Best allergy air
purifier:
General air cleaning
Before we get to the best allergy air purifier, let's talk air.
Specifically, indoor air. In today's modern air-tight homes, the air inside is generally a hodgepodge of tiny airborne particles, any of which can be an allergy trigger for people.
No matter where you live or how clean your home is, you likely have at least one (and likely several) allergens in your air, including:
- dust mites
- animal dander
- mold and fungus spores
- pollen
- bacteria
- plant and insect parts
- and/or a combination of all the above
| While not a cure in and of itself, efforts to limit exposure to indoor and outdoor airborne allergens can often reduce asthma symptoms, even for those with severe cases. |
The number #1 solution
Source control. What does that mean?If you know, or have a pretty good idea of what specifically you are reacting to, eliminate the source.
The bottom line ...
The best allergy air purifier will do little if there is an active source of allergen in the home or if you haven't taken steps to limit contact.For example, if you are allergic to the family pet, have you taken steps to limit contact with the animal, perhaps making it an outdoor animal or else limiting it to certain rooms in the house? Do you wash clothes, hands, face after you touch the animal? Do others who play with the pet know to change clothes before going into rooms the pet isn't allowed in?
Remember: Simple steps to limit the source of allergy will make the best allergy air purifier work effectively. Not doing so will render the best allergy air purifier practically useless.
OK, if I limit the source, can an air purifier help?
Yes, but it's no magic cure. The best allergy air purifier will help, but only in conjunction with common sense.Let's look at a few simple steps before considering air purifiers for allergies.
| These are basic clean air steps. For more specific steps to take for specific allergens, visit those parts of this site. |
Step 1
Start with the bedroom. It's where you spend most of your time (asleep and vulnerable to allergens).Dust mite exposure has been shown in studies to be the most likely airborne allergen for those with childhood asthma. Not to mention, this side of Antarctica, these microscopic critters are everywhere (sorry to break it to you).
The most important thing you can do is invest in dust-proof covers for your pillows, mattresses and other fabric items in your bedroom.
These covers, called allergen-impermeable, may not be as stylish as your chosen bedroom motif, but they will keep dust mites and their waste off.
Step 2
Wash everything you can - pillows, sheets, blankets - weekly in hot water (130 degrees F).Don't neglect stuffed toys that are often popular with small children. They can harbor dust mites.
Step 3
Vacuum and dust weekly wearing a filtered mask. Because this will kick up dust, do it at a time when you can stay out of the bedroom for a while afterward.Upgrade your vacuum. At the least, buy high-efficiency cleaner bags. Special filters for vacuum cleaners keep the dust from recirculating in the air. Consider investing in a HEPA vacuum cleaner.
Step 4
Now, let's consider the qualities to look for in your best allergy air purifier.Smaller airborne allergen particles like pet dander, dust mites and mold can present lingering problems.
Briefly, two general air cleaning technologies worth considering are:
Filtered air purifiers use a paper or cloth filter to "strain out" airborne particles. The best use a HEPA filter, which doesn't refer to a brand but is an acronym ("High Efficiency Particulate Arresting" filter) which refers to the efficiency of the filter.
Electrostatic ionizing air purifiers use an ionizer to charge particles before passing air through oppositely charged metal plates that draw the particles out of the air.
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return to home from air purifiers for asthma