How to Clean a Honeywell Air Purifier Filter: Step by Step

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Bella is a skilled copywriter who holds a degree in English studies. Her lifelong passion for decor and interior design is evident in her work, which is inspired by the beau read more
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Last updated: September 13, 2023
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Clean air is something we all take for granted but even if the air in our homes seems clean, there are actually miniscule amounts of dust, pollen, allergens, and even mold floating around. Too much of this is obviously not good, which is why air filters are used. In fact, air filters are often recommended to help allergy-proof your home Trusted Source Allergy-proof your home - Mayo Clinic Don’t let pet, dust, mold or pollen allergies make you miserable in your own home. Room by room, you can take these steps to have an allergen-free abode. www.mayoclinic.org . Honeywell is one of the best brands for this job but in order for it to work continuously, you need to know how to clean Honeywell air purifier filter. Air filters need to be changed because they work by trapping impurities. Once trapped, filers become less effective, this necessitating the need to change them. Read on to know all the steps necessary to clean your Honeywell air filter.

There are 2 types of filters in your Honeywell air purifier:

First, you need to know exactly what type of filter you have in your Honeywell air purifier. There are many models that Honeywell makes, so check your air purifier to see if it is a permanent pre-filter or a replacement filter.

Permanent pre-filter

How to Clean a Honeywell Air Purifier Filter: Step by Step

If you have a permanent pre-filter then this needs to be cleaned on a regular basis. It is permanent, so you don’t have to replace it, saving you money and saving the environment as well.

Replacement filter

How to Clean a Honeywell Air Purifier Filter: Step by Step

If you have a replacement filter, then this means you will need to replace it with a brand new replacement filter. While costlier, it is more convenient and will save you time.

How do you know it’s time to clean a filter?

Honeywell recommends that you clean your filter every three months. This time amount allows the filter to do its job but doesn’t get so dirty as to be useless at the end. For example, the Honeywell QuietClean captures 99% of fine particles, and these need to be removed from your filter.

If you are worried about external factors clogging your filter, you can always check it and decide to clean it earlier. For example, if there are forest fires in your area, the ash and smoke may necessitate cleaning your filter earlier than you had planned.

How to clean a permanent filter

Here are the steps to take to clean your permanent Honeywell filter. While it may look like a lot of steps, they are actually quite easy to follow.

1.     Turn the air purifier off

First, be sure to turn your air purifier off. This seems like a simple step but it is often forgotten. You will be moving your filter around and you don’t want to mess up any of the mechanics. The power switch should be found under the grille of the air purifier.

2.     Remove the filter

How to Clean a Honeywell Air Purifier Filter: Step by Step

Again, this may seem obvious but the next step is to remove your filter. You need to have access to both the air purifier and the filter and removing it gives you this access.

3.     Vacuum the interior and the filter

While your main purpose of this exercise is to clean your filter, because you are getting into the unit, you might as well give it a thorough clean. Dust and extra debris can accumulate, so give the interior of your air purifier a good vacuum. Use the hose extension to get into all the nooks and crannies.

You can also use the vacuum to give the air filter a quick clean. This removes some of the larger particles, making the next steps easier.

4.     Rinse

Before we get to the next step of washing, give the whole filter a quick rinse. This will loosen any debris and get rid of some of the accumulation. If your sink is too small for this step, you can always take it outside and use a garden hose. Just make sure you place a towel on the ground so that it doesn’t become dirtier in the process.

5.     Wash

Finally, it’s time to actually wash your air filter. To do this, you can use a soft dish soap or a soap recommended by the manufacturer. It should not have any harsh chemicals. A soft sponge or microfiber cloth will be sensitive enough for the filter and not too abrasive.

While you may be tempted to use bleach to eliminate bacteria, soap will be plenty effective, so don’t use bleach.

6.     Dry

Almost as equally as important as the washing step is the drying step. Your filter needs to be completely dry before it is placed back in the unit. Set your filter in a well-ventilated area so that it will dry faster.

7.     Put it back in place

After your filter has been properly cleaned and washed, it’s time to put everything back together. Don’t forget to turn the unit back on afterwards.

Can I clean a True HEPA filter?

Yes, you can clean a True HEPA filter, like the one featured in this Honeywell Allergen Remover. Just be sure to check if it is washable. If it is, then you can use water to rinse it. However, if the HEPA filter is permanent, then it can’t get wet and instead should be cleaned via a vacuum.

Caution:

Air filters are made from sensitive materials, so don’t use a sharp object to try to scrape away debris.

Final thoughts

While many people simply plug in their air purifier and forget about them, they are far more effective when they are cleaned on a regular basis. Aim to clean your filter every three months. This way, it won’t accumulate too much debris and therefore will be easier to clean. When it comes to understanding how to clean Honeywell air purifier filter, there are easy steps to follow. Start by turning off your machine and removing the filter. Give everything a good vacuum, including the interior of the unit. Then, using a sensitive soap and a soft cloth, give the filter a good clean before letting it dry completely. Finally, you can reassemble the unit and be confident in the quality of your air.

References

1.
Allergy-proof your home - Mayo Clinic
Don’t let pet, dust, mold or pollen allergies make you miserable in your own home. Room by room, you can take these steps to have an allergen-free abode.

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