Air purifiers are an excellent addition to a home office. For us women who want to take measures to keep the office clean, an air purifier is an option to consider. The next question is, what to know when buying one of these devices?
The Environmental Protection Agency states indoor air purifiers help reduce airborne pollutants, but it’s always best to get to the source of the issue. Ventilating the office with clean outdoor air will also help remove these pollutants.
Many folks are disappointed when they buy an air purifier because they assume it will remove all particles from the room. Sadly, these particles cannot be cleared when they have settled on a surface. Only dusting and cleaning will do that.
With that said, air purifiers can help some people by removing fine particles, including smoke, pet dander, and pollen. That cleaner air may help you feel better. Who will benefit the most from having an air purifier in the home office?
Who may benefit from an air purifier in the home office?
Let’s look at the main groups of people who may benefit from using one. Of course, everyone is different, and that includes your house environment, so results are not guaranteed.
Individuals with Respiratory Issues
If you’re a woman who has asthma, allergies, or other respiratory issues, you may find adding an air purifier to your work-from-home setup is helpful. You may sneeze and cough less, for example. When choosing the air purifier, consider selecting one that uses a HEPA filter. These filters catch 99.7% of particles bigger than 3 micrometers. Avoid those air purifiers that say there HEPA-like or HEPA-style.
Pet Owners
No pet is truly hypoallergenic. Many dogs don’t shed but release skin and dander into the air. Furthermore, every animal’s coat collects pollen and dust. A high-quality air purifier with a pre-filter to catch the big stuff like pet hair can benefit the home, whether it’s your work area or elsewhere. Once the hair has been removed with the pre-filter, other particles are seen by the primary HEPA filter. Ideally, look for a machine with a carbon or charcoal filter to trap any odors associated with their pets.
Smoke
Smokers may seek an air purifier to reduce the adverse health effects associated with cigarette smoke, as may those who get secondhand smoke. People often assume they can open a window and reduce the negative effects of the smoke; however, that’s not often the case. A HEPA air purifier can catch fine matter; smoke is one of the smallest particles that these machines can capture.
Multiple Household Members
When several people live in a household, it’s hard to control how others behave. If they don’t declutter and bring dirt, dust, and other pollutants into the home, it can become an air-quality issue. Installing an air purifier in the home office can help reduce the number of contaminants in the space and the amount of cleaning needed.
Improving Air Quality in the Home
Individuals may take other steps to improve home air quality. Cleaning the house regularly will help remove particles that have settled on surfaces. Proper ventilation is necessary, and consider opening windows to allow fresh air into the house.
Wash bed sheets regularly to remove dust mites and pet dander too. Avoid burning candles, incense, and other scented products in the home, as they negatively impact indoor air quality. Using a dehumidifier in the house’s damp areas can help control indoor humidity too.
While an air purifier cannot resolve all air quality issues, it may help reduce the number of pollutants in the home. That can make the device an important part of a healthier home, especially in the office there, where you spend a lot of time. Breathing easier can make for a better quality of life!
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels.