An air purifier for mold will help remove mold in your home. You will feel better knowing your family is protected airborne contaminants. Dust mites, pet dander, smoke, and most of all, mold, are common indoor air pollutants that cause mold issues.
An air purifier can turn an unhealthy space into a healthy one. Mold is the biggest threat to your health because it’s everywhere, yet you can’t see it. When mold issues get out of hand, it contributes to sick building syndrome.
Eliminating a mold source isn’t difficult, nor is cleaning the air in your home. Choosing the best air purifier for mold is a step in the right direction when you want to improve indoor air quality within your living and working spaces.
What is Mold And Why Is It In My Home?
You’ve seen mold in your refrigerator, which is the same fungi that can grow inside your home. Mold is a type of fungus. There are thousands of different types of mold that can grow outdoors and indoors, according to Medical News Today.
The first thing you should check is your home’s humidity levels. Mold produces spores released into the air where they spread and grow. Removing mold spores before they grow inside your home is essential and this is how air purifiers work when they get rid of mold, by attacking it before mold spores settle.
The spores, although you can’t see them, are everywhere and mold air can enter your home with ease along with other pollutants. Mold can enter through windows, doors, ventilation systems, or on the back on your pet and even your clothes.
The big seasons for mold growth are fall and winter. It is during colder months when your windows are closed, creating air conditions where mold can thrive.
If there’s enough mold growing, you can see it and sometimes smell its musty odor. Mold grows behind drywall in spaces wherever there’s plumbing lines, or in areas where flooding has occurred, for example.
Choosing the Best Air Purifier For Mold
Here are a few things you should look for when hunting for a new air purifier:
True Hepa Filter
The key element in choosing a powerful air purifier for mold is to pick one with a true HEPA filter. HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air. The filters have a fine glass mesh that can remove 99.97 percent of particles from the air down to a size of 0.3 microns in diameter.
This includes mold spores, most of which range from 1-30 microns. Most mold air purifiers have a washable pre filter or HEPA filter, but make sure you check beforehand. You don’t want to change a new filter every two weeks.
Energy Star Certified
Your air purifier should be an Energy Star rated device for cost and sustainability reasons. There are other certifications to explore, but the main one is the Energy Star rating.
Association Of Home Appliance Manufacturers
Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) has a certification program that shows you the clean air delivery rate (CADR) of an air purifier. It also provides guidelines on the size of the room it can handle.
While there are specific CADR figures for some air pollutants, like smoke, pollen and dust, mold does not have a specific rating.
UV C Bulb
Studies have shown that portable UV-C light air purifiers offer limited protection against mold. They cannot address pollutants like VOCs and other airborne particles.
The Top Air Purifiers For Mold
1. LEVOIT Air Purifier
The LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home Allergies boasts 93 percent four- and five-star reviews. This modern looking air purifier has a filtration system called the Core 300, which features three separate stages of filtration: ultra-fine pre-filter, a Japanese-made true HEPA filter, and a high-grade granular activated carbon filter.
Vortexair Technology gives this air purifier a stronger airflow, allowing for high efficiency particulate air removal and cleaner indoor air. While the goal is to filter mold from indoor air, you don’t want mold growing inside the purifier.
An optional mold bacteria filter makes this model different from other mold air purifiers. It has an extra antibacterial filter that kills germs and prevents mold and bacteria from returning inside the filter.
The HEPA filter along with the pre-filter and activated carbon filter will capture 99.97 percent of fine particles as small as 0.3 microns. With an activated carbon layer, it can also remove airborne particles like pollen, dust, pet dander, smoke, and mold spores.
You can adjust the speed settings to accommodate your space. For example, in medium rooms, you wouldn’t need to operate the air purifier at maximum speeds.
The display light can turn off at night. A timer can be set for two, four, six, or eight hours of continuous running time. And you can adjust the three speed settings according to the size of the room. A filter change indicator lets you know when it’s time to replace the filter. It also has a low noise feature so you can leave it on at night when you sleep.
Pros:
- Effective at removing mold spores and reducing allergy symptoms
- Comes with 90 days of Amazon support and a one-year manufacturer’s limited warranty.
Cons:
- Issues with the filter fitting flush inside
- Replacement filters are overpriced
2. Alen BreatheSmart Classic Air Purifier
Buyers love the Alen BreatheSmart Classic Large Room Air Purifier for many reasons and the optional HEPA Silver filter specifically for mold is one of them. the company says that unit cleans 1,100 square feet every three times faster than normal on a 30 minutes cycle, bur has adjustable speed settings. It can capture 99.97 percent of airborne particles that cause indoor mold.
It is designed for large rooms like open concept areas, living rooms, basements and apartments. The HEPA Silver filter is meant for those who are looking to eliminate dust, mold, mildew, bacteria, and/or light odors. The washable filter is unlike other filter types and offers and extra boost of protection, providing coverage area protection in your home.
This particular filter has four layers: a pre-filter that traps pet hair and larger particles, a second line of filtration is the Silver Filter, which traps and kills bacteria and mold spores, the third is the HEPA Pure layer that removes airborne particles like dust, dust mites, dirt, pollen and other allergens. The fourth is a carbon layer, which absorbs odors in various air conditions.
The BreatheSmart Classic is quiet, using “advanced WhisperMax technology” that produces a pink noise to promote deeper sleep. The unit has an air quality sensor that shows you when higher concentrations of indoor air pollutants are present and four fan speeds for optimal operation.
The purifier includes an ionizer that is ozone-free and produces negative ions that cause particles to clump together, allowing the HEPA filter to trap them and eliminate mold.
Pros:
- Relieves many health symptoms
- Lifetime warranty along with Amazon’s 90 days of phone support
Cons:
- Large space coverage is an issue
- Warranty support was rated poorly
3. Germ Guardian With True HEPA Filter Air Purifier
The Germ Guardian True HEPA Filter Air Purifier is a popular choice among homeowners. This model uses three methods to clean the air. First, a true HEPA filter clears out as much as 99.97 percent of the dust, pollen, pet dander, mold spores, and other allergens as small as .3 microns from the air.
Second, an optional UV C light helps kill airborne viruses such as influenza, staph, rhinovirus, and it uses Titanium Dioxide to reduce volatile organic compounds. A pre-filter traps pet hair, and other large particles before the air gets to the HEPA filter and a separate activated charcoal filter eliminates odors.
The Germ Guardian filters the air four times per hour at its maximum speed and is recommended for medium to large rooms of up to 167 square feet.
This purifier has three speeds, and the lowest setting is at the level of a gentle white noise, perfect for nighttime use. As with other air purifiers, the filter will need to be changed every six to eight months and the UV bulb every 10 to 12 months.
Pros:
- Happy reviewers love the effectiveness of this unit
- Three-year limited warranty and US-based tech support
Cons:
- A number of buyers noted burnt-out circuit boards and a fire risk from the defect.
- A few reviewers noted problems with durability.
4. AeraMax 300 Large Room Air Purifier
As Amazon’s Choice for an air purifier for a large room, the AeraMax 300 is effective for all the usual indoor air pollutants and also offers four-stage purification. This particular purifier is recommended for larger rooms that range from 300 to 600 square feet.
In addition to the true HEPA filter, it includes Aerasafe antimicrobial treatment and a carbon filter. The filers remove 99.995 percent of airborne particles including pollen, allergens, viruses, germs, dust mites, mold spores and cigarette smoke. The built-in antimicrobial technology helps prevent odor-causing bacteria, mildew, and fungi from growing on the True HEPA filter.
The AeraMax is certified asthma and allergy friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. It includes a smart sensor that monitors air quality so you can adjust the fan speed for optimal purification.
Unlike other air purifiers, the PlasmaTRUE technology creates an ionized field to help remove airborne pollutants that emit ozone issues. It’s an energy efficient solution and a great air purifier.
Pros:
- Alleviates breathing issues.
- It is possible to turn off the ionizer
Cons:
- Noise issues
- The limited three-year warranty only covers defective parts and workmanship
5. Winix 5300-2 Air Purifier
More than 90 percent of the Amazon reviews give the Winix 5300-2 Air Purifier four or five stars. Buyers say it is very effective against allergens and removed mold spores from the air. This unit uses a True HEPA filter to capture 99.97% of airborne pollutants and an advanced odor control carbon filter that can eliminate mold on VOCs and household odors.
It also includes an optional PlasmaWave technology to counteract odor, allergens, chemical vapors, pollutants, and smaller particles without producing harmful ozone.
This Winix model is CADR rated for 360 square feet, which makes it good for medium and large rooms, including bedrooms, nurseries and offices. It has a smart sensor to assess the air and an LED indicator displays the indoor air quality on a scale of good to poor. In Auto Mode, the unit adjusts the fan for the best filtration.
Unlike other models, it has a sleep mode makes the unit silent for a restful night and automatically dims the indicator lights. Manual mode lets you run it continuously at your desired speed to help reduce energy consumption.
Pros:
- Buyers love how effective this purifier is at alleviating respiratory symptoms from poor indoor air quality
- Many noted how quietly the unit runs
- The plasma technology can be switched off
Cons:
- Some unhappy reviewers did not feel the unit cleaned the air well
- Weak customer support
The Basics of Mold
As already noted, there are quite thousands of types of mold, however, not all are harmful. Certain types are quite useful and even desirable, such as those use to make blue cheese or penicillin. On the other hand, there are some that have been shown or are suspected to release harmful substances along with their spores, such as black mold.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control, if you can see mold or smell its characteristic musty smell, you need to remove it and remedy whatever in the home is causing it to grow.
It’s impossible to tell what kind of mold it is by looking at it and you don’t need to spend money to have it tested: In all cases, the mold problem needs to be addressed.
Allergenic Mold
May not make you sick but it can aggravate allergies
Pathogenic Mold
Can cause illness in people with compromised immune systems, and
Toxigenic Mold
Toxic to anyone who comes in contact with it, including animals – like your pets.
This last category is most concerning because these are the ones that release mycotoxins, the chemicals that are released by the fungus that can become airborne along with the spores. Some studies have also shown that these chemicals can hitch a ride on other particles — like dust – as they float along.
Black Mold
This is the big bad one that is thought to hold the most potential danger in the home. Called black mold because of its dark color, the scientific name is Stachybotrys chartarum. It’s most to grow on things that are made from cellulose, such as wood, paper, fiberboard and drywall, but it can be anywhere that is constantly warm, and wet. This includes inside walls and underneath carpets or flooring.
The CDC points out that Stachybotrys chartarum, as well other molds, may cause nonspecific health symptoms. This is why it doesn’t matter what kind of mold it is because all types need to be removed.
Health Effects of Mold
According to the National Capital Poison Control Center, hundreds of different studies have been done on allergies and mold, reaching a variety of conclusions. It can be impossible to correlate the type of mold with respiratory effects and other irritants like second-hand smoke, airborne particles, and other volatile organic compounds.
Most experts feel that spending time in damp and moldy environments increases the risk of bronchitis and respiratory infections, although this has not been proven.
Eliminate Mold Inside Your Home
The old adage that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure holds true when you want to eliminate mold. Since mold needs moisture to thrive, keeping your environment dry is key.
- Stop any leaks as soon as possible. It’s also important to thoroughly dry out or replace any materials that got wet.
- Keep your home’s humidity at around 40 percent and not more.
- If you need to clean up mold from a hard surface, you can use soap and water, a commercial cleaning product or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup (8 ounces) of bleach in 1 gallon of water.
- Keep damp areas of the home well-ventilated, including kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms.
- If you have an area that is often damp, consider floor coverings other than carpet.
- If the mold growth is extensive, overwhelming or difficult to reach, call in an experienced mold-cleaning professional.
How Do I Know Airborne Mold Spores Are Present?
If you think airborne mold spores might be a problem in your home, it’s easiest to start with a simple mold test kits that you can buy online or in a home improvement store.
Make sure you get a viable mold test kit, which takes a few days in order to determine if spores are in the air. Many kits also allow you to send off the test for professionals to determine what kind of mold it is.
How Is Mold Bad For My Health?
While certain toxic molds – such as black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum) – contain high levels of dangerous mycotoxins, any mold that is not removed can grow and cause health problems.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) some people are more sensitive to molds than others. Mold exposure can cause symptoms like a stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin. Severe reactions to high mold concentrations can include fever and shortness of breath.
Anyone who has asthma or allergies or those who have suppressed immune systems can be more susceptible to mold. The CDC also cites studies that have shown healthy people can develop respiratory symptoms from mold exposure. It has also been linked to the development of asthma in some children.
Remove Airborne Particles
It’s impossible to keep airborne mold spores from entering your home, but there are things that you can do to prevent mold from becoming a problem. Obviously, rooting out the source of the mold and eliminating it is the most important step.
Reducing humidity is another important step and according to the Environmental Protection Agency, levels below 60 percent are best. Medical News Today says that good ventilation is also an excellent preventive measure.
In the meantime, the next important measure is to filter indoor air to remove pollutants like mold spores.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ
What Kind Of Air Purifier Do I Need For Mold?
When you have mold in your home, an air purifier will remove airborne particles from your indoor space. Air purifiers for mold also prevent mold spores from developing.
An air purifier is equipped with an activated carbon filter that attacks mold before it can grow inside your home. The filtration system removes toxins from the air causes by air conditioners or upholstered furniture, for example.
You want to buy an air purifier that uses a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. The special filter has a fine glass mesh that is capable of removing 99.97 percent of particles from the air down to a size of 0.3 microns in diameter. This includes mold spores, most of which range between one to 30 microns. Not all air purifiers come with a HEPA filter, but most of them do.
Where Should I Put The Air Purifier?
The most effective location for an air purifier is the area where the mold is present, or where there is excessive dampness. Additional purifiers can be placed in bedrooms for those who want cleaner indoor air.
What Size Of Air Purifier Do I Need?
Each air purifier has a specific size of room for which it is designed. To receive the most protection, when you buy a new purifier, choose one that can handle the square footage space.
It’s fine to place an air purifier designed for up to 300 square feet in a room that is only 200 square feet, but not the other way around, otherwise it will not be as effective in cleaning the air.
What Certifications Should An Air Purifier For Mold Have?
For electricity cost and sustainability, an Energy Star rated device is key, but there is no mold-specific certification for an air purifier. AHAM, the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, has a voluntary certification program that gives you the clean air delivery rate (CADR). While there are specific CADR figures for smoke, pollen and dust, no such rating exists for mold.
What Is CADR?
CADR stands for “clean air delivery rate.” This is the number of specific particles that can be removed from air. A CADR rating tells you how fast an air purifier can eliminate mold from the air inside a room. Speed ratings will differ between air purifiers.
How Long Should I Run The Air Purifier?
You can run an air purifier constantly, however you should definitely have it on while you are in the room. If the purifier is in the bedroom, you should have it on overnight while you are sleeping and most models have a nighttime setting that makes it extremely quiet or even inaudible.
How Often Do I Need To Change The Filter?
Every air purifier is different and the manufacturer guidebook will indicate when it’s time to change the filter. Most HEPA filters will last 12 to 18 months and many of today’s air purifiers have an indicator to let you know when it’s time for a replacement.
Some air purifiers have a prefilter that captures the biggest particles, while other models might not have this. The filters must be cleaned every 30 days and replaced if worn out. Some purifiers also have a carbon filter, which needs to be replaced every three to six months.
Does An Air Purifier Require Maintenance?
Other than maintaining the filters, an air purifier requires no other maintenance.
Air Purifier For Mold Conclusion
Air purifiers help maintain the air quality inside your home and office. The methods for safeguarding against mold growth include prevention efforts and remediation. This is why you want the best air purifier money can buy. Fortunately, finding one at an affordable price is easy.
Air purifiers are energy efficient and are good for large room. They get rid of mold in your home by using UV lamps and carbon filters. In many ways, an air purifier for mold is a germ guardian. The purifier attacks airborne particles that aren’t visible to the naked eye.
If you have mold spores and you want to remove them, Google home mold spores removal, and you’ll find instructions on how to do it. However, the goal is to prevent mold growth so mold spores won’t develop in your living room, for example. And one way, or perhaps the perfect solution, is to use a smart air purifier that specifically targets mold.
When you protect the air quality inside your home, you also protect your family and your home’s structure. When you have the best air purifier, you can sleep well at night knowing that you won’t have mold in your home.
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