Clean the parts that touch your medicine and your face after every session, using the steps in the manual for your exact nebulizer. Public health handouts share an outline of washing and air drying after each use plus a weekly soak or disinfecting step, but manufacturers differ on soap, water, disinfection and what to avoid, so the manual for your model decides. Below is what NHLBI, MedlinePlus and three device makers say, and where Mayluck owners should look.
Why cleaning matters
MedlinePlus, from the U.S. National Library of Medicine, says to clean your nebulizer to prevent bacteria from growing in it, because bacteria can cause a lung infection. MedlinePlus: How to use a nebulizer
OMRON’s manual for its NE-U100 mesh nebulizer warns that poor cleaning risks bacterial growth, serious illness from contamination and compromised medication delivery. OMRON NE-U100 instruction manual
A 2024 expert guidance paper in the journal CHEST, on home nebulizer use during respiratory infections, says to strictly adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting the device. Biney et al., CHEST, 2024
What public health sources say
Public handouts describe a similar routine, written around nebulizers with a compressor and tubing (see mesh vs compressor nebulizers). Treat them as an outline for a mesh device.
- After each useNHLBI says to wash the cup and mouthpiece or mask with warm water and mild soap, rinse well and air dry the parts on a paper towel. MedlinePlus says to wash them with warm running water and air dry them on clean paper towels.
- Once a weekNHLBI says to disinfect the parts, following the instructions that come with your device. MedlinePlus says you may add a soak of one part distilled white vinegar to two parts warm water once or twice a week. The American Lung Association describes a 30-minute vinegar soak, or whatever your device’s maker recommends.
- Between usesNHLBI says to store parts in a dry, clean plastic bag. MedlinePlus says to take the machine apart and store it in a covered area.
Sources: NHLBI: How to Use a Nebulizer (October 2021); MedlinePlus; American Lung Association: How to Use a Nebulizer.
What three device makers say
Here is how three makers describe cleaning for their own devices, in documents available in October 2026. OMRON and Philips call theirs mesh nebulizers; PARI describes a vibrating membrane with very small holes. Each column applies to that device only.
| Topic | OMRON NE-U100 | Philips InnoSpire Go | PARI eRapid |
|---|---|---|---|
| After each use | Nebulize distilled water for 1 to 2 minutes, then wash parts in distilled water with mild (neutral) detergent and rinse with distilled water | Remove the mouthpiece and rinse it in warm water; wash it in warm soapy water at the end of each day | Rinse under warm running tap water, soak in warm soapy water for 5 minutes, rinse again |
| Disinfection | No disinfection step listed in the manual | Once a week in boiling water (10 minutes, per Philips’ customer FAQ) | Daily or as your physician recommends: boil in distilled water for 5 minutes, or soak in Control III disinfectant for 10 minutes |
| Ruled out | Household bleach; touching the mesh; strong running water | Dishwasher; vinegar-and-water solution | Aerosol head: dishwasher, microwave, brushes, abrasives, white or antibacterial dish soap |
| Drying | Air dry only, with no drying equipment | Click the mouthpiece back onto the base once it is dry | Air dry on a clean, lint-free cloth or paper towel, then bag or cover |
| Part life listed | 1 year for mesh cap, container, mouthpiece, mask and mask adapter, based on two 10-minute uses a day | Replace the mouthpiece assembly every 12 months | Handset should last 2 to 6 months, depending on use and upkeep |
Sources: OMRON NE-U100 manual (3608884-7D); Philips InnoSpire Go page and Philips customer FAQ (French edition on philips.com; English 2017 copy hosted by a distributor); PARI eRapid instructions for use (Rev E, 01/20). Editions packed with new devices may differ.
Philips rules out a vinegar soak that MedlinePlus lists as an option, and PARI warns that methods outside its document may not clean properly or may damage the handset. So the manual for your exact model comes first.
Cleaning a Mayluck device
We do not give a cleaning recipe for Mayluck devices. The steps for your model are in the instructions supplied with it; the MY135 and MY139 kits list a user manual. If you cannot find yours, identify your Mayluck model, then try Find your instructions and the cleaning guide on Mayluck Care.
79 written reviews on our TikTok Shop listing match the keyword “clean” (review breakdown), and at least one describes output slowing despite cleaning. If that happens, see why a portable nebulizer stops working and contact support rather than trying stronger methods.
What not to do with a mesh nebulizer
- Do not poke, scrub or brush the mesh. OMRON says not to touch the NE-U100 mesh with a hand or any object, and PARI says never to use a brush or other object on the eRapid aerosol head. Mayluck Care says not to poke the outlet or mesh.
- Do not borrow another brand’s routine. The table shows how one maker’s step is another maker’s no. Mayluck Care gives the same advice.
- Keep the electronics out of the water. OMRON says not to immerse the NE-U100 main unit, apart from the vibrating element and its surroundings. Philips says to wipe the InnoSpire Go handset with a damp cloth only. PARI says not to wash the eRapid controller, cord or power supply.
- Do not charge or restart a wet or damaged Mayluck device. Do not open its housing or shake it while it runs.
Drying and storage
NHLBI and MedlinePlus say to air dry parts on a paper towel. OMRON says to air dry only and not to store the NE-U100 in humid places such as a bathroom. PARI says to let eRapid parts dry completely, then bag or cover them and reassemble just before treatment. For Mayluck devices, dry and store parts as your manual directs, and see care and storage.
When to replace masks and mouthpieces
NHLBI says to replace the cup, mouthpiece, mask and other parts as the instructions state, or when they look worn or damaged. Makers set their own intervals, as the table shows.
For Mayluck masks and mouthpieces, follow your manual and replace any that look worn or damaged. Mayluck masks and mouthpieces fit all Mayluck nebulizer models. See buying nebulizer replacement parts and masks and mouthpieces on Mayluck Care.
Quick answers
How often should I clean my nebulizer?
After every use, according to NHLBI, MedlinePlus and the three makers above. Disinfection is where schedules split: weekly for NHLBI and the Philips InnoSpire Go, daily or as a physician recommends for the PARI eRapid, none listed in the OMRON NE-U100 manual. Your model’s manual sets yours.
Can I use vinegar, boiling water or the dishwasher?
Only if your manual says so. MedlinePlus and the American Lung Association mention vinegar soaks, and the Lung Association also mentions the dishwasher; Philips says no to both for the InnoSpire Go. Boiling is part of Philips’ weekly routine and one PARI option, but OMRON’s manual lists none of these. For a Mayluck device, follow the instructions supplied with your model.
Is soap okay for a mesh nebulizer?
It depends on the device. NHLBI says mild soap, OMRON mild (neutral) detergent for the NE-U100, and PARI clear liquid dish soap for the eRapid, never white or antibacterial, and never applied straight to the aerosol head.
Why is the mist weaker after cleaning?
Residue is one possible cause: PARI notes that leftover medicine can clog the small holes of its aerosol head. Other causes are possible, so check our troubleshooting guide and contact support if the problem continues.
