Making Your Nasal Cannula and Rubber Tubing Last Longer

Making Your Nasal Cannula and Rubber Tubing Last Longer

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A nasal cannula, the two soft rubber prongs that fit into your nose, and the rubber tubing they attach to, are two very simple but essential accessories you need for oxygen therapy. A standard cannula comes with each of our oxygen concentrators and is pretty cheap when you need to replace it, no more than $6.00 for a regular rubber tube with nasal prongs. These are cheap, but why not make sure it lasts as long as it can?

It’s also a good idea to order one longer before you know you will need to replace the one that you’re using now. It’s just quicker and more convenient to be able to switch it out, without having to order it and wait for it to come in the mail.

How often does the tubing need replaced when well taken care of?

This largely depends on how often you are using your oxygen concentrator. If you clean your tubing and cannula properly and you are using it all day every day, you can expect to need to replace it once a month. If you are using it for half the day, such as during the night, it will need to be replaced every 2 months. In these cases, the best thing to do would be to stock up on them, so you only need to place an order for your cannula supply once a year, or every 6 months.

How should I clean the rubber tubing?

There is one thing you absolutely have to do, or you risk getting sick from bacteria build-up in the nasal prongs – you have to wipe them down with an alcohol swab directly after each use. You shouldn’t use any other type of cleanser that is milder than alcohol since not many things kill bacteria as sufficiently as rubbing alcohol. Getting sick can be very dangerous for people with chronic lung conditions, so you have to be mindful of this.

You can clean the tubing and the nasal prongs by soaking them in warm water with a minimal amount of dish soap and regular white vinegar. Be sure to rinse it out thoroughly with hanging it to dry before using it again. White vinegar is great at killing bacteria, and it won’t slowly eat away at the rubber the way many types of chemical detergents will.

Don’t try to cut corners on replacing the rubber tubing, especially if you’ve been sick. You will need to replace them, or you risk the bacteria left over from your illness getting worse and getting you sick all over again. It’s always better safe than sorry when it comes to your health. The cost of a new nasal cannula is worth keeping you healthy.

Page last updated: November 26, 2018

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Scott joined American Medical Sales and Rentals in 2008 as a Web Manager and Content Writer. He is a writer and designer. He is extensively trained on oxygen therapy products from leading manufacturers such as Inogen, Respironics, Chart, Invacare, ResMed and more.

Scott works closely with respiratory therapists and oxygen specialists to educate the community about oxygen therapy products, COPD, asthma and lung diseases. He writes weekly columns and is passionate about educating the community on oxygen therapy and respiratory issues.

About Scott Ridl:

Scott joined American Medical Sales and Rentals in 2008 as a Web Manager and Content Writer. He is a writer and designer. He is extensively trained on oxygen therapy products from leading manufacturers such as Inogen, Respironics, Chart, Invacare, ResMed and more. Scott works closely with respiratory therapists and oxygen specialists to educate the community about oxygen therapy products, COPD, asthma and lung diseases. He writes weekly columns and is passionate about educating the community on oxygen therapy and respiratory issues.

36 thoughts on “Making Your Nasal Cannula and Rubber Tubing Last Longer

  1. I’m a dialysis patient, just finally figured out that I’m not getting enough oxygen. My primary physician is setting up oxygen approved supplier from my insurance . How many parts of tubes are there? And can bothe or how ever many there are can they all be cleaned? How many does a typical patient keep on hand? Do the tubes work on any machine? Interchangeable? Thanks

    • Thank you for your comment, Jim. A nasal cannula will work with any oxygen concentrator by attaching to the machine and resting gently in your nasal passages. Cannulas can easily be cleaned and are recommended to be swapped out every 2-6 months depending on your usage and medical condition. We generally suggest patients to have 3 months, or 3 cannulas, worth of supply on hand. They are fairly inexpensive and we are always here should you wish to buy one at a time or 10!

    • Great question, Jim. This all depends on your specific medical conditions and oxygen flow requirements. Feel free to give our Oxygen Specialists a call to determine if a mask or nasal cannula is right for you: 877-774-9271.

    • If your tubing is getting hard, it needs to be replaced. Tubing should be replaced often, especially if you’ve suffered from any ailments, such as the common cold. Feel free to give us a call at 877-774-9271 if you’d like to purchase additional tubing.

      • The hardening of oxygen cannula tubing is a common problem that can occur due to a number of factors, including exposure to heat, humidity, and certain chemicals. Here are some tips to help prevent the hardening of your cannula tubing:

        Store tubing properly: Store your cannula tubing in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat sources, or chemicals that may cause damage to the tubing.

        Clean tubing regularly: Regularly clean your tubing with mild soap and water, and rinse thoroughly to remove any soap residue. Do not use harsh chemicals or solvents to clean your tubing.

        Replace tubing regularly: Replace your cannula tubing on a regular basis as recommended by your healthcare provider or the manufacturer. Over time, the tubing may become brittle and prone to hardening and cracking.

        Use protective coverings: Consider using protective coverings or sleeves to help shield your tubing from direct sunlight, heat sources, or chemicals that may cause damage.

        It’s also a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider or the manufacturer of your cannula tubing for specific recommendations on how to prevent the hardening of your tubing.

      • It’s good to sanitize your cannula and nebulizer once a week. However, if you have cold symptoms, it’s recommended to clean them daily. We have sanitizing machine available on our website. Please give us a call at (877) 644-4581.

    • Thank you for your inquiry, Jay. What is currently the issue with your oxygen delivery? Do you feel you are not receiving enough oxygen? Changing from a cannula to a mask will provide you with the same amount of oxygen delivery.

  2. what causes my cannula to get hard? it hurts my nose after a few weeks. also is hard all the way to the chin. and the dealie which slides up to secure it gets very loose and so i have to constantly be rearranging it, even at night.
    i am a retired respiratory therapist, so you’d think i would know the answers but i don’t. amazing how different things are when you are on the receiving end!!!!!
    thanks,
    carole

    • It is recommended that you replace your cannula every couple of weeks. If you are using it 24/7 then it is just normal wear and tear. It could also be the type of cannula you are using as well as the climate that you live in.

  3. The area of my cannula where I slide the thing up under my chin is turning bright yellow. I have used 2 new ones, and same thing happens. Have you ever heard of this? I can’t figure out what is causing this. Thank you.

    • This could be a reaction with perfume, lotion, makeup or something that you are wearing. As long as it is working, I would not be concerned.

  4. What is the best way to clean/sanitize the very long green tubing? This hooks up with the cannula /tubing set. This thicker tubing attaches directly to the floor concentrator. Would soaking this green tubing in a very mild bleach soln work as long as it is completely rinsed and air dried?

    • Manufacturer suggests using mild dish detergent to clean the tubing. A “very mild” bleach solution should probably be okay. The extension tubing should be replaced every 3 months for the best results.

  5. Do you have different kinds of cannulers are all made of plastic can’t seem to find anything but plastic having trouble with infection in nose Thanks Ken.

      • I like the soft cannulas. They help me sleep comfortably at night. And her comfortable for me at work. How much do you charge and shipping?

        • We have soft nasal cannulas starting at $2.5 each. Shipping depends on where and how fast you need the order. Our Oxygen Specialist would be happy to help you out with your requirements. Please give us a call at (877) 644-4581.

  6. You people keeping wandering off of the problem. I too have a problem with the plastic tubing getting hard and uncomfortable, The original question was — is there a way to soften the hard plastic tubing and make it soft again?

    • We are not aware of any method to soften the tubing. However, the manufacturer recommends it be replaced every 14 days or sooner it is soiled or damaged.

      • Just did a search and found site saying that you should boil the tubing in a large pot for 5-10 mins., take it out with tongs and then lay it out straight on a long length of towels to dry. Roll the tubing up in the towels, making sure it is straight and not coiled. Allow to cool and dry.

    • Hi Pauline, there are a variety of plastic tubings available in the market and some are labeled as ‘soft’. As the name suggests, these are softer than the regular ones and many of our clients use these. Also, it is recommended by the manufacturer that the tubing be replaced every 14 days and it should not be used for more than 1 month. Learn more about Soft Tubing.

  7. Hi, Thank you for the information to the queries left by patients, I seem to be not alone with nasal irritations caused by the silicone used in the cannulas, and like someone else enquired, does the oxygen mask deliver the same volume of air as the cannula do?
    Thank you for your input.

    • Hi Barry,
      Oxygen masks cannot be used with portable pulse-dose oxygen concentrators since the concentrator will not be able to detect your breath and delivery oxygen at inspiration. Also, oxygen masks are not suitable for mobility. They work well in stationary conditions – while sitting or in bed. Nasal cannulas are well-suited for an active lifestyle as they don’t obstruct communication and eating. Nonetheless, oxygen masks are especially helpful for patients who breathe from the mouth while sleeping.
      So, if you are looking to use oxygen masks on continuous flow in a stationary condition, please consult with your doctor.

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