Best Air Purifier Filter for Pet Allergens

Air purifiers are great for cleaning allergens and bacteria from the air in your house or office. However, if you are allergic to pet hair, or if you plan to use a purifier to cut back on the time you have to clean pet hair, you must select the proper air purifier filter.

An air purifier uses a vacuum fan to take in dirty air. It then processes the air through a combination of filters and releases it into the room in a cleaner state. The most common type of filter is a HEPA (high efficiency particle air) filter, which clears particles of dust and other allergens from the air. More expensive purifiers often also contain filters that ionize particulates with an electric charge, making them easier to filter out of the air.

If you struggle with allergies to pet hair and dander, an air purifier can help to reduce allergens in the air and, subsequently, lessen the effects of the allergy. People who are allergic to pet hair may actually be allergic to three different kinds of things, each presenting their own problems.

Pet Hair Allergies

Pet hair is large enough to clean up by hand, but a good air filter can help to reduce the amount of hair floating about. An air purifier with a HEPA filter will capture a certain amount of the hair. More importantly than the type of filter, however, is the intake fan on the purifier. A purifier with a large, powerful intake fan will do a much better job of eliminating pet hair from the air, although it may make some noise.

To reduce the amount of pet hair in your house, combine a powerful air purifier with regular vacuuming. The purifier will only capture hair that is floating through the air, not hair that has stuck to furniture, clothing and other surfaces. By vacuuming regularly and using an air purifier, you can dramatically reduce the amount of pet hair in your home.

Pet Dander Allergies

HEPA air filters are effective at removing pet dander particles from the air. These particles are too small to be cleaned up manually. Again, an air filter will only pick up airborne particles, so you should also vacuum regularly.

Pet Saliva Allergies

Allergies to pet saliva are relatively common. While HEPA filters are not particularly effective at controlling pet saliva in the home, air purifiers with ultraviolet filters designed to neutralize bacteria may help to reduce the effects of this type of allergen.

Air purifiers that use activated carbon are helpful in reducing pet smells from the air. The carbon filter absorbs the smell of pets, leaving the air cleaner and fresher.

In addition to reducing pet hair, air purifiers are also helpful in maintaining pure oxygen levels and eliminating other allergens like dust and pollen. A quality filter can improve the air quality in a home dramatically. Best of all, purifiers will not cause your pets distress or harm. If you do choose to buy an air purifier, make sure to read the instructions carefully and replace or clean the necessary filters regularly to ensure the highest quality filtration.

Need an air purifier? Compare brands, types and prices with our Air Purifiers Buyer's Guide.