Handling a filter can damage its integrity, so instead of cleaning a disposable air filter, discard it and replace it with a new one. But if you have a reusable air filter, you can keep it clean and use it again. Here, we'll discuss how to do that. First of all, you need to remove the filter safely from the air conditioning unit.
Rinse it in a sink or tub with water and use a soft brush and mild detergent to remove sticky particles. Shake off excess water so that it drains through the drain holes in the frame and reinstall the air filter into the system. The system air flow will completely dry the clean filter. Careful and thorough cleaning of these filters is a must.
Not all air filters can be cleaned and reused, especially if your location has a lot of VOCs. True HEPA filters, for example, should be discarded and replaced once every six months or a year, depending on usage. Electrostatic filters and activated carbon filters can usually be cleaned and reused, as can some HEPA-type filters. When you have cleanable filters installed, the efficiency of the HVAC filter increases after washing them.
Air filters will require maintenance, and if you are not replacing the filter, you will need to wash it constantly. If the air system works too much for too long, there is a risk of mechanical failure or even a complete breakdown. If the filter is too large to fit inside a sink or bucket, use a garden hose to wash it, allowing water to run through the filter in the opposite direction of the airflow. Washable air and oven filters consist of a mesh fabric, the tightness of which determines the MERV rating.
Permanent home air filters are best maintained in the 4-12 MERV range, where protection and affordability are balanced. This will depend on your individual air filter, but the general rule of thumb is to clean most air filters once a month. Washable air filters provide your home with an easy and cost-effective way to keep your ventilation systems free of contaminants. If the air cleaner requires a more thorough cleaning, fill the sink or a large bucket with a mixture of equal parts of hot water and distilled white vinegar. Although washable air filters are initially slightly more expensive than disposable air filters, they last longer. You can order disposable air filters for your home that only require you to periodically change the old ones. From one maintenance period to the next, air conditioning filters trap a large number of types of contaminants and other debris, and these particles are often trapped far below the surface, in the filter fibers.
If your air filter is announced to be washable or permanent, you can clean and reuse it.
