Do Air Purifiers Help with Dust? Here's What to Know
Air purifiers can help eliminate impurities like dust, pollen, and pet dander.
Dera Burreson
Fact checked by Marcus Reeves
Air purifiers are helpful devices that improve home air quality. Yet, some people wonder, "Do air purifiers help with dust?" If you've been thinking about installing air purifiers in your home—or aren't sure how your existing purifiers work—here's what you need to know.
What to Know About Home Air Quality
Poor air quality can impact your health. It can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and respiratory diseases, and can even worsen chronic conditions like heart disease and cancer. Clean air positively impacts quality of life, so keeping the air in your home as clean as possible is essential.
"People spend more than 90% of their time indoors, and indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air," says Kenneth Mendez, president and CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). One of the main factors contributing to poor indoor air quality is dust. "Dust in your home is mostly made up of human debris (skin cells, hair, and "other")," says Mendez. He says indoor air irritants typically come from dirt, pollen, animal dander, mold spores, microplastics, and fibers.
Seemingly innocuous films of settled dust can become airborne during cleaning or after a gust of window enters a room. But dust, dust mites, and their droppings can quickly end up on your clothes or lungs. An air purifier can help remove dust from your home and avoid dust-related irritation.
Related: The 6 Best Air Quality Monitors of 2024
What Are Air Purifiers?
Air purifiers are devices designed to clean and sanitize the air in your home. They remove impurities in the air, including dust, smoke, odors, and other air pollutants. "Air purifiers (also called air cleaners) are designed to remove small particles from the air we breathe indoors," Mendez says.
How Do Air Purifiers Work?
Most air purifiers sanitize the air by pulling indoor air through a filter. The filter then traps dust and other airborne particles before releasing clean air back into the room. Filters are usually made of fiberglass, paper, mesh, carbon, foam, or aluminum.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), cleaners with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters can remove 99.9% of airborne particles measuring as small as 0.3 microns. "These particles can irritate the lungs or trigger asthma or allergies when inhaled," Mendez says.
However, some air purifiers release harmful levels of ozone. "Ozone can cause irritation and inflammation of the airways in healthy people, and it can cause more serious effects in people with asthma," warns Dr. John McKeon, CEO and founder of Allergy Standards Limited (ASL) of the Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Program. "Ozone is also an air pollutant that can harm people with asthma," he says.
Related: The 8 Best Air Purifiers for Removing Pet Hair, Odors, and Dander, According to Our Tests
Do Air Purifiers Help with Dust?
The answer is yes. By filtering particles, air purifiers remove pollutants, allergens, and other toxins from the air. However, how effectively they eliminate dust will depend on the device's specific features. For people with asthma and other respiratory problems, consider air purifiers with an ASL and AAFA certification for the best results.
McKeon says you should place an air purifier in the room where you spend most of your time. For example, dust and other allergy triggers are common in bedrooms. But anywhere that street-traffic pollutants or external allergens enter is ideal.
What Are the Benefits of Air Purifiers?
Using an air purifier to remove dust can significantly reduce the concentration of tiny particulate pollutants, allergens, and toxins. Improved air quality features several benefits, including:
Minimizes symptoms for people with respiratory conditions, such as asthma
Reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases
Improves sleep quality
Important Factors for Dust Elimination
Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR): CADR refers to the volume of particles an air purifier can filter in a set time. The bigger the room, the higher this rate should be.
Size: Look for models that will work for your room size. Always choose models designed for larger areas than you have so you can operate them in a lower, quiet setting.
Filters: Some purifiers' filtration systems feature odor filters, HEPA filters, vital ionizers, and washable prefilters. Ensure that the purifier you choose has filters to cater to your needs. Also, consider how frequently you must change the filters, as that affects the overall operational cost. Reusable or washable filters help keep costs low.
Fan speed: Some purifiers have fans that adjust according to the air quality. Others lower the speed at night so it doesn't disturb sleep.
Certification: Look for certifications, like from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM). AHAM standards ensure home care appliance safety, efficiency, and performance. An ASL and AAFA certification on an air purifier means that:
It can reduce the level of allergens in the air
It doesn't reintroduce allergens back into the air
It limits ozone emissions
Related: Where's the Best Place to Put an Air Purifier?
More Ways to Get Rid of Dust in Your Home
The best way is to identify the source of the dust and address it. Also, ensure that your home has adequate ventilation. Other steps you can take include:
Clean your curtains regularly
Swap fabrics for leather or vinyl, which can easily be washed or wiped
Wash bedding in hot water to kill any dust mites
Related: Yes, Your Bed Absolutely Needs a Top Sheet—Here's Why
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Your Car Is Even Dirtier Than a Toilet Seat—Here's How to Disinfect It
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