Do Air Purifiers Help with Mold?

Does your home suffer from mold or mildew? The presence of black mold on walls and mold spores in the air can cause serious health problems, so it’s no wonder why people are turning to air purifiers for a solution. But do all air purifiers help with mold and mildew? Or are some better equipped than others?

Given that inhalation is the primary way that people are exposed to mold, air purifiers are a very effective tool for removing and preventing mold from developing into a whole-home problem. In this article, we’ll help you learn more about indoor mold, how a black mold air purifier can help, and the different types of mold air purifiers you should be aware of.

Air Purifier vs Mold — Let's dig in

Household mold and mildew are a type of fungus that grows in damp environments. It can sprout up anywhere inside your home and spread rapidly if not taken care of. Given mold spores primarily enter your home through open doors and windows or attach themselves to clothing and pets, it can be almost impossible to prevent them from entering your home.

The main concern with mold is ingesting mold spores which can be detrimental to your health. These spores are very tiny and lightweight, so they can float in the air for long periods until you breathe them in. Once inside the body, mold spores can cause many health problems, from respiratory issues to headaches, as well as allergies and difficulty breathing for asthma sufferers. It’s important to be aware that some people are more sensitive to mold than others and may experience more severe symptoms than someone who is not.

Do All Air Purifiers Help with Mold?

Getting rid of black mold and mold spores is difficult. Mold and mildew can spread rapidly once introduced to an environment and can be the root cause of mold allergies, asthma, and other respiratory problems in your home.

But to understand how air purifiers help with mold, you need to first understand how they work to cleanse the air.

The majority of air purifiers remove mold by using a fan built within the unit to suck mold spores in and capture them with a built-in filter before they can settle on surfaces in your home and multiply. Trapping these mold particles before they take hold in damp places in your home is key to preventing a serious problem in the future. Leading to a much cleaner and healthier environment in which to live.

But not all air purifiers are great at removing mold and depending on the type of air purifier you purchase, some will be more effective than others.

Do HEPA Filters Remove Mold? 3 Types of Filters that Help!

There are many different types of air purifiers for sale that claim to remove mold spores and mildew; each with its unique features and benefits. Below we’ve outlined the three most popular types you’ll see in your search:

• HEPA Air Purifiers: HEPA air purifiers use high-efficiency particulate air filters to remove up to 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns from the air. These filters are extremely effective at removing black mold spores and other airborne pollutants like dust.
• UV-C Air Purifiers: UV-C air purifiers use ultraviolet light to kill mold and other types of bacteria. These air purifiers are very good at eliminating mold spores.
• Activated Carbon Air Purifiers: Activated carbon air purifiers use densely packed, activated carbon to soak in odors and chemicals from the air.

While they are not as good at removing mold spores as HEPA or UV-C air purifiers, they are best used for eliminating odors that come with a moldy environment (like a basement).

It’s important to note, depending on the severity of the mold problem you’re looking to solve, it’s reasonable to find an air purifier with multiple filter types in one. For example, an air purifier can be equipped with a HEPA filter to capture mold spores and dust, while also carrying an activated carbon filter to get rid of mold-related odors like mildew.

Will an Air Purifier Help with Mold Smell? 

Before you go out and buy an air purifier, it’s important to think about what you’ll be using it for. In the case of household mold and mildew, HEPA air purifiers are the most effective.

HEPA air filters are built with layers of fine fibers to trap airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns in size. A mold spore is typically between 5 microns or less, so a HEPA filter is perfect for mold.

In comparison, UV air purifiers are less expensive but don’t do nearly as well at removing mold spores. They use UV light to vaporize mold, bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms like dust mites but they don’t actively pull in moldy particles to reduce their presence in the air.

You’ll also see activated carbon filters in your hunt. Activated carbon air purifiers don’t trap mold spores either. The carbon is used to soak in moldy smells like mildew, as well as remove harmful chemicals and gases from the air.

If your goal is to get an air purifier to help with mold, then a HEPA air purifier is going to get the job done best. Once you’ve determined the appropriate air purifier, you’ll want to ensure it can service the space in your home you need it to clean.

Pro Tip: Air purifiers are made to cleanse certain square footage, not a whole home with multiple rooms. When choosing an air purifier, make sure to get one that’s advertised to service a room at least 1.5x the square footage you need. This will allow it to clean the air much more quickly and efficiently leading to a healthier environment in which to live.

Do Air Purifiers Help with Mold Spores and More?

Yes, an air purifier is proven to be very effective at removing mold spores. Capturing mold particles in the air and preventing them from spreading to various spaces in your home, can be an essential tool to helping you live a happier and healthier life.

However, it’s important to remember that while air purifiers can greatly improve indoor air quality, regular deep cleaning with detergent and water, and ensuring problem areas are well-ventilated are still necessary to prevent mold and mildew problems in the future.

Want to purchase a HEPA air purifier for mold spores, but don’t know where to start? Check out our latest list of the best air purifiers for mold to find the perfect unit for you.

Still, have questions? Speak with our team of world-class air purifier experts at (877) 791-8083 or send us an email at support@wellnesjunction.com and we’d be happy to help.