One of the many common questions we see people asking about air purifiers is “Will an air purifier remove mold spores?” While this may seem like a simple question, there’s a little more nuance to it than you might expect. Let’s take a look at whether an air purifier can remove mold spores and what kind of air purifier you need for this purpose.
First, Let’s Answer the Question
The simple answer to this question is yes, an air purifier can filter mold spores out of the air. With that said, not all air purifiers are equipped to do this. To remove spores, an air purifier needs to have a HEPA filter, which is a type of filter used to remove solid particles from the air. On average, a mold spore is between 10 and 30 microns in diameter. A HEPA filter, meanwhile, must be able to remove particles as small as 0.3 microns at an efficiency of at least 99.97 percent. Because of this requirement, air purifiers with HEPA filters can actually remove mold spores quite easily.
Some air purifiers, however, aren’t equipped with filters meant to capture solid particles. Generally, these purifiers are specialized units meant to focus exclusively on gases or VOCs in the air. While most general-use air purifiers do have a HEPA filter, it’s important to keep in mind that not every air purifier on the market will have the ability to remove mold spores. Many air purifiers also combine HEPA filters with gas-focused filtration. These combination air purifiers can be very useful for dealing with mold, since they can help to remove airborne mold toxins as well as spores.
Will an Air Purifier Get Rid of Mold Growing in Your House?
Although an air purifier with a HEPA filter will remove mold spores, it won’t get rid of established mold already growing in your home. For that, you’ll need either thorough cleaning or professional mold remediation. For more information about dealing with mold infestations in your home check out this blog post from us about household mold and how to get rid of it.
What Are the Best Air Purifiers for Mold Spore Removal?
Now that we’ve answered the question of will an air purifier remove mold spores, let’s take a look at a few of the units that are best for this application. Some of our top picks for mold spores include:
You can also check out one of our older posts about the best air purifiers for mold to learn more. In that article, we offer in-depth looks at a total of 6 air purifiers that we believe are among the best for dealing with mold spores in home air.
Mold can pose health risks and do damage to your property if it gets established and begins to grow. With the right air purifier, though, you can keep mold spores out of your air and prevent it from getting a foothold in the first place. Whether you’re dealing with existing mold issues or simply trying to protect your home from new infestations, using an air purifier can help to eliminate harmful spores from the air you breathe.
Have more questions about using air purifiers to help keep your home air free of mold? We’re here to help! Feel free to contact us with your questions, and we’ll be happy to help you find the right purifier for your needs.