Air purifiers are very popular, and have been used for some time now. They are used for refreshing our living spaces and even killing germs that stay in the air.
Many people doubt their effectiveness, and don’t believe in their ability to fight germs in the air. Others, swear by them.
So, are they really effective, and if they are, how do they work?
We will find out in this article.
Who invented air purifiers?
This machine has been known for quite a long time. They have been invented for removing germs and pests living in the air, and floating around. Some of them are pollen and others are dust and other particules.
So, they are meant to be helpful for everybody suffering from allergy or other respiratory problems.
First air purifiers were invented in the 16th century, and they were in a form of a mask, that was carried around on people’s places. This prevented all the pests from coming into our bodies through breathing, and this was the first form of air purifier.
Shortly after, Leonardo Da Vinci made a drawing of air purifier that was made from a cloth that were soaked in water and carried around in a mask. They were used by miners and people who worked and lived in areas that were filled with polluted air.
Close to something we have and use today, was invented in the 1900s. during 1940s, military in the United States used HEPA purifiers to clean the air from radioactive materials, and protect themselves from it. These filters worked on asbestos paper, and since he wasn’t available around the world at that time, government of the USA assigned Arthur D. Little who had a firm, to produce these filters.
Based on these first filters, German firms started to produce similar devices. They were smaller, and easier to use. They were meant for consumers around the world.
Filters like this were used for catching dust from coal ovens.
By 1994, the first air purifier was available on the market, and it was a product that was more compact and consumer friendly. Also a product of German engineers.
Today we have a wide variety of different devices that were based on these first machines. Most of them are really small, and fit perfectly into our home unlike the ones we had few years back.
Efficiency of air purifiers
These devices can’t clean your house. There is no fan working on air purifiers so the dust and other germs can’t be cleaned out of your home like when using a vacuum.
People who have problems with allergies and other respiratory system problems don’t need this anyway. Air purifiers will catch any particules flying around your home, without a lot of noise and mess, so keep that in mind.
If you have severe allergy problems, air purifiers won’t be able to cure them. You still need to take your medications, and also clean your house.
Many particules get on your floors and furniture, and cause problems for your health, and there is nothing an air purifier can do in that case.
They only catch germs while they are in the air and not on the floors and other surfaces. A good advice would be to make a house plan from your furniture, that will be more allergy friendly, and give access to air purifiers so they can work properly.
These devices do refresh the air in your house, and that is a fact, but any bad smell coming from inside the house (garbage or perhaps animal litter), will not be “refreshed”.
There is no possibility for this device to clean the air from bad smells completely, so you will have to clean your house regularly.
Since there are many different varieties of purifiers today, many people think that combining filters and purifiers have to be a 100% success.
But this depends only on the construction of the filter, and it’s quality. Germs and pollen can even go through this machine and you will be back to square one.
So a good air purifier goes a long way.
Air purifiers won’t be able to replace fresh air. Everyone needs it, and not getting enough fresh natural air can only make your respiratory problems worse.
These devices can only support you in small way, all other allergy fighting methods must be applied. For dust mites you need to change your bed sheets and clean your house often, since air purifiers can only catch dust mite particules that have been developed.
The strength of your air purifier, or the speed that you set on it can also be very important. The lower the speed is, the less this device is doing. Leaving it for a long time on low speed can be a bad idea, so leave it running for a while and then switch it off for better results. I
f you can’t handle the noise, do this when you are leaving the house, and switch it off when you get back.
When it comes to cleaning out germs and viruses from your home, air purifiers can do a good job. This depends on the quality of the device and the way you use it. Some of these air purifiers have good reviews from consumers and have shown themselves as capable in fighting allergens.
Tobacco smell and similar odors can’t be removed with these devices completely. Sometimes these smells can get so deep in your furniture and whole house, that is not that easy to clean them.
Air purifiers help to clean the air from bad smells, but only if the smell is close to it, or around it.
Instead of expecting a miracle from this machine, make sure to clean your house regularly. There is nothing out there on the market that will replace your work around the house (at least not yet). Air purifiers do really work, and they have their good sides.
They will make your house smell beautiful and keep germs and other pollen out of your house.
But, like I said, you need to participate as well. For your allergies you need to use your medicines and also clean around the places that are not reachable for this device.
Air purifiers only work on the air that is close to them, and they don’t lift any dust or pollen of your furniture. Also, make sure to use it correctly for it to work the best way.
Sometimes a short working time can a better idea, than leaving it on for the whole day. And from many different choices out there, don’t rely on filters that are connected to these purifiers since they are not always the best choice.