 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, such as a rescue inhaler. But cleaning after every 7 to 14 uses is a good general rule to follow.
4. What happens if you don’t clean your inhaler?
If you don’t clean your inhaler, medication residue and debris can build up over time — especially in MDIs. Regular cleaning helps prevent clogs to keep them working properly.
A blockage inside your inhaler can keep you from getting your full dose. This can be especially dangerous if a blockage builds up in your rescue inhaler.
It’s also important to keep in mind that your mouth is full of bacteria and other germs. So cleaning your inhaler mouthpiece helps stop mouth microbes from growing and spreading to the medication inside. It also helps keep you from inhaling these germs along with your medication, which can increase your risk of an infection.
5. When should you replace your inhaler?
There are three instances in which you should replace your inhaler:
Your inhaler isn’t working the way it should.
You’re almost out of medication.
Your inhaler has expired.
Let’s look closer at each of these scenarios.
When your inhaler isn’t spraying properly
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 DPIs, a clog is more complicated. It’s not something you can usually resolve on your own. Be sure to store DPIs in a cool, dry place to prevent clogs. If you store them in a humid area, such as in a bathroom, moisture in the air can cause the powder to clump and clog your inhaler.
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 doses 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 doses you’ve used can help you replace it on time to make sure you have medication when you need it. It can also come in handy if your inhaler’s dose counter stops working properly.
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 inhalers 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. You should also take apart metered dose inhalers (MDIs) and clean them with water once a week.
You should clean spacers and holding chambers with soap and water once a week. Some can even be placed in the dishwasher.
Taking good care of your inhaler, including regular cleaning, is an important step for safely managing your asthma symptoms.
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References
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American Thoracic Society. (2020). Using your metered dose inhaler (MDI). American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. (2022). How do I clean my inhaler, especially after getting sick?
Boston Children’s Hospital. (2019). How to clean an inhaler and spacer.
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.
Komalla, V., et al. (2023). Advances in soft mist inhalers. Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery.
Medicines for Children. (2023). Asthma article 5: Make sure you’re not running on empty!
MedlinePlus. (2024). How to use an inhaler – with spacer.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2021). How to use a dry powder inhaler. National Institutes of Health.
Newman, S. P. (2005). Principles of metered-dose inhaler design. Respiratory Care.
NIH News in Health. (2019). Mouth microbes: The helpful and the harmful. National Institutes of Health.
Schürmann, D., et al. (2023). Uncapped metered-dose inhalers: A risk for foreign body aspiration. A case report and review of the literature. International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
