Did you know that indoor air pollution causes more than a million deaths each year?
Although it’s hard to believe, the pollution outside your home makes it way inside quite easily.
However, thanks to technology, we have air filters and air purifiers to combat it.
Air filters come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Their mechanism is simple; they suck out the air inside your room and pass it through a series of filters and throw out clean air for you.
Needless to stay, your air filter does a lot for you daily, and as machines go, they disintegrate over time.
Don’t worry, if you treat your air filter well with regular cleaning and maintenance, it will most likely last you long term.
Here are five ways you can clean your air filter at home.
- Washing
This is the primary way to clean out your air filter and remove all the impurities and allergens stuck on its internal and external parts.
Soak a soft towel in some warm soapy water and wipe off all the grime and dust on your filter.
If your filter is filthy from the inside, you should use hot, almost boiling water with a strong detergent or soap.
This is effective in getting all sorts of impurities and grease off the machine so that it works flawlessly.
However, some permanent filters may not be compatible with conventional washing techniques.
Make sure you check the brand’s cleaning recommendations for your model before you begin.
More about permanent air filters and how to choose the best air purifier with them read on Homeairadvisor.com.
- Vacuuming
Vacuuming is perhaps the most common technique used to clean air filters.
If your brand restricts you from exposing parts of your air filter to water, or wash it all together, vacuuming is the most effective technique for you.
Most of the dust and grime accumulated in the filter frames inside your air filter.
What you have to do is take frames out and suck out the dust using a vacuum cleaner.
This might not get the parts squeaky clean like water and soap but will remove all the particles that hinder the machine’s operation.
- Brushing
Furthermore, some air filtered is not designed for washing or vacuuming.
Don’t worry, you can still clean them, but it will require a little more effort.
You can clean out all the dust and buildup manually, using a brush.
To clean your air filter thoroughly, you should go for a hard brush with firm bristles.
This way, you won’t have to be concerned about the bristles getting stuck to your filter system.
Besides that, you’ll have to be careful while cleaning your filter with a brush.
Take your time and apply mild strokes to avoid damaging the internal parts in any way.
Be careful not to rub too rigorously as that may lead to rupture or breakage.
- Exposing to Sunlight
For some permanent air filters, sunlight does the job.
You see, in the case of carbon filters, they do not take in any dust particles or impurities.
On the contrary, the suck in odor and toxins to increase the air quality inside your home.
This toxic buildup can be easily treated by sunlight.
Just take out the internal filters and place them in an open place.
This can be outside your window, on your roof, or outside in your backyard.
Sunlight works to kill bacteria, mold, and mildew that cause bad odor.
Besides that, it also works against the most toxic substances found in the air, sucked up by the carbon filters.
Laying the screens out in direct sunlight for two to three hours will do the job.
- Replacing Internal Filters
While permanent air filters usually last you long if you maintain them properly, they might not remain fully effective after one or two years.
You can try professional cleaning as well, but if it has been a long time since you’re using your air filter, even that may not restore its original productivity.
At this phase, rather than cleaning them by washing, vacuuming, or brushing, you should go for complete replacement.
You should get your HEPA filters replaced every six months or every year, depending on your usage.
This way, your system will remain fully productive and last you long-term.
Final Words
Wrapping this up, cleaning your air filters is integral to your indoor air quality.
An air filter needs cleaning every month or once every two months if used regularly.
If you don’t pay heed to this, your air filter may eventually become useless, and this may ultimately affect your health.
Most cleaning techniques are easy and require no expensive materials for you to use.
You can use the materials you have available for your daily cleaning chores on your air purifier.
Anything you do, make sure your permanent air filter system is compatible with your cleaning technique.
Otherwise, you might end up permanently damaging the machine. Happy cleaning.