HEPA filters are widely used in air purifiers, vacuums, and air conditioning systems to remove particulates from the air and improve indoor air quality. However, they are not designed to be washed and reused, as doing so can damage the fibers and render the filter ineffective. Even if the filter is marketed as washable or permanent, there is no standard for washable HEPA filters, and there have been no public studies that test the operation of these filters after they have been washed. Therefore, it is unclear how cleaning a HEPA filter with water or a vacuum can degrade its performance. Many people bought air purifiers to get rid of mold in their homes, but washing the filter with water could help mold grow.
You can rinse the filter with water, remove excess dust, or remove it with a vacuum, but this can permanently damage the fiber mesh that allows the filter to remove particles from the air. Smart Air is a certified B company committed to fighting the myths used by large companies to inflate the price of clean air. Since HEPA filters are made from a variety of materials, such as “thick glass fibers”, coated animal hair, plant fibers, synthetic fibers (such as polyester or nylon), synthetic foams, metallic wool, or expanded metals and sheets, CK performed 3 types of tests to measure the increase or decrease in the performance of the HEPA filter before and after cleaning. The PECO-HEPA Tri-Power filter combines the efficiency of HEPA particles with the destruction of the PECO, thus reducing the likelihood of mold or pollen fragments being released into the air. In conclusion, it is best to replace your HEPA filter when it starts to clog and its effectiveness decreases rather than trying to clean it.
