One of the most common uses for air purifiers is to keep mold from getting a foothold in homes. Some buyers also wonder whether they can use their air purifiers to remove mold that has already established itself. While air purifiers can play a role in mold remediation, there’s much more to it than just plugging in your air purifier. Here’s what you need to know about using air purifiers for mold removal.
What Can Air Purifiers Do to Combat Mold?
Air purifiers target mold by removing the spores mold uses to reproduce from the air. These spores are the mechanism by which mold can spread from one place to another within your home. By removing mold spores, you can limit the spread of mold. This is also why air purifiers are effective for keeping mold out of homes in the first place.
What Air Purifiers Can’t Do
While using an air purifier to remove mold spores is obviously helpful, it’s only one component of getting mold out of your home. An air purifier can’t do anything to target mold that is already growing inside of your home. While it can prevent spread, established mold growth must be targeted directly.
How Can You Get Rid of Mold in Your Home?
If you have severe mold in your home, it’s usually best to contact a mold remediation specialist. Mold can work its way into practically any nook or cranny in a house, sometimes establishing itself in attics, basements or even behind walls. Mold that is spread throughout your home often requires professional treatment.
If you have a more localized mold problem, you may be able to deal with it on your own. There are several DIY treatments for home mold that are both safe and effective. A weak mixture of bleach and water, typically one cup of bleach for each gallon of water, is one of the most commonly used methods for getting rid of mold. Other handy techniques include treating with laundry detergent, borax solution or white vinegar.
What Kind of Air Purifier Is Best for Removing Mold Spores?
As you can see, an air purifier is a good tool for preventing mold in your home and keeping existing mold from spreading to other areas. For maximum impact, though, you need to pick the right kind of air purifier. The basic HEPA filter found in many home air purifiers is quite effective at removing mold spores, as they are solid particles. Spores become trapped in the filter material, preventing them from spreading throughout your home.
For extra protection, you can use a UV air purifier. These units feature UV germicidal lamps that neutralize biological contaminants, including mold spores. The combination of UV and HEPA systems makes for the best air purifiers for removing mold spores.
Below, you’ll find some of our top picks for addressing mold spores in the home:
- Field Controls TRIO Pro
- Airpura I600 (UV available as optional upgrade)
- AllerAir AirMedic Pro 6
Each of these air purifiers features both HEPA and UV filtration capabilities. However, a standard HEPA air purifier can still do a good job of removing mold spores from the air. Browse our complete selection of home air purifiers to find the model that’s right for you.
Have questions about using air purifiers to remove mold spores or which purifier is right for you? We’re here to help! Feel free to contact us for answers and product recommendations based on your unique needs.