How to Clean the Filter on an Oxygen Concentrator

Oxygen can be prescribed for home use by a physician. There are three different oxygen delivery systems suitable for home use–compressed oxygen tanks, oxygen concentrators and liquid oxygen tank. The oxygen concentrator system needs electricity to work. It makes oxygen by drawing air from the environment, then extracting the oxygen from it and storing this oxygen for delivery to an individual through a nasal cannula or oxygen mask. The air intake filter allows air to flow into the oxygen concentrator and needs to be cleaned regularly for the equipment to work properly.

Step 1

Turn off your oxygen concentrator and unplug it. Make sure there is no water around it and be sure to clean your air intake filter away from your concentrator. Locate and remove the filter from the concentrator and inspect it for dust. The intake filter should be cleaned at least once a week or as prescribed by your equipment supplier.

Step 2

Gather the materials you need to clean your filter. Create warm soapy water solution in a container or basin and wash your air intake filter in it. Rinse the soapy water off the intake filter with plain water. Shake water off your air intake filter and dry it with a towel. Leave the filter in a safe place to air dry.

Step 3

Inspect your washed air intake filter. It should be thoroughly dry and free of moisture or liquid. Reinserting a wet or moist filter may cause your oxygen concentrator to malfunction. Put the air intake filter back into your oxygen concentrator when it is completely dry.

Step 4

Do not use your oxygen concentrator without an air intake filter. If you have an extra one, put it in your oxygen concentrator while you clean the dirty one. Buy new intake filters when your old ones stop filtering properly. If you use your oxygen concentrator in a dusty area, you may need to buy new ones frequently.