The past few years have made us value the importance having a comfortable and safe home where everything is sealed and protected from outdoor pollutants. Or is it? It turns out indoor air isn’t necessarily cleaner than outdoor air. There are a lot of particles and toxins in our homes, affecting our health and causing symptoms and conditions. Because of this, air purifiers have become a must-have in most households. Once you have an air purifier, you must take proper care of it to keep it working for years to come. Here, we’ll discuss cleaning air purifier parts and tips to maintain it.
Why It’s Important to Clean Your Air Purifier
All air purifiers are made up of four components: a filter, motor, fan, and housing. Air purifiers circulate the air by pulling it from their surroundings, passing it through a filter that traps unwanted particles such as dust, animal dander, irritants and allergens. For your air purifier to be at its most efficient, it needs to move enough air and have high-quality filters.
Although your air gets cleaner while it’s doing its job, the filter inside gets dirtier. In time, the filter loses its efficiency and the ability to purify the air. If you neglect filter cleaning long enough, the large particles clog up the filter, and your air purifier becomes an air polluter instead. Dirty filters can result in smelly air, more dust, and may even worsen your allergy symptoms.
Best Methods for Cleaning Air Purifier Filters
Air filters trap particles in the air that we don’t want to breathe in. If the filter gets clogged, it can’t do its job correctly, and we end up with pollutants back in the air. With so many different air purifiers on the market, knowing which one will suit your needs is essential. One consideration to take into account is the way the filter is cleaned or changed. Depending on your needs, this can end up saving you time and money.
There are air purifiers that come with single-use filters, and there are those that you can wash or replace. Here, we will explain how to maintain your air purifier, regardless of the filter type.
Step by Step to Cleaning Air Purifier
Before attempting to clean your filter, make sure you consult the user manual. If you can’t find your manual, look for more information online. If your air purifier has a HEPA filter (all the best ones do), you don’t want to play guessing games when cleaning it. HEPA filters are delicate, and you want to do what’s recommended rather than experiment. If you’re unsure whether your filter is washable, act like it isn’t and replace it.
Here are some steps that can help everything go more smoothly:
Know Your Purifier
It’s good to know whether your filters are single-use or if you can wash them. Most devices will indicate when you need to change the filter, which is when you want to remove it, clean it, or throw it away. If this is the case, always be prepared and have new filters at home.
If your purifier doesn’t have an alert feature to let you know when to change the filter, it’s always a good idea to clean it or vacuum it every few months or so.
Unplug Your Air Purifier
Make sure you unplug your purifier before moving on to the cleaning process.
Clean the Vents
If you use your air purifier daily, it’s normal to expect buildup on the vents. Gently clean these parts with a damp cloth or a soft brush. If it’s extra dirty, you can wash them with a little bit of lukewarm water and soap.
Access the Filter
To access the filter, you will probably need to remove the front grill or unlock the bottom of the device. Now is an excellent time to read the user manual in order to make sure you’re doing everything right.
If your filter needs replacing, swap it for a new filter. If it requires cleaning, consult the manual for best results. Usually, it’s ok to wash the whole filter and rinse it with cold water until no dirt is coming out. However, don’t use any cleaning products. Most importantly, leave the filter out to air dry. If you skip this part, you may end up with mold inside your air filter, which would defeat the whole purpose of cleaning.
Clean the Exterior
While the device is still unplugged, wipe it with a damp or dry cloth, depending on its surface material.
What’s the Best Air Purifier?
If you’re in the market for a new air purifier, you’ve come to the right place.
Our most-recommended model is the VEVA 8000 air purifier. This model has premium filtration with an activated carbon pre-filter for catching odors. The tower design is stylish, and you can place it anywhere in the room. With three speeds, you can adapt it to your needs, and it’s quiet enough that it won’t disturb your activities or sleep. We love that this model comes with three replacement carbon pre-filters, which will ultimately save you time and money in the long run.
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Cleaning your air purifier is as crucial as cleaning your air. Yes, it can easily slip your mind, but don’t wait for bad smells or allergy symptoms to arise before you clean your filter. If the device doesn’t remind you, schedule the cleaning every few months, depending on your model. By cleaning your filters regularly, your indoor air quality will remain in good shape.