Air purifiers: what you need to know about this helpful tool

By: Gabbi Di Marino - content manager and fellow allergy sufferer

If you have seasonal allergies like me then you’ve probably tried EVERYTHING to help you get relief. One thing that always pops up when I’m searching for new methods is air purifiers. So, naturally, I got a little curious and did a bit of research on my own to answer some of the questions I had rattling around. 

How do air purifiers work anyway?

Most air purifiers are made up of a simple combo of a single fan with either one or several filters. The fan guides the “unclean” air into the filter where it will then pick up and hold onto all the gross stuff you don’t want floating around your home, things like dust and pollen. Then, voila - the filtered air is pushed back out to float freely through your living space. 

What kind of filter is best for catching things like pollen? 

While there’s a ton of different filters on the market, the one you should be reaching for is a HEPA filter. They’re specifically designed to hold onto harmful particles like pollen, pet dander, dust, and even tobacco smoke! For people with allergies and asthma, getting an air purifier with a HEPA filter is a great pal to have around! It may not eliminate all symptoms, but any help you can get is good, right? 

And, you should also try to get a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter! Bothersome allergens don’t just hide in the air, they hide in your carpets and drapes too! So, vacuuming frequently with a HEPA filter will make your space that much more cleaner. This vacuum by Bissel has a true HEPA filter and is highly rated - check it out! 

What makes a good air purifier? 

For starters, you’re going to want to make sure that your air purifier has a true HEPA filter, but that’s not all. Other qualities that you’ll definitely want your air purifier to have are a CADR (clean air delivery rate) of at least 300 and a size that properly fits the room it’ll be living in. Putting all of these traits together will help make sure that your air purifier is doing the best job it can possibly do to help keep the air in your home clean! 

If you’re in the market for a new air purifier, check out this one by Honeywell! 

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