Mitey-Fresh- How-to-clean-air-purifier

How To Clean An Air Purifier

Your air purifier does a great job of cleaning the air in your home or office, where you sleep and work, but periodically they need a good cleaning themselves.How to Clean Air Purifier ImageThis regular maintenance is essential if you want your air purifier to stay in great shape and do its job. You don’t want to breathe in polluted air now do you? I didn’t think so. That’s why it is important for you to clean an air purifier on a regular basis the right way. For new air purifier owners, learning to do it the first time is the most challenging part of quality indoor air ownership.

Let’s take a look at how you clean and maintain your air purifier properly so we can help take some of the guesswork out of your clean air maintenance.

What Are HEPA Filters?

While many of you who already own an air purifier are very familiar with this type of filter, new air purifier owners or those of you considering a new air purifier may not. Basically, a HEPA air filter is a filter that traps air contaminants in a complex web of fibres. The fibres and positioning are what does the heavy trapping of air filtration in these systems.

A HEPA filter is actually the most efficient type of air filter available. It is able to trap particles as small as 0.3 microns. That is well below the smallest size that the human eye can even see. How’s that for cleaning?

When Is It Cleaning Time?

Clean an Air FilterLike any filter, a HEPA filter will need to be replaced. Over time, the HEPA will trap dust and other contaminants from your space just as they are supposed to do. If they become too clogged, they can’t do their job, actually they spit contaminants back out into your home!In addition to knowing how to do it, you need to know when to do it. In most cases, you will need to perform regular checking and replacement of the HEPA. On top of that, you will also need to remove and completely replace any other filters, pre and carbon.

Here is when you should do it:

-Check and replace your HEPA when the manufacturer stipulates in your manual, usually 3 to 6 months in budget units, 12-24 months in efficient units and up to 36 months in most desirable units.

-Clean and replace your pre filter once a month if your room is located in a polluted suburb or getting regular use through dusty, particle related activities in the contaminated space.

How To Clean A HEPA Air Filter

Now, let’s take a few minutes to look at the main cleaning methods you will be using to keep your HEPA filter clean and ready to do its job.

First, we will look at the simple cleaning procedure of cleaning and replacing the pre-filter. This will be the most frequent type of cleaning you give your air purifier, but it is also the easiest to do and requires very few tools to get it done. All you will really need is replacement HEPA and carbon to add to the air purifier once you complete the cleaning process.

1. Turn off the motor.

2. Unplug the power cord from the power point.

3. Look for clips that are set to hold housing and un-clip.

4. Pull up the purifier housing carefully and place it on a flat surface that is free of anything sharp or pointed that could damage the housing. As you do this, watch the inside for any dis-lodgments in the housing and be prepared to catch it fast if necessary.

5. Take note of exactly how the housing is installed and how the filters are mounted so you can replace them the same way when you are finished.

Dirty Air Filter6. Unwrap pre-filter and place on a flat surface. The filter may look grey and ‘dirty’ it will need to be replaced.

7. While the pre-filter will do a good job keeping your air purifier clean, at least every 3 months and sometimes every month you should remove the pre-filter, inspect it and give it a thorough manual cleaning, at least nearing its use by date.

8. Remove HEPA filter up over the top of carbon filter. Inspect the filter for fine, dis-coloured dust and look for any damage to the filter. If you notice damage, it could be time to replace the filter.

9. Remove carbon filter and check thoroughly being careful not to tear any part of the filter. If you notice odours, it could be time to replace the filter.

10. With a microfiber cloth, clean the top and bottom of the assembly and clean out the filter housing and vents.

11. Reassemble the filters and ensure they are positioned within locators.

12. Replace the filter housing top.

13. Plug in and switch the air purifier on and verify it is working.

14. Check your manufacturer’s documentation to find out when you will need your next filter replacement.

tips:

The Best Dehumidifier Tips

When it comes to drying the air in your space, the best and most efficient tool in your strategy is to repair water sources, dry spills, remove damaged materials and open windows, doors, blinds and ventilate, ventilate, ventilate!

While this method is clearly much more involved and more difficult than other options, it is still important that you perform this task at least once every 3 months to ensure your air purifier remains fresh.

Your air purifier is one of the most important ingredients of your home or office filtration system. At the end of the day, you want to make sure your air is clean. An air purifier does a great job at that, but only if you do your part as well. By regularly cleaning and replacing your HEPA and by performing a deep clean of the air purifier at least three or four times a year, you can keep your air purifier in great shape so it can do its job.

Towards healthier living Tony Parr 🙂

As Principal Consultant to Mitey Fresh since 1996, we have acquired knowledge of adverse health effects and recommend effective strategies to reduce occupants’ exposure by eliminating and controlling as many sources of pollutants in order to create healthy indoor living environments that are as exposure-free and natural as practically possible.

We cut out all the fluff and confusion of indoor air maintenance and stripped it down to the bare bones.

Author

  • Carol Parr

    We’re glad you’re here. We’re Carol and Tony, founders of one of the longest running Healthy Home Blogs in the world, Mitey Fresh Australia. We’ve been on this journey for the last 25 years and are passionate about helping families sift through health hazards and triggers like allergens, mould, water damage, chemicals and EMFs, to get clarity about what’s toxic and what’s not so they can create a healthy and happy home for their family they love. Each month, people visit this blog seeking focus on the health and wellbeing of their loved ones, sustainable and effective practice tips and guides, to help create and manage healthier indoor spaces, improve the built environment that is pleasing to the senses and support healthy living and nature, every day. Starting this blog was to help change people’s lives, one family at a time, and we can’t wait to share how its allowed us to stand next to you and show you how interpreting these synergies between buildings and the environment they are built in will impact upon the health and well-being of those who occupy them. Find out more about Healthy Homes and what this blog can do for you!

2 thoughts on “How To Clean An Air Purifier”

    1. Thank you Zeby for popping in and leaving feedback. As moms we intuitively nuture our families, and a little extra info, inspires us to ensure our children’s future is healthy.

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