Inhaler Care: How to Clean, Store, and Use Your Inhaler Right

When you rely on an inhaler, a handheld device that delivers medication directly to the lungs for conditions like asthma or COPD. Also known as a puffer, it’s one of the most important tools in managing breathing problems—but only if you take care of it. Many people don’t realize that a dirty or poorly stored inhaler can stop working properly, even if it still clicks when you press it. That’s not a myth. A 2021 study in the Journal of Asthma found that over 40% of asthma patients had clogged inhalers because they never cleaned them, leading to worse symptom control.

Inhaler care, the routine maintenance needed to keep your device functioning correctly isn’t complicated, but it’s often ignored. You need to clean the mouthpiece weekly with warm water and let it air-dry completely. No soap unless the manufacturer says so—some medications break down with detergent. Store it at room temperature, away from direct sunlight or freezing cold. Don’t keep it in the bathroom where humidity can warp the plastic or cause medicine to clump. And never shake it before use unless the instructions say to—some inhalers are designed to be used as-is.

There’s also a big difference between a asthma inhaler, a device used to deliver quick-relief or long-term control meds for airway inflammation and a COPD inhaler, a similar device often containing longer-acting bronchodilators for chronic lung disease. Some have built-in counters, others don’t. Some need priming after sitting unused for weeks. If you’re switching brands or types, always check the leaflet. What works for one won’t always work for another. Skipping this step is how people end up thinking their medicine stopped working—when it was really the device.

And don’t forget the spacer. If your doctor gave you one, use it. A spacer helps more medicine reach your lungs and less stick to your throat, reducing side effects like hoarseness or thrush. Clean the spacer monthly with soapy water and let it air-dry. No towel drying—that creates static and traps particles.

Every inhaler has an expiration date, but it’s not just about the medicine losing strength. The propellant can leak over time, especially if the canister gets dented or exposed to heat. If your inhaler feels lighter than usual, or you’re not getting the same relief, it might be time to replace it—even if it’s not technically expired.

What you’ll find below are real, tested guides from people who’ve been there: how to clean a Diskus, how to reset a Turbuhaler, what to do when your inhaler won’t spray, and how to tell if you’re wasting money on half-empty devices. These aren’t theory pieces. They’re step-by-step fixes from patients and pharmacists who’ve seen what happens when inhaler care is neglected—and what changes when it’s done right.