Using an air purifier is a great way to reduce dust’s impact in your home. While air purifiers can’t entirely eliminate a dust problem, they definitely lower the amount of dust particles in your home and give you cleaner, healthier air to breathe.
In fact, according to the EPA, indoor pollution caused by dust and other contaminants affects more than 95 percent of all buildings in the United States. Thankfully, we can use certain types of air purifiers to remove this dust (and nasty odors).
However, a dust problem is not something that every air purifier can handle. This guide will take you through which air purifiers can remove dust, so you can know which ones are worth investing in.
How Air Purifiers Eliminate Dust
An air purifier can remove dust that is floating or circulating in the air of your home.
Although, it can’t completely solve the problem of dust.
You’ll obviously still need to remove dust by sweeping, cleaning, or vacuuming the floor as well.
While an air purifier can’t remove all the dust particles, it can greatly reduce household dust especially when used regularly.
Even the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) encourages us to use air purifiers to remove dangerous particles in the air, such as dust.
However, you’ll need a specific kind of air purifier to remove dust because air purifiers work differently, and not all of them can get rid of dust.
The following factors determine whether or not an air purifier can filter out dust particles from your home’s air:
Good CADR rating
The clean air delivery rate (CADR) is the speed with which the purifier can cycle all of the air in a recommended space in a certain amount of time. The ‘Clean Air Delivery Rates,’ or CADRs, of air purifiers, differ.
Air purifiers with a high CADR have a faster impact than those with a lower CADR.
A higher CADR means the air purifier filters faster and more effectively.
This makes it better suited to removing dust particles even in bigger rooms.
Filter types and filtration stages
An air purifier’s filter has a lot to do with how effective it is at removing substances from the air, which in our case is dust.
A dust air purifier should have a HEPA filter to safely and effectively filter dust particles and pollutants. True HEPA filters catch dust, preventing it from re-entering and flowing back into the atmosphere.
The number of filtration stages and the type of filters used in each stage are also important in air purifiers designed to filter dust.
A pre-filter for large particles and a true HEPA filter for small particles are needed for effective dust air purifiers. Regardless of how many filters the purifier has, the HEPA and pre-filters are the most important.
Some air purifier manufacturers, also use carbon filters, which has the added benefit of getting rid of odors as well.
Ionizer pins
Ionizer pins are not found on all air purifiers. However, having an air purifier with ionizer pins will help in the capture of dust and dust mites.
These air purifiers filter the air using ion mechanisms. It produces negative ions that bind to positive ions, causing contaminants like dust, germs, and dust mites to become heavy and fall to the ground.
Note: In order to be safe to use, the air purifier with an ionizer feature must meet the California Air Resources Board (CARB) ozone emission concentration limit criteria.
Fan speed
High quality air purifiers have multiple fan speeds, and their speed levels can usually be adjusted manually.
Dust can be removed more efficiently with an air purifier that has an an adjustable fan speed. This is because if there’s a lot of dust in the air, a higher fan speed will help trap it faster.
The Top 8 Air Purifiers For Dust Removal
Here are the top 8 air purifiers for dust removal, feel free to click on the images or links for more information on Amazon about each air purifier.
1. Alen Breathesmart 75i Air Purifier
The Alen 75i Air Purifier has a B7-pure filter that helps to reduce asthma and allergy triggers by removing 99.99 percent dust, bacteria, aerosolized viruses, and airborne particles larger than 0.1 microns with its medical-grade H13 True HEPA layer. True HEPA filters filter dust, dander, allergens, pet fur, and odors and last 3 to 5 months longer than ordinary filters.
It also features 5 air quality colors that reflect the room’s air quality, as it cleans 1300 sq. ft. every 30 minutes while quickly removing airborne pollutants.
Pros:
- CADR rating is 347.
- Energy star certified.
- Quiet.
- Long filter life.
Cons:
- Slightly more expensive than some other purifiers (but it does has a higher CADR and coverage)
2. Coway Airmega AP-1512HH
The Coway Airmega AP-1512HH is a True HEPA air purifier with a four-stage filtration system that collects and removes up to 99.97 percent of 0.3 micron particles in the air, such as dust, pollen, pollution, and other allergens. It also decreases odor and volatile organic pollutants.
The Coway also features a washable and permanent pre-filter, designed to collect bigger dust particles. This brand aids asthma and allergy sufferers by trapping airborne particles such as dust, pet dander, and mold that can aggravate asthma and allergies.
Its brightly colored LED indicates how clean or unclean your indoor air is every minute of the day, and the fan will automatically stop and enter Eco mode to save energy if no pollution is detected for 30 minutes.
Pros:
- CADR dust reading of 246.
- Accommodate room sizes up to 361 sq. ft
- Has a vital ionizer.
- 3 fan speeds.
- Auto mode.
Cons:
- Noisy.
3. Whirlpool Whispure True Hepa Air Purifier
Whirlpool‘s Whispure WPPRO2000M is a true HEPA air purifier. Household dust, pet dander, mold spores, and plant pollen are all captured by its true HEPA filter, which captures 99.97 percent of dust and allergens as small as 0.3 millimeters.
It has a three-stage filtering system that includes a washable pre-filter, a true HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter that helps you breathe freely while reducing odors.
Pros:
- CADR rating is 328.
- Has smart auto mode.
- Suitable for larger rooms.
- 4.8 air changes per hour.
- Programmable timer.
- Removes odors.
- Quiet operation.
Cons:
- Replacement filters are expensive.
4. Hathaspace air purifier
Hathaspace’s air purifier is a 5-in-1 device with a four-stage filter and an optional ionizer which makes it suitable to remove dust from the environment.
It has a real HEPA air filter that captures 99.97% of dust, and other particles as small as 0.3 microns and a honeycomb activated carbon filter that absorbs smells, smoke, and VOCs.
Pros:
- CADR rating of 450.
- Has an optional ionizer.
- Covers larger rooms.
- Has high-quality filter.
- 3 fan speeds.
- Quiet.
Cons:
- Filters can be hard to get.
5. Blueair Blue Pure 211+ Air Purifier.
Blueair Blue Pure 211+ Air Purifier is a 3 in 1 filtration system air purifier with hand and machine washable fabric pre-filters.
It comes with two washable pre-filters, an activated carbon filter, and a true HEPA filter that can filter out 99.97% of airborne pollutants such as dust, viruses, pollen, pet dander, mold, and bacteria.
Pros:
- 350 cfm CADR rating.
- Covers larger rooms of up to 540 ft² .
- 5 air changes per hour.
- One button control.
- Has an Energy Star, ETL, and CARB certifications.
- Quiet.
- Eliminates odors.
Cons:
- Some reviewers complain of it being bigger than it looks.
6. Medify MA-112
The Medify MA-112 is a dual HEPA H13 filtration air purifier that removes 99.9% of dust particles down to 0.1 microns in size, including smells, smoke, pet dander, dust, and more.
It’s ideal for big spaces up to 3,700 sq ft in one hour and 2,500 sq ft in 30 minutes.
Pros:
- Has an Energy Star, ETL, and CARB certifications.
- CADR rating of 950.
- Has ionizer pins.
- Quiet.
- 4 fan speeds.
- Filter replacement indicator.
- Child lock.
Plentiful Air has more information on Medify air purifiers that can remove mold available here.
7. Honeywell HPA300 air purifier
The Honeywell HPA300 is a four-stage filtration air purifier that can filter 99.97% of minuscule allergens and particles, especially dust, pollen, pet dander, dust mite detritus, and smoke.
The Honeywell HPA300 Air Purifier contains an activated carbon prefilter and a true HEPA filter that helps filter and circulate air in rooms up to 465 square feet up to 4.8 times per hour.
Pros:
- CADR rating of 320 cfm.
- Has an Energy Star rating.
- Can cover larger rooms.
- 3 power settings
- Automatic shut-off timer
- Features a filter change indicator
Cons:
- Noisy.
8. Winix 5500-2 air purifier
The Winix 5500-2 is a True-HEPA filter, which collects 99.97 percent of airborne pollutants such as dust, dust mites, pet dander, pollen, and other allergens as small as 0.3 microns.
A washable fine mesh pre-filter, a washable carbon filter comprised of activated carbon granules for odor elimination, and a HEPA filter are also included.
It also has PlasmaWave technology, which also helps destroy microorganisms in the air.
Pros:
- CADR rating for dust is 243 cfm.
- Clean Air Changes per Hour is 5.
- Quiet.
- Comes with 4 Replacement Filters.
Related Information
How long does it take for an air purifier to remove dust?
An air purifier can take anywhere from 10 minutes to 3 hours to remove dust from a room, depending on several factors. These factors are the clean air changes rate, model type, amount of dust, filter type on the device, and the size of the room that needs to be purified.
However, this doesn’t mean that you should turn off your air purifier after a few hours of use.
Airborne contaminants never stop circulating in your air and using an air purifier for a few hours won’t supply you with clean air for the rest of the day.
Plentiful Air has more information on the pros and cons of running an air purifier 24/7 available here.
Examples of different air purifiers with the time they take to remove dust in the room:
| Name | CADR rate | Time | Clean air changes per hour | Area (sq. ft) |
| Levoit smart | 230 | 13mins | 4.8 | 900 |
| Hathaspace | 450 | 30mins | 2 | 700 |
| Blueair blue | 350 | 12mins | 5 | 540 |
| Whirlpool WPPRO2000M | 328 | 13mins | 4.8 | 508 |
Why it’s important to eliminate dust
There are two types of indoor air pollutants: biological and chemical.
Dust is classified as a biological contaminant.
Staying in a dusty environment is not good for you, and people with allergies and asthma are especially vulnerable. It’s particularly harmful to inhale excessive amounts of dust, which is why dust elimination is so important.
Dusting around the home is important too, as it lowers your chances of becoming sick or developing allergies. Dust, allergies, germs, and bacteria will have fewer hiding spots if you dust regularly.
However, dust can be sneaky and has a way of hiding in your bedding, carpeting, and upholstery.
Chemical particles, such as pesticides and other harmful compounds found in and around your home, are also present in dust, and exposure to them may result in long-term health concerns.
There are many types of dust, including:
- Dirt: Dirt is the most visible type of dust in the home, and it contributes significantly to the outdoor environment. For instance, it can be carried into the house on the bottoms of shoes.
- Skin cells: Dead skin cells are another component of dust in your home. We shed tens of thousands of skin cells every minute, with even more excreted by scratching your body.
- Dust mites: Dust mites are tiny pests that live and thrive in humid settings. Your bedding, carpeting, and curtains are the most likely places for it to hide.
- Pet dander: Pet dander is made up of microscopic particles of skin that are shed by animals such as cats and dogs. It is another common allergen found in dust, and even if you do not have a pet, your visitors may bring them home with them on their clothing.
- Food particles: Another source of dust in your home is food particles. Food dust is generated when you eat something and then drop it on the table or floor. Take, for example, bread. Food splatters circulate throughout the house as dust particles when you sweep them up.
- Bacteria and Mold: Mold and bacteria grow in damp environments. Bacteria and mold are more likely to invade your home if it is constantly damp or has poor ventilation. Mold can thrive if left neglected, releasing spores that will be inhaled as dust.
- Pollen: Pollen is an extremely prevalent allergen that is usually transported into the house from the outside. Trees, flowers, and grasses produce pollen, and because it is light, it can easily travel from the outdoors to the inside, as well as attach to your clothing and hair.
Is dust harmful to your health?
Dust is detrimental to health, especially if you are allergic or asthmatic. It can cause sinusitis, nasal congestion, watery eyes, fever, coughing, sneezing, headaches, itchy throat, and runny nose. Other effects of dust include trouble breathing, chest tightness, wheezing, and asthma attacks.
The EPA has also funded research into how young children are affected by dust because they’re usually the ones playing on the ground/floor and also putting their fingers (and other objects) with dust into their mouths.
In most people, breathing low levels of household dust doesn’t trigger health problems. However, anyone who is exposed to excessive quantities of dust may be impacted, and the longer you breathe in the dust, the more likely it is to affect your health.
In some cases, dust in your home might make you sick, especially if you have allergies or asthma. Even if you’re not sensitive to dust, exposure to it on a regular basis can be damaging to your health. The effects of dust include:
Effects of dust on allergic people
- Allergic reactions
- Sinusitis
- Nasal congestion
- Watery eyes
- Fever
- Cough
- Sneezing
- Headaches
- Itchy throat
- Runny nose
Effects of dust on people with asthma triggered by dust allergy
- Trouble breathing
- Chest tightness
- Wheezing
- Asthma attacks
Effects of dust on non-allergic and non-asthmatic people
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Exhaustion
