Air Filters: Can They Remove Lingering Aromas?

Air purifiers are a great way to improve indoor air quality and remove unwanted odours. They can help with smells from cooking, pets, tobacco smoke, and other lingering aromas. However, not all air purifiers are created equal when it comes to odour removal. The type of filter media and the size of the room are important factors in determining the effectiveness of an air purifier in removing unwanted smells. While air purifiers can help reduce odours, they cannot completely eliminate all particles that cause foul odours, especially in larger spaces.

Air purifiers with activated carbon filters are best for removing smoke

Air purifiers are an effective way to improve indoor air quality and remove unwanted odours. While there isn't extensive research on their ability to remove odours, air purifiers can help reduce airborne particles that cause bad smells.

If you're looking to remove smoke, air purifiers with activated carbon filters are the best option. Carbon filters are designed to absorb and contain smoke, odours, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). They are often used in combination with HEPA filters, which are great for capturing fine particulate matter present in smoke.

When choosing an air purifier for smoke removal, consider the room size and the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR). The CADR measures how quickly an air purifier can remove pollutants from the air, and a higher CADR indicates a faster and more efficient performance. Additionally, look for air purifiers with customisable filters, as some are specifically designed for smoke removal.

• IQAir HealthPro Plus: This unit features a HyperHEPA filter and over five pounds of activated carbon to tackle smoke particles and odours. It has an impressive particle removal capability and a powerful fan, yet operates quietly.
• Smart Air Blast Mini: This air purifier has a large HEPA filter and 2.62 lbs of activated carbon. It is the fastest unit tested and is ideal for larger spaces.
• Mila Air Purifier: Mila offers smart features and customisability. It has an activated carbon filter and an H12 HEPA filter to remove fine particles. The app provides additional settings and control.
• Levoit Core 600S: This is a budget-friendly option with smart features. It has an activated carbon filter and is suitable for medium to large rooms.
• Austin Air HealthMate: This air purifier has a robust four-stage filtration system, including a large activated carbon filter and a medical-grade HEPA filter. It is one of the few made in the USA and is perfect for removing VOCs and toxic chemicals.

Remember, it is important to replace filters regularly for optimal performance. Additionally, ensure proper ventilation and consider air purifiers as a supplementary method to improve indoor air quality.

HEPA filters are ineffective at removing odours

HEPA filters are high-efficiency particulate air filters that are designed to capture and remove particles such as dust, pollen, and pet dander from the air. While HEPA filters are effective at improving indoor air quality, they have limited effectiveness when it comes to removing odours or smells.

The main issue with HEPA filters is that they are not designed to remove gases or volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are often the primary sources of odours. While HEPA filters can capture particles that may contribute to smells, they are unable to address the gaseous components that are responsible for the majority of odours. This means that HEPA filters are primarily ineffective for odour removal.

To enhance the odour-removal capabilities of HEPA filters, some manufacturers combine them with additional filtration systems, such as activated carbon filters. Activated carbon filters are specifically designed to absorb gaseous pollutants, including VOCs, which can help reduce odours. However, even with these additional filters, the effectiveness of HEPA-based systems in removing odours can vary depending on factors such as the amount and quality of the carbon used.

Furthermore, HEPA filters may also be combined with UV-C germicidal lamps to address the growth of bacteria, mould, and mildew, which can contribute to musty odours. However, the effectiveness of UV-C light air purifiers in reducing odours is unclear, and there are concerns about the production of ozone, a harmful pollutant.

Overall, while HEPA filters can play a role in improving indoor air quality, they are not the most effective solution for removing odours. For more comprehensive odour removal, specialised filters such as activated carbon filters or emerging technologies like Photo Electrochemical Oxidation (PECO) may be more suitable.

Air purifiers can help with pet odours

Air Purifiers Can Help With Pet Odors

As much as we love our pets, they can negatively affect the air quality in our homes. Pet odors can be unpleasant, and all the pet hair and dander floating around can be almost unbearable for allergy sufferers. Air purifiers can help to improve air quality and reduce odors in your home.

How Air Purifiers Help With Pet Odors

Air purifiers work by filtering and removing particles that may cause bad smells. They can also help to remove allergens, such as pet dander and hair, from the air. The best air purifiers for pet owners will be able to capture everything from dander to odors to clumps of loose fur.

Types of Air Purifiers for Pet Odors

When it comes to removing pet odors, there are two main types of air purifiers that are particularly effective:

• Carbon air purifiers: These purifiers use activated carbon to absorb odors and gases from the air. They are effective at removing common pet odors, such as those from litter boxes, accidents, and general pet smells.
• HEPA air purifiers: HEPA filters are high-efficiency particulate air filters that can remove up to 99.97% of dust, pollen, and mold from the air. They are also effective at capturing pet dander, hair, and other larger particles.

Choosing the Right Air Purifier for Pet Odors

When choosing an air purifier to help with pet odors, it is important to consider the following:

• Room size: Air purifiers are designed for different room sizes, so choose one that is appropriate for the size of the room where you plan to use it.
• Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR): The CADR indicates how quickly an air purifier can remove contaminants from the air. Look for a purifier with a CADR that is at least two-thirds of the room's square footage.
• Features: Some air purifiers have additional features such as timers, air quality sensors, and filter replacement indicators. If you are sensitive to pet odors, look for a model with an activated carbon filter. If your pet sheds a lot, choose a purifier with a washable pre-filter to catch hair and prevent it from clogging the main filter.

Tips for Using an Air Purifier to Reduce Pet Odors

For the best results when using an air purifier to reduce pet odors, follow these tips:

• Remove obvious sources of pet odor: Before using an air purifier, identify and remove any strong sources of pet odor, such as feces, urine, and dander.
• Clean and prepare your home: Clean all furniture, upholstery, and carpets to remove any stray pet dander and fur.
• Deal with accidents promptly: Accidents happen, and the sooner you deal with them, the less likely you are to have issues with pet odors. Use paper towels to soak up any urine or feces, then dilute the area with club soda or water and sprinkle with baking soda to neutralize odors.
• Place the air purifier near your pet's favorite spot: Keep the air purifier near your pet's bed, crate, or favorite spot to help keep pet odors at bay.
• Keep windows and doors closed: For optimal efficiency, keep the windows and doors closed when the air purifier is turned on.

With the right air purifier, good housekeeping, and pet hygiene, you can enjoy a fresh and odor-free home without having to keep your pet outdoors.

Air purifiers can help with food odours

Air purifiers can be a great way to help with food odours, especially in the kitchen. Food odours can be difficult to remove, and they can linger for days, but air purifiers can help to reduce or eliminate them.

Air purifiers work by filtering and removing particles that may cause bad smells. The type of purifier will determine the method used to remove these particles. For example, some purifiers use negative ion-emitting technology, which attracts particles, while others use filtering technologies to capture particles and gases.

If you're looking to remove food odours, you'll want to choose an air purifier with advanced filters. A HEPA filter won't be enough, as it focuses on fine particles like dust and pollen. Instead, opt for a carbon air purifier, which is designed to remove odours.

In addition to food odours, air purifiers can help with smoke, pet, and musty smells, as well as cooking smells. They can also reduce pollutants in the air, making the air healthier to breathe.

Air purifiers not only help to improve the smell of your home, but they can also address the root cause of the odour, rather than just covering it up with air fresheners or scented candles. They can be used for a long time and are a worthwhile investment for improving your indoor air quality.

While air purifiers can be effective, it's important to note that they can't remove an odour at its source. You'll also want to ensure proper ventilation in your home by opening windows and improving airflow. Regular cleaning can also help prevent bad odours from building up, especially in the kitchen.

Air purifiers can help with nappy odours

Nappies are a necessity for babies, but they can also be a source of unpleasant odours. Fortunately, air purifiers can help to reduce or eliminate these odours, improving the smell and air quality in your home.

Air purifiers use fans to draw in and filter out allergens, pollutants, and odour-causing particles from the air. Some purifiers also use negative ion emitting technology to attract particles, but these can release ozone emissions, which are a health risk. Most air purifiers use filtering technologies, such as washable or disposable prefilters, to capture larger particles like pet dander and hair. Smaller particles are then captured by a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, which is made of layers of fibreglass threads that trap the particles within a high-density mesh.

Effectiveness of Air Purifiers on Odours

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that removing indoor air pollutants can potentially lead to cleaner and fresher air. However, it is not guaranteed to eliminate all odours and lingering smells. Air purifiers are recommended as a supplementary method to good ventilation for improving indoor air quality and removing bad odours.

While there is limited research on odour removal, studies have shown that air purifiers can significantly reduce poor indoor air quality. The type of air purifier and the presence of additional filters, such as activated carbon, can also impact their effectiveness against odours.

Air Purifiers and Nappy Odours

Air purifiers can be effective in reducing nappy odours. Nappies, especially when soiled, can release unpleasant smells into the surrounding area. By using an air purifier, you can trap and remove these odour-causing particles from the air, improving the smell in your baby's room and the rest of your home.

It is important to note that air purifiers work best in a single room, so you may need multiple units depending on the layout of your home. Additionally, the larger the room, the bigger the air purifier needs to be to effectively remove the odours.

Other Sources of Household Odours

In addition to nappy odours, air purifiers can also help with other common household odours, including:

• Smoke (from cigarettes, campfires, cooking, etc.)
• Pet odours and litter boxes
• Cooking smells (such as fish, curry, burnt food, etc.)
• Garbage and trash cans
• Mould and mildew
• Sewer smells from drains
• Natural gas leaks

Frequently asked questions