How to Clean an Ionic Air Purifier

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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Ionic air filters provide a way to purify air in a home by using electrostatic attraction. This electrostatic attraction is created across metal plates within a filter that holds the pollutants. In order to keep your purifier running efficiently, it is important that you clean the filters as they become overly filled with debris from the passing air. There are two other types of ionic purifiers that do not require cleaning: negative ionizers that cause dust to stick to furniture and the floor where you will need to clean it from; and media-charged filter ionizers that require frequent filter changes rather than cleaning.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Power off and unplug the unit.
Step 2

Remove the metal air filter plates. Refer to the manufacturer's documentation for the unit for the specific filter removal process. The removal mechanism for this filter is usually marked clearly on the unit.
Step 3

Rinse the filter plates under warm water. The debris will come off easily in most circumstances. A light wipe with a paper towel or sponge will remove any remaining debris. Some models may require simply wiping with a damp cloth.
Step 4

Dry the plates thoroughly. Use a lint-free cloth for this step or simply allow the filter plates to air dry for several hours.
Step 5

Reinstall the filter into the unit.
Step 6

Your unit may also require that the internal ionizing wires be cleaned. A cleaning mechanism is usually provided with the unit that can be slid up and down on the wires to clean off the particles and then be placed back into its holder. This should be done every two weeks or as recommended by the manufacturer.
Step 7

Plug the unit back in and turn it on to continue use.

Tips & Warnings

For optimal performance the unit should be cleaned on a regular basis, such as once a month or more often if it is very dusty in your home.
The ionizers that use electrostatic attraction are more recommended than the negative ionizers as they actually use a filter to collect the particles. An ionizer with a fan to help move the air over the metal plates will be more useful than other models.
If you hear a loud buzzing sound, this is an indication that the unit should be cleaned. Do not return the filter unit to the machine if there is any water left on it, as water could damage the internal mechanism.