How Do I Clean My Air Purifier, and When Do I Replace the Filter?
If you own an air purifier that uses an air cleaning filter as part of its cleaning process, you will no doubt need a replacement at some point. Most manufacturers will tell you to replace it within a certain time frame in their operating manual. However the actual time when it needs replacing may vary widely, depending on just how dirty the air in your house actually is, and how often you need it. A visual inspection of the filter can help to show if it’s really in need of changing. Make sure when buying an air purifier that you can access the replaceable parts without having to deal with a Japanese puzzle box!
While filterless systems eliminate this particular problem, there will, nevertheless be some maintenance involved. Ionic air purifiers employ electrically charged collection plates which require occasional wiping down in order to maintain their effectiveness. If you have an air purifier with a UV element, you may need to clean the light to allow it to sterilize the surrounding air properly.
It’s not just the working parts that need cleaning, however. Don’t neglect dust that gathers on the inside of your air purifier that can transfer to the filters and elements. Needless to say, you don’t want to use harsh cleaners on your air purifier. A damp cloth should be all that’s necessary in normal circumstances. For hard to reach sections, use a vacuum cleaner or compressed air to force the dust out.
Making the maintenance of your air purifier a matter of routine, along with your other household cleaning tasks is the best way to ensure the effective operation of your unit. Just remember that it’s much easier to clean an air filter than it is to clean your lungs!
A clean air filter helps to maintain your home.
November 5th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Air purifiers are excellent devices because they essentially eliminate Dust, pollen, pet dander, mold spores, and dust mite feces and many other ailments that trigger allergies in people. For this reason alone I feel that everyone should have one in their house…for the health benefits alone.