How to keep the spacer hygienically clean for the inhalation: Cleaning and care

Hygiene and regular cleaning are important considerations if you or your children use a spacer (holding chamber or inhalation chamber for sprays) during the inhalation. Paediatricians recommend that babies and children up to about the age of eight use an inhalation chamber. Adults with coordination problems or over a certain age may also benefit from inhaling with a spacer (again).

We show you step-by-step how to clean the spacer properly so as to avoid undesirable germs or contamination as much as possible. For optimum hygiene, you should not only clean the spacer regularly, but also disinfect it if necessary.

Now place the inhalation chamber, the removed mouthpiece, the mask, the operation aid and/or the adapter in lukewarm water with a little washing-up liquid. Clean the parts thoroughly and then rinse with clear water. You can also put the spacer in the dishwasher and clean on a cycle of at least 50 degrees Celsius.

Once a week you should disinfect the spacer parts with a steam steriliser. This prevents unwanted germs and the like from collecting in the inhalation aid. If you do not have a steam steriliser at home, you can disinfect the spacer in boiling water for five minutes.

Note: If using the VORTEX holding chamber for the first time for you or your child, please carefully read through the VORTEX® instructions for use (PDF).

You may also be interested in these topics:

• Everything about the VORTEX® holding chamber at a glance
• Spacer inhalation with children: Instructions & the suitable equipment
• Spacer for children: For successful inhalation with metered-dose inhalers or sprays
• Spacer inhalation with babies & toddlers: How it works