Isn’t it just annoying when strange odors fill your house? They become a significant health concern if you have the elderly and infants or family members prone to allergic reactions at home.
Thanks to technology, the problem is easy to deal with. The easiest way is to get an air purifier with the right filter. The best filter that can fight the smallest dust particles is the HEPA filter.
However, with continuous use, the dust particles accumulate in the filter and would have to be cleaned for the air purifier to work well.
Getting ready
Depending on the type of germ guardian air purifier you are using, the cleaning procedure varies. It also varies depending on the filter in the purifier. In this guide, we have explained how to go about cleaning an air filter. But before we check the procedure, you should have:
- A vacuum cleaner with a hose brush
- Supply of cold running water
- Your air purifier’s manual (check if your filter is washable or not)
Now that you’ve got these in place, follow the guides below to clean the filters.
How to clean a washable GermGuardian filter
Follow these steps to clean a washable filter:
- Take your air purifier to a designated cleaning area. You can do it outside or in the laundry room. Dismantling it in your livable space can contaminate the air.
- Follow the dismantling procedure in the manual to carefully remove the filters. Take extra care not to break the small parts.
- Dust off excess dust from the filters. In some instances, it will have accumulated to the point where it starts to cake.
- Take the filters to a water source (or use a hosepipe outdoors) to clean the dust and dirt. Either way, ensure the water is on medium pressure to prevent damaging the filter. Rinse it out till the water becomes clear. Turn it on the opposite side, then repeat.
- Take the filters somewhere to dry. Though it may take time, remember that using artificial drying procedures may destroy the filters and cause you to incur replacement fees.
- Once the filter is dry, refer to the manual to reinstall it. You should only switch on the device when the filter is in place.
Now that your filter is clean, it should serve you for a couple of weeks or months before cleaning or replacement depending on your indoor air quality.
When it comes to replacing your filters, make sure you select a genuine GermGuardian replacement filter that is either sold by the manufacturer or in certified stores.
If you are a pet owner, get a good air purifier for pet odor that is specialized for the purpose and designed to last. You should also lookout for any color change over time as it signifies the filter needs a replacement.
How to clean a non-washable HEPA filter
If your filter is non-washable, follow these steps to clean it:
- Plug off the air purifier and dismantle it as per the instruction manual.
- Carefully separate the HEPA filter and slide it off
- Separate the filters carefully. Permanent filters usually have supporting layers such as an activated charcoal layer. These extra filters should be rinsed under cold water until the water becomes clear then air-dried.
- Using your vacuum cleaner, start vacuuming your non-washable filter on a low setting. Run the brush or hose over the whole surface of the filter and ensure you get all corners. Be careful not to destroy the delicate fiber.
- Once you’ve cleaned the filters and ensured they are dry, re-assemble the parts. Follow the guidelines in the manual in order to do it right.
Air filters can only function effectively if they are clean or replaced regularly. If you care about your air quality, make sure to draw up a regular maintenance routine. Aside from ensuring to reset the HEPA air filter on GermGuardian, you should also run the purifier in the right settings all the time.
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