A Guide to Changing Air Purifier Filters

There is nothing more important than the air that you breathe and a great way to ensure that you are breathing clean air is to use an air purifier. It is important that if you choose to use an air purifier that you keep the filter clean. A clogged filter can cause a host of negative things from your air purifier including decreased air cleaning effectiveness, dirty airways inside your purifier, and premature failure of the purifier fan motor due to increased resistance of drawing air though a clogged filter.

There are basically two main types of air purifier filters, permanent and disposable. Disposable filters, as indicated by the name, are throw aways, which must be disposed of each time you change the filters. Permanent filters are filters, which can be cleaned and reused. Over the long term permanent filters are a more economical way to go, since you can clean them often and don't have to deal with the expense of constantly replacing them.

Some air purifiers have a dirty filter indicator. If your air purifier unit doesn't offer this feature you can periodically check how clean the filter is according to the manufacturer's recommendation. Remove the filter from the unit and inspect the filter. If there is built up dirt or other material visible on the filter than you will need to clean or replace it.

If the filter is a disposable filter, you will need to locate the model number on the filter and obtain an exact replacement filter. Do not try to use a filter, which is not an exact match. Doing so may damage the air purifier unit, and even if it doesn't damage the purifier, it probably won't work right. Once you have the correct replacement filter you will need to check if the filter uses a plastic frame. Some air purifier units with disposable filters have the filter slide over a plastic frame to give the filter more rigidity. Don't throw out the old filter until you are sure that you don't need to use the plastic frame from it. Insert the new filter into the unit, and wipe the outside of the unit with a damp (not wet) cloth to clean off the air purifier.

If the filter, which you have removed from the air purifier unit, is a permanent washable filter, then you will need to clean the filter before you can reinsert it. Most filters are washable in warm water and a little mild soap. Make sure that you thoroughly clean the filter by running water though it to remove all the material that built up on the filter surface. Let the filter air dry thoroughly before you re-insert the filter back into the air purifier unit. Wipe the outside of the unit with a damp (not wet) cloth to clean off the air purifier.