Air purifiers absorb dust and pollen, so dirt accumulates. In addition, if the humidifying function type is left without cleaning, it can cause not only limescale but also mold. In this article, we will introduce cleaning techniques using baking soda as a way to clean the air purifier.
What is an air purifier?
The air purifier removes unpleasant odors from laundry that is dried indoors, as well as pollen and dust. It is an indispensable home appliance in a life where you don’t have the opportunity to open the window frequently to change the air, so there are probably many people who love it. It has the effect of purifying pollen, dust, house dust, etc., and deodorizing the smell of curtains and sofas.
Type of air purifier
Air cleaning function type
An air purifier is an item that purifies the air as the name suggests, and mainly refers to products that use electricity. It draws in indoor air, passes it through a filter, and circulates clean air in the room. Recently, there are various purification methods, and in the case of large-scale equipment such as commercial use, fan type and dust collection type are often adopted. In addition, plasma type and ion type are widely distributed as air purifiers used in ordinary homes.
Type with humidification function
This humidification function is often added as an additional function of recent air purifiers. It is a popular type because it can humidify while cleaning the air. It can be used only as an air purifier during the humid season, and can also be used with the humidifying function during the dry season, so it does not take up much space and maintenance such as cleaning is only required for one unit.
Why is it necessary to clean the air purifier?
Regular maintenance of the air purifier will keep the air in your room clean and you will be able to live comfortably. We will introduce you in detail so that you can know the cause of the air purifier becoming dirty and perform detailed care and maintenance appropriately.
Causes of dirty air purifiers
Air purifiers work around the clock to clean the air by not only removing pollen, dust, and mold from the air, but also sucking up house dust in the room. Not only does it efficiently circulate indoor air, but it also has the effect of removing unpleasant odors from drying indoors and odors from curtains. The air purifier has the function of circulating the air in the room cleanly, so various contaminants accumulate in the air purifier.
Air purifier filters get dirty easily
The filter, which is an essential part of the air purifier, is a hard worker that catches all kinds of dirt, so dirt such as dust, pollen, and invisible mold bacteria accumulates on the filter. When vacuuming, remove dust and debris from the air purifier’s suction port and filter.
Air purifiers tend to become breeding grounds for mold
Air purifiers have the ability to remove mold and mildew from the air. Leaving the mold on the filter without cleaning it for a long period of time can become a breeding ground for mold, and the mold may grow. In addition to wiping down, wash the parts that can be washed with water for regular maintenance.
Watch out for mold with a humidifier function!
Leaving an air purifier with a humidifying function in a damp state can cause mold to grow on the parts inside. An air purifier with a humidifying function evaporates and releases moisture, so you want to keep the humidifier parts clean at all times. When not using the humidification function, wash with water using baking soda and keep it dry. The detailed maintenance method will be explained in the cleaning method of the air purifier described later.
With a humidifier function, it is easy to get limescale
Air purifiers with a humidifying function tend to get limescale, but there is no problem because limescale is impurities such as calcium contained in tap water. Wash regularly with baking soda or citric acid. It is recommended to replace the humidifying filter or tray when discolored stains or white hard scales are found, as it may slow down the operation.
How often do you clean your air purifier?
How long does it take to clean?
Manufacturers who sell air purifiers recommend maintenance once a month. Although it depends on the shape, the dust inlet and panel on the back and bottom should be vacuumed once a week. Since dust tends to accumulate in the suction port of the , we recommend that you vacuum it up with a vacuum cleaner every time you see it for a week or so and perform frequent maintenance.
Need a filter change?
Most manufacturers recommend replacing deodorizing filters and anti-mold units every five years. If parts that cannot be washed with water are used for many years, it becomes difficult to remove dirt and odors, no matter how diligently you clean them. If you are concerned about the smell or if the filter becomes conspicuous, we recommend replacing it. When replacing, use the manufacturer’s genuine product.
For a humidifying filter with a humidifying function
The humidifying filter of an air purifier with a humidifying function has a shorter life than the dust collection filter, so it is recommended to replace it every 2 to 3 years. It’s time to replace the filter when it’s hard to get rid of limescale clumps even after washing. Filters are available from manufacturers and Amazon, so check the model number before ordering. For products that have been discontinued, please contact the manufacturer directly to see if they have them in stock.
What you need to clean your air purifier
Remove the washable parts once a month and wash them with baking soda or citric acid. If you are concerned about odors or cannot remove limescale, the manufacturer recommends using a weakly alkaline powder detergent. Use a clean air purifier with regular maintenance.
Items to prepare
The main items that are useful to prepare are as follows. It is recommended that you wear a mask and goggles if possible, as dust will fly when cleaning. Avoid maintenance methods that use alcohol, as they may damage the materials and parts of the product. Depending on the manufacturer, it is written not to use in the notes.
- newspaper
- Vacuum cleaner
- dust cloth
- rubber gloves
- sponge
- toothbrush
- citric acid
- baking soda
- Weak alkaline detergent (powder)
baking soda
Baking soda becomes alkaline when dissolved in water, so it is effective in removing odors and light limescale. Dissolve approximately 60g (4 tablespoons) of baking soda in 1L of water. If you use cold water, the grains will remain, so let’s use it after dissolving it in lukewarm water. Baking soda is available at 100 yen shops, so if you keep it on hand, you can use it for other cleaning purposes.
citric acid
Citric acid becomes acidic when dissolved in water, so it is effective for stains that cannot be removed with baking soda and for stubborn limescale. Dissolve about 6g (1/3 tablespoon) per 1L in lukewarm water below 40℃. Citric acid is also available at 100 yen like baking soda. It can be used for cleaning pots and water bottles, so it is a good idea to always have it on hand.
Kitchen detergent (powder)
Weakly alkaline detergents such as Kao’s Magiclean Powder are effective in removing stubborn limescale and filter odors. You can also use synthetic kitchen detergent for dishwashers. If you are worried about the smell of the air coming out of the exhaust port, it is effective to dissolve these detergents in water and soak them for about 30 minutes.
Can I use oxygen-based bleach that is pickled in oxy?
In recent years, a care method using oxygen-based bleach as “oxyzuke” has become popular on SNS. Oxygen-based bleaching agents are effective for washing clothes and cleaning air conditioner filters. However, the instruction manuals of air purifier manufacturers may warn against using them, so do not use alkaline or acidic detergents or bleaches other than those specified.
How to clean the air purifier (1) No humidification function
First, vacuum the dust on the outside of the air purifier. Even if you remove the parts and wash them with water, you can reduce the amount of dust floating in the air by quickly sucking up the dust with a vacuum cleaner.
2. Dissolve baking soda and citric acid in hot water
Next, wipe the entire exterior with a damp cloth, but before that, dissolve an appropriate amount of baking soda and citric acid, which act as detergents, in lukewarm water at about 40°C. Doing so will make the rest of your work easier. Make sure to follow the instructions for the amount of baking soda and citric acid.
3. Wipe the whole with a wet cloth that has been tightly wrung out
Wipe the outside of the air purifier with a cloth soaked in water with baking soda or citric acid dissolved in it. Carefully wipe off the parts that are touched on a daily basis, such as the switch part. The cord is also dirty, so wipe it off with a rag two or three times.
4. Remove the sensor filter
The air purifier has a sensor that detects the dirt in the indoor air. Wipe off any dirt from this area. If it can be washed with water, remove it and wash it with other parts. This is the part that detects dirt that is hard to see, such as dust, dust, and pollen, and gives orders to circulate clean air, so let’s perform this maintenance regularly.
5. Remove the water tank and humidifying filter
remove the water tank
If the humidifier is equipped, remove the water supply tank here, and if there is water inside, discard the water.
remove the humidifying tray
If the machine has a humidifying function, remove the humidifying tray together with the water tank.
6. Absorb dirt from removed parts with a vacuum cleaner
Remove dirt from the deodorizing filter
Remove the back panel, take out the filter inside and place it on the newspaper. There are filters that can be washed with water and filters that cannot be washed with water.
remove dust from the inside with a vacuum cleaner
Replace the tip of the vacuum cleaner with a crevice nozzle to suck up the dust inside the air purifier. By carefully removing the dust before wiping with water, you can wipe it clean without dust. Before cleaning with water, remove most of the dust with a vacuum cleaner.
7. Wipe the inside with a rag
Carefully wipe the back panel and the part where the filter was removed. Even if you use a vacuum cleaner to suck up the dirt, there will still be dirt in small areas, so wipe it down as well.
Even after removing the water tank and using a vacuum cleaner to remove most of the dirt, there is still dirt around the fan inside. If the fan does not work properly, the air cannot be purified, so remove visible dirt as much as possible.
8.Wash the parts that can be washed with water
For parts that can be washed with water, dissolve baking soda or citric acid and wash with water. If the dirt is severe, it is also effective to mix baking soda and citric acid and leave it on. When you mix it, carbon dioxide is generated and it foams up. This foam is harmless, so it is also effective to use this foam for soaking and washing. Foam spreads to every corner and dissolves dirt.
It is also effective to soak with a synthetic detergent for the kitchen.
The manufacturer recommends using Kao Wide Magiclean, a powdered synthetic detergent for kitchens, to remove stubborn water stains and the smell of blown air. Dissolve the powdered synthetic detergent in hot water of about 40°C and soak it. We recommend that you do this maintenance once a year, if not every month (follow the instructions for handling detergent).
9. Rinse thoroughly with running water
Finally, rinse off the detergent with running water. If detergent is left on the product, it will give off a bad smell, and the parts will be deformed or discolored, so wash it off carefully.
Air purifier cleaning method ② with humidification function
1. How to wash the water tank
When washing the inside of the water supply tank, add water with baking soda or citric acid dissolved in it and shake it well. After that, remove the cover of the water supply port and wash separately.
2. How to wash the humidifying filter
If it has a humidification function, wash the tray with water. The gaps in the humidifying filter are filled with dirt that may cause mold, so rinse it once with running water. After that, wash with baking soda or citric acid for a refreshing finish. As mentioned earlier, even if you maintain the filter, it will gradually become dirty and it will be difficult to remove the dirt, so replace it regularly.
3. How to wash the humidifying filter
Water stains tend to accumulate on the corners and threads of the humidifying filter tray, so use a toothbrush to gently clean these areas. If the limescale becomes hard and does not come off, leave it on and then gently scrub it again with a toothbrush.
Attach after drying in the shade
After cleaning the air purifier, drain it well and dry it in the shade in a well-ventilated place. If you expose the filter to the sun because you want to dry it quickly, the filter may shrink or become discolored. When propping up the filter, pay attention to its direction so that it does not lose its shape.
Summary of air purifier cleaning techniques
Air purifiers purify invisible air. Clean air cannot circulate if the main unit is dirty, so let’s maintain it regularly. If you are concerned about the shape of the filter, it is time to replace it! Change it for clean air.