Do air purifiers help with dust? If you are looking for the answer to this query, you will get it right now! I invite you to read this informative guide where I delve into how these units will help you get rid of dust, what filters work best for it, and what factors you need to consider in order to maximize results. So, without any delay, let’s head into it!
Quick Answer
To answer shortly, Yes the air purifiers work to remove dust particles. But here is what you need to know:
- Though air purifiers help remove dust. You need to combine the power of multiple types of filters such as HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air filter) with pre-filter and carbon filters for maximum efficiency and benefits.
- To see how well your air purifier is working against dust, you can either see the display settings of the air quality index on your unit or buy a separate air health measuring device to see the number of pollutants in the air.
Continue reading below to learn more about how these devices work against poor indoor air quality, how efficient they are, and what benefits they provide. Also, get insights into the best models on the market based on your preferences and needs. Let’s dive deeper into the details!
Understanding How Air Purifiers Do Their Magic
Air Purifiers work by drawing in the indoor air through a system of filters. These filters capture all sorts of airborne particles such as:
- Dust;
- Smoke;
- Odors;
- Pollen;
- VOCs;
- Pet Dander;
- Germs and microorganisms;
- Mold.
If you need to know more about how these different air purifiers work, hop on to my article here on “What does an air purifier do?“
Do Air Purifiers Help With Dust? Here’s The Truth!
The answer is Yes, the air purifiers do remove dust particles.
Listed below are a couple of important types that stand tall against the dust:
1. HEPA
They use high efficiency high particulate air filters that can capture even the tiniest particles up to 0.3 microns. I have found that air purifiers with HEPA and activated carbon filters work best together for getting rid of dust particles. HEPA filters can capture even the tiniest particulate up to 99.97% efficiency including dust mites, mold spores, and pet dander.
2. Activated Carbon
These are particularly used along a pre-filter and a HEPA filter to provide you with the best air possible. Carbon filters have porous materials that are mainly designed to absorb gases and odors. They have a sticky surface with which the larger dust particles are stuck to it leaving the air cleaner. They need to be used with a pre-filter to be able to remove both smaller and larger dust particles.
For better understanding, check out this helpful video.
Air Purifiers And Those Pesty Dust Mites: Here’s What You Need to Know
When it comes to tackling mites, air purifiers equipped with HEPA filters, high CADR (at least 2/3rd of the room size), and CFM are considered best for capturing all kinds of dust mites. They force the air through a dense mesh of fibers to trap the dust particles as small as 0.3 microns with up to 99.997% efficiency.
Even though they will help reduce them in the air the mites can still live within the fabrics and surfaces that are not exposed to the airflow the cleaners are cleaning up.
So in addition to using the air purifier, I suggest:
- You need to wash your bedding and curtains in hot water weekly.
- Thoroughly dusting out your cushions, carpets, and furniture.
- Use mattress protector covers for mattresses, pillows, and duvets.
- Air out your room and reduce any humidity.
Healthier, Cleaner and Better: Unlocking The Benefits of Your Air Purifier
Air purifiers can capture tiny particles and air pollutants such as dirt, dead skin cells, hairs, dust mites, and fibers.
Removing such contaminants considerably reduces the dirt build-up and the need to dust off your furniture continuously. But they provide more benefits, let’s explore some of them:
- Help with allergies: It can be quite annoying if you have to deal with constant sneezing and wheezing if your allergies get triggered. These devices will help alleviate symptoms caused by airborne irritants.
- Eliminate odors: There are a lot of unpleasant smells if you have pets or cook a lot. The filters in air cleaners can capture VOCs, Cabon monoxide, and smoke from the air leaving the air fresher.
- Decrease germs: Many diseases (flu, common cold, Covid) spread around caused by germs and viruses. Air purifiers use HEPA and UV rays reducing the risk of spreading and remitting the diseases.
For an in-depth guide on how these cleaners can help improve your life, visit my article on the benefits of air purifiers.
5 Must-Know Factors Impacting Dust Capturing by an Air Purifier
I want to highlight the 5 crucial factors that you need to understand regarding dust capturing by air cleaners.
Let’s check them out:
- Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR): For optimal dust mites removal, go for at least 2/3rd of the CADR rating of the room size you want to clean. For instance, if your room is 300 sq ft., then you should at least have a 200 CADR rating for the purifier.
- Filters: It is essential to get a combination of filters for the best and efficient performance against dust removal. Go for pre-filter ( for removing larger particles), HEPA (for capturing small particles), and Carbon (to remove Odors and VOCs).
- Fan Speed: Many purifiers utilize multiple fan speeds to cater to the changing quality of the air. By employing varying speed levels you can speed up dust removal and get cleaner air in less time.
- Certifications: Compliance with AHAM (Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers), EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), CARB (California Air Resources Board), and AAFA (Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America) will ensure optimal performance and efficiency against dust.
- Placement: These units need to be placed at a location where they can draw in plenty of air to remove the contaminants. Locate them near sources of pollution. I recommend reading my article to know the best place to place your air purifier.
A 4-Step Guide on How to Assess the Efficiency of Your Air Purifier
After buying an air purifier for dust particles. Are you still unsure whether it is doing its job? Well, to see the efficiency of the device, look at the air quality. Air Quality measures the amount of pollutants and contaminants in the air known as particulate matter (PM) such as ozone, nitrogen oxide, and germs.
Here is how you can see if the air quality has improved by the unit:
- Utilizing Air Quality Monitors: Many devices come with built-in sensors that continuously measure the PM 2.5 level in the air. The levels will be either shown on the display or an app connected to the device.
- Air Quality Index (AQI) Monitor: In case your model does not come with one, I suggest going for a separate monitor to measure the levels and see if you notice a difference. You can purchase a battery-powered one that you can carry around and is portable. Some models also allow the data to be transferred to your phone/PC through the Wi-Fi.
- Assessing Air Purifier Filters: You can see how well the filters work by seeing how much dust they have captured. If they are dirty and clogged then that means they are efficiently capturing the dust mite droppings and particles in the air.
- Personal Experience: Apart from these measures, your senses can never go wrong. If your unit works well, you will notice fresher, cleaner air.
Unveiling The Top Choices For a Dust-Free Home
If you are looking for top models to tackle dust, here are some standout options:
You can also check out my entire list of the best options for air purifiers that remove dust on the market today.
FAQ
Do air purifiers really remove dust?
Yes, air purifiers remove dust from your home. Most of them come with HEPA filters that can capture dust up to 99.97%.
Should I get an air purifier if my room is dusty?
You should get an air purifier if your room is dusty. This is because the air purifier will help keep it well-ventilated and free from dust particles, dust mites, pet dander, and any irritation related to it.
How long does it take for an air purifier to remove dust?
For an air purifier to remove dust depends on multiple factors such as CADR rating, room coverage, size of room, purifier, and how powerful the device is. Generally, you should go for a minimum of 4 air changes per room. This means that if your room is 100 sq ft. then your unit should be able to remove the dust within 15 mins (60 minutes divided by 4 ACH = 15 minutes).
Conclusion
Summing it up, do air purifiers help with dust? Yes, they do. They can effectively remove dust particles and dust mite droppings in the air with the help of HEPA filters. These capture particles such as germs, dust, odors, and VOCs up to 99.97% efficiency and improve the overall air quality of your home among other benefits.
There are some ways to see if your air purifier is helping out with the dust particles. You can either look at the air quality rating through the display on the device or the synced app on your phone. If your unit does not come with a built-in monitor, you may purchase a portable AQI device. You will feel a breath of fresh air when your air purifier works its magic with cleaner, crisper air around you.
If you are looking to combat dust, I recommend the Levoit Air Purifier 600s. It can handle large spaces and comes with a pre-filter, HEPA 13 filter, Activated Carbon Filter, and all the smart features you need for clean air.
Danny is a passionate writer who loves to share his knowledge about air purifiers. He’s been writing for 10 years, and he’ll share all that experience with Very Well Home viewers to help you make the best decision when it’s time to buy an appliance!