Air purifiers promote good health by keeping the air inside your house fresh and clean. However, this comes at a considerable expense. Overall, most air purifiers don’t cost as much, and you can purchase a smart air purifier at a very reasonable price. The only problem is that most of the machines come with a HEPA filter, and some of them require recurring replacement to keep the machine in working conditions. However, some machines don’t require such replacements as often, and you can just clean the HEPA filter using a vacuum.
The main question arises which HEPA filters are washable and which are not? Moreover, whether or not it is wise to clean the filters rather than replacing them. If you are also facing the same confusion, then keep reading this article as it will clear all your doubts.
In order to understand why some HEPA filters are washable, and the rest are not. You need to understand the basics of HEPA filters, air purifiers, how they work, and the different types of HEPA filters used in air purifiers.
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What is a HEPA filter?
Before getting started with HEPA technology, it is best to know about air filters and how they work. An air filter is the most significant component of an air purifier. It is a mesh-like structure with micro-level holes. All of the harmful particles in the air are removed due to these filters. Moreover, there are different types of air filters that are specialized to remove various harmful pollutants from the air.
The HEPA filter is one of the most significant types of air filters that removes even the invisible tiny particles from the air. The word HEPA stands for “high-efficiency particulate air [filter].” It is a mechanical type of filter made up of glass fibers. The mesh of this filter is so small that it can capture even the tiny 0.3-micron particles with 99.97% accuracy.
Most of the modern air purifiers use the HEPA filter along with a pre-filter. Active carbon filter, UV-bulb, and ionizer filter to remove all the contaminants such as dust. Pollen, allergens, mycotoxins, molds, dust, pet hair, and even some times of VOCs.
Here is how often do you need to replace the different types of filters:
| Filter | Life |
| Pre-filter | Washable till 5 years |
| Active carbon filter | Every 4-6 months |
| Disposable HEPA filter | Every 6 months |
| Washable HEPA | Washable till 5 years |
| UV-bulb | Till the end of service life |
Washable vs. disposable HEPA filters:
Now that you know some basics about the HEPA filters, it is time you understand why some HEPA filters can be washed and others cannot. The fact that some air purifiers require filter replacement and others don’t depends on which type of HEPA filter is being used in the device. Basically, there are main types of HEPA filters, i.e., permanent HEPA filters and disposable HEPA filters.
The main difference between the two types is the service life and the price of the filters. Other than that, both filters work on the same principle of mechanical filtration, and both capture up to 0.3-micron particles from the air. The disposable HEPA filters have a shorter service life as compared to the others. On the other hand, the permanent HEPA filters cost a lot more than the disposable filters. As a result, air purifiers with permanent HEPA filters are more expensive than the others.
Disposable filters:
The most common type of HEPA filters is the disposable ones. They are widely used in about 60% of air purifiers due to their low cost and recurring maintenance charges. The disposable filters are straightforward to replace, and most manufacturers even provide recommended filter replacements for their air purifiers. Furthermore, these disposable filters are of different types such as; medicated, HEPA-13, etc. The service life of these filters depends upon the duration for which they are used daily. On average, a HEPA filter has a life of more or less than six months, depending on the daily usage.
Permanent HEPA Filters:
Permanent HEPA filters are expensive than disposable HEPA filters but remain economical in the long run. The permanent HEPA filters can last for many years without requiring any replacing. Manufacturers claim that you can vacuum clean these HEPA filters until they are physically damaged. These filters have porous fiberglass material that makes them highly durable. The fiberglass has the unique property that it doesn’t absorb any moisture or particles. Hence these filters are easy to clean or washable.
There are two main types of permanent HEPA filters. Their mode of operation is the same as other HEPA filters, but the difference lies in their mode of maintenance. The washable filters need to be washed using a special fluid cleaner, while the other HEPA filter requires no washing and just a vacuum cleaner. On average, a permanent HEPA filter can last for more than five years if maintained appropriately.
Here is how often do you need to clean the permanent filters:
| Filter | Maintenance |
| Washable HEPA filter | Wash every 3-4 months |
| Vacuum HEPA filter | Vacuum clean every month |
How to clean a permanent HEPA filter?
Permanent HEPA filters have a long service life, but their pores become clogged with trapped particles. These particles need to be removed from the filters using the appropriate method; otherwise, the filter becomes damaged and may cease to work. Therefore, you need to know your type of permanent HEPA filter to properly maintain it.
Clean Washable filter:
- Take out the filter from the air purifier using methods recommended by the manufacturer.
- Remove the dust by blowing some air in the filter and dusting with a piece of cloth to remove loose particles.
- Rinse the HEPA filter under running water in a sink and rub it with a piece of cloth.
- The rubbing will clear most of the clogging, but you have the option to use a little dishwashing liquid as well.
- Place the washed HEPA filter under the sun and make sure it is completely dry before reusing it in the air purifier.
Vacuum clean the filter:
- Take out the filter from the air purifier using methods recommended by the manufacturer.
- Use the vacuum cleaner without any attachments to remove the larger particles from outside the filter.
- Attach the smaller hose to the vacuum to suck the smaller particles from the filter.
- Place the cleaned filter under sunlight for at least 6 hours to kill any remaining germs and bacteria.
- Blow some air on the filter with a blower to further clear the HEPA filter before reusing it in the air purifier.
FAQs:
Are washable HEPA filters as effective as disposable HEPA filters?
Yes, both permanent and disposable HEPA filters are based on the same mechanical filtration principles. As a result, both the filters can catch 99.97% of particles up to 0.3 microns in their pores.
How long do the washable HEPA filters last?
Washable or permanent HEPA filters last for more than 5 years if maintained appropriately.
How to wash the HEPA filter?
Before washing a HEPA filter, make sure that it is a washable permanent type of filter and not disposable.
- Take out the filter from the purifier and use a blower to blow some air on it.
- Rinse the filter with warm water or vacuum clean it.
- Place the filter under the sun for a few hours to dry it and kill any remaining bacteria.
Which particles do the HEPA filters catch?
The HEPA filters can capture particles as small as 0.3 microns with 99.97% efficiency. These particles include mycotoxins, mold spores, allergens, dust, and VOCs.
How long do paint fumes stay in the air?
Typically, paint fumes remain in the room for up to 3 days, depending on the ventilation. However, you can reduce this duration by using an air purifier in the painted room.
Choose an air purifier
Air purifiers have become extremely popular in recent years. However, with so many different variations on the market, it can be difficult to pick the right unit for your home. Click on this link and I’ll walk you through how to choose an air purifier. I’ll also look at some of the pros and cons of each type of air purifier. Click on the link to learn more!
Conclusion:
To wrap it up, most air purifiers are available at a very reasonable price. However, most of them use disposable HEPA filters that need replacement every 3 to 4 months. Therefore, the permanent type of HEPA filter is more effective than the others because you can wash and reuse them multiple times until physical damage.
