How To Clean An Air Purifier Filter The Right Way

I am not sure why but as though HEPA filters are the only type of air purifier filters, most of the info I find when looking for instructions on how to clean air purifier filters is about cleaning HEPA filters. However, there are many other types of filters out there and here I cover cleaning instructions for several common types of air purifier filters, in case anyone is looking to clean more than just a HEPA filter.

Before we begin our discussion though, in summary, how do you clean an air purifier filter? How an air purifier filter is cleaned depends on the type of air purifier filter. Some air purifier filters cannot be cleaned and simply have to be replaced. Other types can be cleaned only by vacuuming or blowing with compressed air, some can be wiped with a damp cloth, while others can be washed by soaking in water.

Besides showing you how to clean your air purifier, in this post I am also going to share with you safety tips, what tools you should use for cleaning, links to user manuals with cleaning instructions for various common brands of air purifiers, and much more. My aim here is to help you find out exactly how to clean your particular air purifier filter, so this post is accordingly quite lengthy as I try to cater for everyone's type of air purifier filter.

To save time, do feel free to skip around to the sections of this post that are most relevant to you. However, before you skip around, for those of you who are completely clueless about cleaning an air purifier filter, I suggest you cover the first three sections of the post for some useful background information that will give you a deeper understanding of what you are doing when you are cleaning your air purifier filter.

How To Clean The Various Types Of Air Purifier Filters

With the knowledge of what air purifier filters you can clean and what tools you need to clean each type of filter, we can now have a look at how to clean each type of air purifier.

Besides general advice on how to clean the various cleanable filters, I have also listed some common air purifier brands and links to their manuals where you can find step by step cleaning instructions. 

If you are more of a monkey see monkey do type of person, I have also included videos showing you step by step how to clean a couple of popular types of air purifiers

How To Clean PCO Air Purifier Filters

PCO filters are normally located at the core of an air purifier. Some come with pre-filters, and some even with an activated carbon filter. The PCO filter consists of a high spectrum UVC bulb and titanium oxide catalyst metal plate.

Normally PCO filters can go without cleaning. However if you for whatever reason want to clean this filter, the only part of the filter you can clean is the bulb and its compartment. You will struggle to reach the metal catalyst part of the filter and even if you could, do not tamper with it.

Avoid touching that part of the PCO filter when cleaning as it's easy to damage and once you damage the catalyst your PCO filter becomes pretty much useless. The part you want to focus your cleaning efforts on is the bulb. Make sure the bulb has cooled down and is not hot when cleaning.

To clean the bulb, make sure you turn off the air purifier and unplug it from any power supply. Next, open the air purifier up to gain access to the filter. Most PCO air purifiers open up easily without the need for tools but always have a screwdriver on hand just in case there is a latch or screw to unscrew to get to your filter.

Once you have access to the filter which is normally known as the cell, you usually need to twist and unscrew the bulb to pull it out. When you manage to pull it out, use compressed air or a vacuum to remove dust & debris.

Once you have cleaned the bulb, and filtration area, close up the air purifier and that’s it you have cleaned your PCO filter.  Please note that your cleaning approach here will not apply to all PCO filters. Some filters are a closed system or in some sort of chamber in which you cannot access the bulb or metal catalyst plate.

How To Clean UV Air Purifier Filters

To clean your UV filter, you follow pretty much the same steps as you would a PCO filter. You have to switch off and unplug your device from the socket. Then open up your air purifier to pull out the bulb. 

Wipe the UV bulb with a damp cloth and place it back in the air purifier after drying it thoroughly. Make sure the bulb has completely cooled down before cleaning. Some Air purifier manufacturers with the UV feature advise against touching the bulb because the oil and filth on your hands can make it less effective.

If that is the case for your air purifier, you can alternatively use compressed air or a vacuum to get rid of dust and filth accumulated on and around your air purifier’s UV filter.

How To Clean TSS Air Purifier Filters

TSS air purifiers have a ceramic core that heats up to over 400 °F and the heat burns all pollutants that pass through the purifier. Based on all the info I could find, it is not recommended to clean TSS air purifier filters.

Even if you tried to open up the device to try and clean the ceramic core, chances are you will just end up messing up your air purifier. This kind of air purifier filtration/purification system simply does not need cleaning. So if you own one of these types of air purifiers you never have to worry about cleaning.

How To Clean Ionic Air Purifier Filters

I am not a big fan of ionic air purifiers because they produce a dangerous byproduct called ozone but nevertheless if you happen to own one they are one of the easiest air purifier filters to clean. The filters are usually metal rods placed at the core of the air purifier.

The filters generate static and this causes them to attract and neutralize air pollutants using ions. Because of the way they work, ionic air purifiers end up collecting a lot of pollutant particles on their filters and this happens quite often.

Eventually, the filters get so covered up with pollutants that they begin to be ineffective and the only way to get them working properly is cleaning them. Fortunately, all you have to do is wash the filters the same way you would wash ordinary dishes.

Most ionizer filters can be removed from an air purifier easily. Some air purifiers may need you to use a screwdriver to open the ionic filter compartment, so have one on hand in case. If you cannot remove yours, then to clean your ionizer simply wipe the filter with a damp cloth with soapy water, being careful not to let any water drip into your air purifier unit.

If yours has a removable ionic filter then you can simply pull out the filter and wash it clean with soap. Once it's washed, dry your ionic filter with a cloth and leave it in the sun or let it catch some air for an hour before placing back into your air purifier. Just make sure to only clean your filter once you have unplugged and turned off your air purifier.

How To Clean Biotech Air Purifier Filters

Biotech filters vary but they usually consist of a chamber whereby you add a solution that encourages certain microorganisms and bacteria to grow which digest all kinds of air pollutants and turn them into harmless by-products.

Accordingly, when it comes to cleaning these air purifiers, all that's involved is washing the chamber area whereby the bacteria are housed. Biotech air purifier filters are designed to be cleaned. You simply empty the chamber whereby the bacteria are housed and wash it with soap and water.

Thereafter you wipe the purification chamber dry and reassemble the air purifier once the chamber is completely dry. Other parts of the air purifier link to the filtration compartment that need to be cleaned as well and some biofilter based air purifiers come with extra layers of filtration.

If that's the case for yours then you just clean your additional filters as I have instructed here for the particular filter. If your type of filter is not on my list, just ask in the comments and I will try to help you find out how to clean it. Otherwise, that's pretty much it about cleaning biotech filters.

How To Clean Ozone Generator Filters

Ozone generators use a set of metal plates to create ozone which in turn cleans your air. Over time these plates get dirty as stuff sticks to them through oxidation. As more filth accumulates on the plate your ozone generator becomes less effective and you have to either clean or replace its plates.

To clean your ozone generator’s air-cleaning unit, for most ozone generators you will need to start by unscrewing the device to gain access to the plates. On the plates, you will usually see some silver or gold metal lines, and these are usually covered with some solid dirt that can be scraped off.

If yours looks as described above, scrape off the gunk using a razor blade. If there is no gunk then you can skip the scraping and continue by wiping your appliance’s metal plates with alcohol wipes. Make sure to pull out the plates from your device so you can wipe and scrape them properly.

You also want to blow compressed air and wipe the rest of the inside of the ozone generator but be sure to avoid tampering with any electrical connections or visible circuit board parts. Then finally make sure the plates you wiped are all dry and the metal terminals make good contact with each other when you reassemble your air purifier.

How To Clean Water Based or Air Revitalizer Filters

Air Revitalizers clean your air by using water in the filtration chamber to filter out pollutants from your air. Pollutants are sucked out of the air into the filtration chamber and that’s where all the filth you have to clean is.

To clean an air revitalizer, start by turning off your appliance. Next, you wanna take the cover of the revitalizer off and leave it somewhere safe facing downwards for it to dry. The cover usually holds a spinning shaft that's part of the filtration system which you can take off and clean.

Once you have disconnected the spinning shaft, rinse and clean it with tap water and dry it with a cloth or towel. Next, dirty air goes through some gaps either in your revitalizer water chamber or on its cover.

You need to clean these gaps and the quickest way I have found to do this is by rubbing the gaps clean using cotton ear swabs which easily fit in the small spaces. Thereafter you need to use a dry cotton cloth, to wipe off any remaining dirt on the rest of the revitalizer cover.

Lastly, wash the chamber of your appliance as you would a lunch box or any glass or plastic container. Dry all the components of your purifier and reassemble it and you are done cleaning an air revitalizer filter. With Air revitalizers, cleaning the filter is essentially cleaning the whole appliance.

How To Clean  Electrostatic Air Purifier Filters

Just like ionic air purifiers, electrostatic air purifiers are very easy to clean and maintain. In the same way, the filters are usually placed in the middle of the air purifier, and it’s just a matter of opening up your purifier to pull out the filter for you to clean it.

However, unlike ionic air purifier filters which are normally in the form of metal rods, electrostatic filters are normally a set of metal plates. Once you can pull the filter out of your purifier, you soak it in a bucket or sink of soapy water and wash it like you would your dishes.

Once you dry the filter completely, you simply place it back in your air purifier. Like any other purifier make sure your appliance is turned off and unplugged during cleaning.

How To Clean TPA Air Purifier Filters

If you hate the whole idea of replacing filters but you still want an air purifier with the power of a mechanical filter then TPA based air purifiers are designed with you in mind. Once you notice your air purifier is dirty and needs cleaning, you can clean your TPA filter either by hand or by placing it in a dishwasher.

Start cleaning your TPA filter by opening up your air purifier to pull out the filter and wiping the area where your filter sits with a damp soapy cloth and rinsing with a normal damp cloth thereafter once you pull out the filter. After you have done that, you can get to cleaning the filter.

To clean it by hand, soak it in soapy water using a neutral detergent and nothing corrosive. Don’t soak for longer than ten minutes. Thereafter use a brush outside of the filter to get rid of visible pollutants and dirt. As for the dishwasher method, simply wash it as you would dinner plates.

Once you are done washing, by either method the next step is to dry your filter. You can use an air drier, or dry it with natural sunlight. Leave the filter to dray for a day or two. You need to make sure it's completely dry before placing it back into your air purifier.

How To Clean Elementary/Prefilters

A common component of conventional air purifiers is an elementary filter. An elementary filter is also commonly referred to as a pre-filter. When cleaning any air purifier’s filtration system, the first thing you want to do is to check if the system has a pre-filter.

If you have a pre-filter on your appliance, that's the first part of your filter you should clean. Some pre-filters are disposable but most I have seen can be washed and reused. Your pre-filter is the first line of filtration before pollutants reach the rest of your air purifier’s filtration system.

Usually, the pre-filter traps all the bigger-sized pollutant particles in the air like hair, lint etc.. and leaves smaller particles, like smoke, and dust among others, for the rest of the filtration system. This is why it gets quite filthy.

To clean your elementary filter, first, make sure you have turned off and unplugged your air purifier then open up your air purifier’s filtration compartment with a screwdriver or door latch of your purifier depending on how your purifier is designed. 

Once open, pull out the pre-filter only. Make sure you wear a mask and pull it out gently so that you don't knock the contaminants trapped on the filter back into your air.

Preferably I would do the whole cleaning process outside and away from any area and air I do not want to pollute. Pre-filters are usually quite solid so before doing anything you want to gently beat and shake the filter to get rid of loose dust or debris on it.

Once you have given the filter a good thump, you can then wash it gently with soap and water on all sides. As you shake the pre-filter, you can also use a Compressed Air Duster Can and a soft brush to clear out any stubborn contaminants before starting to wash the filter.

Thereafter, when the filter is clean, wipe it dry with a clean cloth and leave it outside the purifier to dry completely while you replace or clean the rest of your air purifier’s filters. When everything is cleaned up, put your air purifier back together and you are good to go.

How To Clean Mechanical Air Purifier Filters

There are many types of molecular sieve air purifiers. The difference between the various conventional air filters is the type of filter media they use. The most common conventional air filter-based air purifier is the HEPA filter.

You then have activated carbon-based filters which are usually combined with other filters in one air purifier, pleated filters, metal filters, foam filters, polyester filters, and electrostatic filters among others, These all use a mechanical filtration approach and are made from materials ranging from fiberglass, cotton, polypropylene fabric to aluminum.

Many of these types of filters especially HEPA filters cannot be washed or cleaned and you are better off replacing them but there is a category of mechanical air purifier filters including some HEPA filters that are classified as washable.

If your mechanical air filter is labeled as washable then you should be able to safely wash it. That said I always advise caution when attempting to clean any mechanical filter, especially those made out of more fragile materials like HEPA and or foam-based air filters.

When you clean them you have to be very gentle and use low-pressure compressed air and soft-bristled brushes to stroke away loose dust and debris. Once you have powered off and unplugged your purifier, the cleaning process normally starts with taking the filter out of your air purifier.

You should do all your mechanical filter cleaning outside because you risk reintroducing pollutants on the filter into your indoor air if you accidentally knock the filter or as you try to brush off the filth stuck on your filter.

When you are outside you also want to wear a safety mask to avoid inhaling the contaminants as you clean. A pair of gloves will also come in handy if you are like me and hate skin contact with dirt. Once you've covered yourself, for some of these filters besides using compressed air and a brush you can use a vacuum cleaner on low speed to suck up some of the filth stuck to the filter.

Once you have dealt with the loose dirt on your filter, if you have a type that can be washed in water, then the next step is to wash it with water. Usually, that entails running water over the filter or soaking it in soapy water and rinsing and wiping afterward.

With more rigid metal and plastic filters you can even place your filter in a dishwasher or wash it like you do ordinary dishes. Then the next part is drying your filter. 

Depending on which filter you have, some can withstand drying with hot hair from a hair drier but to stay on the safe side rather wipe down your filter as best as you can and leave it in the sun or next to a fan to dry naturally.

You must also be careful of mold and bacteria growth on your filter if it stays moist for too long. So dry your air purifier filter as fast as you can after washing with water. While your filter is drying you can then rinse the area where your filter is placed in your air purifier.

Wipe it with a damp soapy cloth then rinse afterward with a damp cloth with no soap. Then once everything is dry you can put your air purifier back together. Throughout the cleaning process, make sure to avoid tampering with and harshly touching the filter material.

As for anyone who happens to have activated carbon filters, to clean them, you simply let them bake in the sun and the sun does all the work for you. Should you need to shake off the dirt from an activated carbon filter or any filter for that matter, do it ever so gently.

So, this is pretty much all there is to cleaning a mechanical air purifier. I however must repeat this one thing, be careful with cleaning some of these mechanical filters, especially HEPA filters.

The general recommendation for HEPA filters and similarly fragile mechanical filters is to replace them. But if worst comes to worst and you find yourself having to clean filters in the fragile category or even non-cleanable mechanical air purifier filters, please avoid water and vacuum cleaners.

Rather use a compressed air can and gentle brush only to get the filter as clean as you possibly can. All ways of cleaning a HEPA filter cause it to become less effective but some cleaning approaches are more damaging than others. So you want to use the least damaging approach and the above approach is the least damaging approach for cleaning HEPA filters I have found so far.

Links To Air Purifier Manuals With Filter Cleaning Instructions By Brand

Now if you are looking to clean a filter for a specific air purifier brand, here is the list of air purifier brands commonly asked about. I could not find links for everything but I found links to most of the manuals as you can see in the table. 

That said for those air purifiers with no readily available cleaning instruction manual, based on the information available and intuition I managed to provide a summary of how to clean their filters. Let me know in the comments below if your air purifier is not on the list and you need some help finding its cleaning instructions.