How Air Purifiers Help Reduce Allergens and Dust Indoors
Just because you sneeze when you walk through your front door doesn’t mean you’re sick. Millions of Americans struggle with indoor allergies. Dust, pet dander, pollen and mold spores are in the air we breathe inside our homes. The solution? Consider an air purifier. These small appliances quietly keep running in the background and improve […]
Just because you sneeze when you walk through your front door doesn’t mean you’re sick. Millions of Americans struggle with indoor allergies. Dust, pet dander, pollen and mold spores are in the air we breathe inside our homes. The solution?
Consider an air purifier. These small appliances quietly keep running in the background and improve your breathing without drastic changes to your lifestyle.
Air Purifier Basics
Air purifiers pull air into the device, filter out unwanted particles, then release cleaner air back into the room. Most models are tabletop or floor stand units that run 24/7. Some purifiers are designed to cover one room, while larger air purifiers are made for open floor plans.
Filters are the heart of most air purifiers. NHS noted that not all air purifiers are created equal, however. Learn about how they work and which technologies to look for when you shop.
HEPA Filters for Allergens
When shopping for an air purifier, look for HEPA. HEPA filters are the gold standard in air purification. HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air. True HEPA filters capture 99.97 percent of particles that are 0.3 microns or larger. For comparison, the average human hair is roughly 70 microns in diameter.
A HEPA filter traps airborne particles such as:
- Dust and dust mite debris
- Pet dander from cats, dogs, etc.
- Pollen that enters your home through windows and doors
- Mold spores from bathrooms and damp areas
- Some bacteria
- Fine smoke particles
Any particles that go through the filter remain trapped and won’t recirculate into your living space. Many families notice their allergy symptoms improve over time when using a HEPA air purifier.
Dust – It’s Not Just Dust
When you hear dust, you might imagine small particles bouncing through the air. Household dust is made up of dead skin cells, clothing fibers, outdoor soil tracked inside, and dust mite droppings. It’s that last item on the list that can cause unpleasant allergy and asthma symptoms.
Dust mites feed on the body’s shed skin cells that accumulate in your mattress, carpet, and furniture. Dust mite waste particles get kicked into the air when you walk across the room, sit on the couch, or make your bed. An air purifier in your bedroom can capture those irritating particles from dust mites before you inhale them while sleeping.
Eliminating dust is a big deal, so focus on running air purifiers in the rooms you use most. The bedroom and living room are great places to start.
Beat Pollen With an Air Purifier
Spring and fall are miserable for people with pollen allergies. Time outside starts and ends indoors when you’re fighting seasonal allergies. Outdoor pollen finds its way inside when you walk through your door. It rides in on your clothes, pets, and flows through cracks in windows and doors.
When pollen enters your home it lands on furniture, floors, and carpets. It gets stirred back up into the air every time someone walks by. Leaving a HEPA air purifier on creates a constant cycle of trapping pollen particles before they reach your nose and mouth.
Household members who suffer from seasonal allergies notice fewer symptoms while at home after using an air purifier in high traffic areas like the bedroom or living room. Being outdoors is unavoidable, but at least you’ll have one sanctuary!
Pets Love You, But Pollute Your Air
Pets give us love and companionship, but they take clean air away. Dogs and cats shed layers of skin every day that turn into pet dander. These tiny particles float around like dust particles. They don’t settle down for hours, making it hard to avoid breathing them in.
You can vacuum regularly and wipe your dog or cat down after being outside, but dander accumulates quickly. Air purifiers work exceptionally well for pet owners because they trap the particles we can’t see. Look for HEPA air cleaners because they cover the exact sizes of particles released by pets. Bonus points if the purifier has an activated carbon layer to absorb pet odors.
Air Purifiers Can Help with Pet Allergies
If someone in your home is allergic to dogs or cats but you’re not willing to part with Fido or Fluffy, try using an air purifier. HEPA filter air cleaners help alleviate many of the symptoms associated with pet allergies.
Air Purifier Size
Air purifiers are listed by the square footage they cover. Don’t make the mistake of thinking a small air purifier will work just as well in a large room. Match the room size to the square footage recommended by the manufacturer.
You will also notice CADR on the product description. CADR stands for Clean Air Delivery Rate. This number measures the speed of filtering smoke, dust, and pollen. Larger numbers equal quicker filtration.
- Maximize your investment by following these tips:
- Put air purifiers in the rooms you spend the most time in. Bedrooms are a good place to start.
- Keep windows and doors shut when using air purifiers.
- Change filters according to manufacturer guidelines.
- Run air purifiers on the low setting constantly instead of high for a few hours.
- Don’t block airflow by putting it in the corner of a room.
Air Purifiers vs. Vacuum Cleaners
It’s not all dust, pollen, and pets. HEPA air cleaners also:
- Decrease airborne bacteria
- Remove cooking smoke and fine particles
- Eliminate volatile organic compounds found in certain cleaning products, paints, and new furniture
- Use UV light technology to neutralize certain bacteria and viruses as air passes through
If you have kids, elderly parents, or anyone in the family with asthma or respiratory problems, improving indoor air quality isn’t a luxury. Air purifiers benefit their overall health.
Give Your Family Cleaner Air
You don’t have to remodel your house or spend tons of money on specialist HVAC equipment. An air purifier in one or two rooms is an inexpensive way to see immediate improvements in your air quality. Use air purifiers alongside daily habits like vacuuming, washing bed sheets once a week in hot water, and monitoring humidity levels to keep them below 50 percent. Reducing allergens can make a big difference in the way you experience your home.
Case Study: How One Family Used an Air Purifier to Lessen Allergy Symptoms Indoors
This family in Texas dealt with allergies inside their home year-round. Despite vacuuming frequently and dusting weekly, there was always sneezing, itchy eyes, congestion and nighttime coughing. Their youngest son even had more asthma attacks when pollen seasons kicked into full swing.
Once they consulted with an indoor air quality technician, they placed True HEPA air purifiers in each bedroom and living room. They noticed positive changes to the air quality inside their home within a month.
True HEPA filtration removed common allergens like dust mite debris, pet dander, pollen particles and dust floating in the air. Each family member enjoyed sleeping better through the night and waking up with less congestion. They also all experienced fewer allergy symptoms during the day.
Plus, they learned how adding air purifiers to their normal cleaning routine made the most impact. Washing all bedding each week, keeping indoor humidity low and replacing HVAC filters regularly also contributed to their success.
If your household suffers from allergies, asthma or respiratory sensitivities, learn how air purifiers can improve indoor air quality and reduce common pollutants.
FAQs about Air Purifiers and Indoor Allergies
Do air purifiers work for allergies?
Yes! Using an air purifier with True HEPA filters can help alleviate allergy symptoms caused by indoor pollutants. Pollen, pet dander, dust mites and mold spores can all be removed from your air. Many people notice relief from their allergy symptoms after consistently running an air purifier in their home.
What air purifier is best for dust and allergens?
Look for an air purifier that features True HEPA filtration. This type of filtration system can remove allergy-causing particles and dust from your indoor air.
Can air purifiers help with asthma?
Air purifiers can help reduce asthma triggers in your home by filtering out fine particles that can irritate your lungs. Breathing cleaner air can also help you sleep better at night.
Do air purifiers get rid of pet dander?
Yes! HEPA air purifiers trap pet dander and other small particles that pets can spread around your home.
Where is the best place to put an air purifier?
Ideally, you should place an air purifier in areas where you spend the majority of your time. For example, bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens or home offices. Bedrooms may be the most crucial room to have a purifier in because you sleep there for hours each night.
How long does it take an air purifier to clean a room?
Air purifiers can start cleaning the air in your home in as little time as a few hours. However, for the best results, it’s recommended to leave your air purifier on all day.
Should I leave my air purifier on all the time?
Yes. Keeping your air purifier on will continuously filter your indoor air. It’s best to keep it on a low setting or the automatic setting if it features one.
Can an air purifier filter pollen out of the air?
Yes! Not only can air purifiers filter out pollen, but they can also prevent pollen from spreading around your home and causing allergy symptoms.
What does CADR mean on an air purifier?
CADR stands for clean air delivery rate. It measures how well your air purifier can remove smoke, dust and pollen from your home. The higher the CADR number, the faster your air purifier will clean your indoor air.
Will an air purifier help with odors?
It depends on the air purifier. Look for models that come with activated carbon filters. Carbon filters can trap cooking odors, smoke smells, pet odors and VOC’s.
How often should I replace my air purifier filter?
HEPA filters typically last between 6-12 months. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s recommendations for replacing your filter.
Can I replace cleaning with an air purifier?
No. Although an air purifier can help filter the air in your home, you should still dust, vacuum and wash bedding regularly. Try to keep your home as dust-free as possible for the best results.