How to Find the Best Air Purifier for Your Home

Air Purifier Tip! For any air purifier, it is most important to locate it near the most activity or traffic flow so that there is plenty of air circulation around the air filter. This will increase the air exchange rate and make the air cleaning more efficient.

An air purifier can perform wonders for your home. Air purifiers do battle with anything airborne and unwanted, such as odors, bacteria and germs, and leave your home with clean, pure, and healthy air.

Once you start living with an air purifier you’ll wonder how you ever survived without it. More and more home owners are opting to purchase an air purifier as they become more and more aware and concerned about the quality of the air they breathe day in, day out.

How do the best air purifiers work?

Air purifiers work by replacing the air in your home with clean and filtered air. They remove particles in the air, such as dust, by drawing air through their filters. Unwanted particles get trapped in machine’s filter, and what is circulated back into your home is pure, clean air.

How to find the best air purifier?

Air Purifier Tip! The HEPA filter is the air purifier industry standard, despite air filtration with technologies other than HEPA which are selling well. The HEPA air filter, where properly deployed, has a long record of safety and effectiveness.

There are many air purifiers on the market and many different manufactures. Keeping track of new developments in air purification technology is difficult. Before you buy, always do a bit of research about the product and the manufacturer.

If you are buying in-store, prepare questions and make an appointment with the salesperson so that you can be completely informed about product features.

If you are buying online, then try to read reviews of each product before you buy. Online stores such as Amazon.com do provide this review service. Some of the better manufacturers are Honeywell, GE, Whirlpool, Alpine, Living Air and Bionaire, amongst others. Visit the manufacturer’s website and download product features and specifications, which you should study before making your final choice.

 

   

Dylan Miles, journalist, and website builder, lives in Texas. He is the owner and co-editor of http://www.kitchendesigning.info on which you will find a longer, more detailed version of this article.

How to Choose an Air Purifier

Air Purifier Tip! You may think a whole house air purifiers costs a lot of money. In fact, they are expensive, but not as expensive as you are thinking.

Choosing an air purifier is a daunting task, especially if it’s your first. Many buyers are disappointed when the product chosen does not seem to solve their particular problem.

The air purifier industry is unregulated. There are really no standards, and what passes for standards is often self-serving. Many consumers are confused by the many technologies available, and will try to select a particular technology or brand right away. This may not be the best approach.

The following points are a suggested analytical framework.

First, the new product should do no harm. Lots of people are astonished to learn that many air cleaners emit harmful gasses. Ozone is used as a fumigant by professional mold remediators. It oxidizes chemicals, odors and microorganisms when pumped into closed rooms in high concentrations.

Air purifiers have evolved which emit chronic ozone, at lower levels. This has become popular, and many users like the fresh smell. Many also report improved allergy/asthma symptoms when using ozone emitting air purifiers.

Air Purifier Tip! The HEPA filter is the air purifier industry standard, despite air filtration with technologies other than HEPA which are selling well. The HEPA air filter, where properly deployed, has a long record of safety and effectiveness.

Ozone is a persistent chemical in indoor air, it accumulates and lasts for days, not hours or minutes as is often claimed. While these oxidants may kill lung dwelling microorganisms and thus relieve some people’s symptoms, long term exposure to airborne oxidants is seriously dangerous.

Everyone knows at least one beautiful person whose face has been ruined by a life of cigatette smoking. What causes those premature wrinkles, stiff, gray looking skin, and aged eyes?

Airborne oxidants!

Ozone may have value as an alternative medical therapy, but that is a whole seperate issue. Chronic administration of an experimental alternative medical technique to millions of unknowing consumers is a dangerous fraud. Chronic ozone is not a suitable method of air purification.

Many cheaper air cleaners use glues and soft plastics which outgass chemicals.

By elimination of ozone-prone and cheap plastic models, the search is narrowed considerably.

Air Purifier Tip! Many filters which do not qualify as true HEPA are disguised by terminology: HEPA-type, or HEPA-like. Air purifiers which match the efficiency standards by other means may even use the ‘H’ word on their products: HEPASilent.

Second, many people see dust accumulation on furniture and think of an air purifier as a means of reducing it. While a properly sized room air purifier will certainly do this, visible dust and most odors are not the real health threats. Often toxic chemicals are harmful at concentrations below our threshold of smell.

Serious gas and odor removal is a requirement if health benefits are expected. This raises the cost considerably, so many air purifier vendors will try to hide their product’s shortcomings. The “Clean Air Delivery Rate” (CADR) is one such subterfuge, it focuses on larger dust-sized particles and completely ignores gas poisons.

New technologies, such as photocatalytic oxidation, show promise with chemicals, but the long standing favorite is activated carbon. There needs to be lots of it, not just a coating sprayed on a foam prefilter.

Choosing an air purifier with carbon measured in pounds narrows the list considerably, but raises the price.

Third, particles much smaller than the eye can see are the real culprits. They pass through the lungs and get in the blood. Our technology grinds toxic materials into microscopic sizes, which build up invisibly in our living space. Many air purifiers, including some selling for very high prices, do not remove these tiny particles from our air. Quality construction is important; case, gaskets, seals, and precision fitting eliminate fine particle bypassing.

Air Purifier Tip! For any air purifier, it is most important to locate it near the most activity or traffic flow so that there is plenty of air circulation around the air filter. This will increase the air exchange rate and make the air cleaning more efficient.

Fourth, consider long term cost of ownership, not just initial purchase price. Some folks will take home an air cleaner only to discover that replacement filters, needed frequently, cost almost as much as the machine.

This is called the cheap air purifier loss leader filter price ripoff.

Filters should be independently replaceable. An all in one filter, with carbon and particle filtration combined, will need replacement when either media is clogged.

There are many models with average service lives under two years. Buying these “bargains” is false economy. A quality purifier can last 10 or more years.

Along with filter costs, energy use can add up. Air purifiers using over 100 Watts will add to the electric bill.

Fifth, many air purifiers produce noise levels too high for practical use. Some quiet models have air flow rates to slow to do much cleaning. This is one big area of consumer complaints. The noisy machine may clean the air when running, but ends up turned off most of the time.

Air Purifier Tip! Anyone who cares to breathe the air that is clean, healthy, and free of various pollutants and allergens should buy an air purifier for their homes. It may be either portable or non-portable, depending on the area coverage.

Bedroom noise levels need to be below about 34 decibels (dBA). Again, many vendors will hide behind assertions of “ultra-quiet” without being specific as to noise.

Sixth, who is the builder? Are they also the vendor? Manufacturers should have a track record, with many units sold and a reputation for customer service. Today, new brands are popping up, and many US vendors are just importers of Asian made equipment. Will they be around when your chosen air purifier needs warranty service?

Good air purifiers have warranties measured in years. A one year warranty is evidence of short product life or possibly financial distress.

Air Purifier Tip! There are benefits to buying whole house air purifiers. The air purifier’s unit is placed in your basement or furnace room.

There are several very successful air purification products associated with multilevel marketing, scam marketing, or credit card ripoffs on returned merchandise. Fortunately most of these disreputable vendors are eliminated by guideline number one above: most of their products are not ozone-free.

Last, is the air cleaner a good value? Is the product price supported by infomercial advertising, brand building, and hype? Or does the product stand on its own merits, the result of a long term quality engineering process?

Air purifier buyers can increase their odds of success by following a plan in choosing an air purifier.

Click for the web’s best Air Purifier Reviews.
The Author, Ed Sherbenou, is an experienced air purifier user, with 40 years of direct experience due to chemical sensitivity and severe allergies. He writes indoor air quality articles, posts blogs, and maintains a leading air purification website:

http://www.air-purifier-power.com

How To Know When You Need A Mold Removal Specialist

Some mold removal can be done without the aid of a professional, but this is only recommended for small amounts of mold.

Because breathing in mold spores can be so dangerous, you should think carefully before trying to remove it yourself.

If you go this route, find out exactly how to remove it safely, and wear protective items like a breathing mask and gloves when attempting mold removal.

There are many times when dangerous molds can build up in your home. These molds can cause sickness, and sometimes, even death. Molds tend to grow where water has been sitting for a period of time, and they thrive in humid and secluded areas.

If you have recently experienced a flood, or perhaps had a dishwasher or water heater bite the dust, you may have mold growing in your home of which you are not aware. If you find mold, it is in your best interest to look into mold removal, and the quicker, the better.

You can help prevent mold from accumulating in your home by taking some preventative measures. If you have had standing water in your home, have a mold removal specialist come by, even if you haven’t found any mold.

Use dehumidifiers to keep the air from getting too moist, and keep an eye out for slow water leaks in your home. A slow drip from a pipe onto floorboards behind your bathroom wall can result in mold growth.

If you find mold that is covering more than a square foot area, you should call for professional mold removal. Many times, the mold you can see is just the tip of the iceberg. Mold can grow in places like your heating duct system, and you would never know.

It can also grow behind your walls, and you may never really know how much is there. This is why a professional is the best option for mold removal. Not only are they knowledgeable about removing it, they are also aware of all the hiding spots. They will find and remove mold you may not have known was there.

You should always have someone look over a house for mold before you buy. They can find any mold present, and advise you on how to proceed.

If mold is found, they will know if mold removal is an option, or if it is just not worth the investment. If toxic mold spreads through a house unchecked for a number of years, even the best mold removal specialists won’t be able to save the house, and make it habitable again.

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How To Make Moving Out Of Your Home Easier

Life sometimes requires families to relocate, and when this happens, you have to think about moving out of your old home and moving into a new one.

Finding a new place to live is both frightening and fun at the same time, but moving out of an old place is always a little bittersweet. You often want to get moved out as quickly as possible, and get on with things at your new home. You have many options when moving out, and it all depends on your budget.

For those who are relocated for a job, they may have all expenses paid for them, and this will include hiring a mover for both moving out of the old place and moving into the new one. If your company doesn’t pay this for, this can be a big expense.

If your move is not necessitated by your job, you are on your own when it comes to the expense and planning of your move. If you can afford a moving company when it comes time to move, this is the best option for most people.

A good moving company will take extra care when handling your belongings. They should use the same care when moving out and when moving in. You should ask around for a referral when choosing a moving company. Some are good, and some will not be as careful as you would like.

You also have the option of moving out on your own. Many people will hire a truck for this and will do all the moving themselves. If you are planning to move out this way, you should give yourself plenty of time to do so, and plan on taking a few days off of work to get it done. When you go this route, you save a lot of money, but you have to do all the heavy lifting yourself. 

If you are moving out of a large place into a smaller one, moving out is even more complicated. If you don’t have room for all of your stuff, you have to put some of it in storage.

Today, there are a great number of companies that specialize in storage, and some will do some of the work for you. A newer company called Pods delivers a storage unit to your property. You then fill it with what you want to store, and they come pick it up for you. You can also rent a space in any number of local storage units and move the stuff yourself.

As with any task, moving out will take some planning. Remember that there is more to it then just getting your stuff out and sending it on its way. If you are moving out of a rental unit, you have to make time to clear out anything that is left over, and clean the entire unit from top to bottom. If you don’t have the time, you can hire a maid service to help you out. This may save you a lot of time with your big move, and take a lot of the stress off of your shoulders.

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How To Remove A Wine Stain

Nothing strikes fear and dread into the heart of any spot-fearing individual than a red wine stain. This classic spot has ruined more than one garment. It has been the cause of dread for homeowners who own light-colored carpeting and it has left many smiles dingy-purple.

Not every wine stain is red. You may find yourself wondering how to get rid of a white wine stain as well. The first step is to pour cold water on the affected area. This needs to be done as quickly as possible. These types of spills usually occur during a special occasion like a party and you may feel a bit rude, but it is crucial to get that cold water to the wine spot as soon as you possibly can in order to assure that it will be removed promptly.

If the white stain is on clothing or other material that can be turned inside out, pour the water from the back of the area instead of the front. Of course, this approach can?t be used on most rugs so pouring from the top is the only option for these materials. However, a blouse should be turned inside out when addressing the area.

Step two in the white wine stain removal process is to rub the fabric with laundry detergent. After applying the laundry detergent, let the fabric stand for about five to ten minutes. Dish detergent will work very well with this, too. If you are looking at a white wine stain on a rug, it is best to use a carpet spot cleaner. These can be found at your local grocery store in little time but it is always a good idea to keep some on hand for just such an emergency.

If the wine stain is still visible then let the fabric soak in cold water for at least thirty minutes. This can be quite inconvenient but it is a must if you want to save the garment. Wash the fabric as you normally would after the soak but be sure to look for the wine stain before putting the garment into the dryer. If the spot is still visible, try a laundry stain remover and rewash the item.

Your rug may need to be professionally cleaned if the white wine stain is still prevalent after a few hours. This professional cleaning should be arranged as soon as possible to assure that the white wine stain will be removed completely.

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How To Care For Your Lawn And Patio Furniture

The summer months provide countless hours of fun and entertainment for the whole family. Itis a time meant to be enjoyed outside in the fresh air and warm sunshine.

There is nothing more relaxing than to walk outside with a great book in one hand and cool glass of water in the other to unwind for a bit in your aluminum lawn and patio furniture. Although, this type of outdoor furniture is good, if you don’t know how to clean and maintain them, then they won’t last long.

One of the most important to-dos is making sure you clean and wax the frame often. Since these pieces are generally open to harsh elements on a daily basis during the summer months, it is important to wash them down after each use. Suntan oil, sweat and environmental contaminants such as pollen and unfiltered water are the most harmful and damaging examples of elements to which lawn and patio furniture are exposed.

It is important that you remember to never use a pressure washer for cleaning. By doing this you are forcing the furniture to endure a lot of water at a very hard pressure. Most of the time the framing can’t handle it, and can even bend or break. Since it is impossible to keep all damaging elements off of the lawn and patio furniture, it is important to wash it down about every 2-3 weeks. If at all possible it is advisable to wipe down the lawn and patio furniture as soon as possible to avoid any long lasting effects.

When you are cleaning it, make sure you use a detergent as well as warm water. Because the primary things the lawn and patio furniture is exposed to are oils and lotions, its best you use a degreaser, or are strong fighting soap. You want to make sure that your pieces will last longer than just one season, and can be enjoyed by others for years to come. If taken care of correctly, then you won’t have to constantly go and buy more lawn and patio furniture every year.

More often than not people tend to leave this type of furniture outside all year long. If you are looking to keep your pieces in top condition, you might want to consider storing them in a shed or outside building.

When exposed to the weather, especially rain and frost, your lawn and patio furniture will not last more than 3 or 4 years in the best condition. Rust and weakened frames are a direct result of harsh elements and will leave your lawn and patio furniture looking old and rough. Overall, proper care and maintenance isn’t too difficult and if you are careful, you will be able to relax every summer without having the stress of worrying about unattractive furniture ever again.

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How To Clean A King Size Quilt

Straight Talk about Quilt Care: Display, Cleaning, and Storage of New and Antique Quilts and Needlework

It has been proven that sleep is one of the most important factors in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. But if you own a king mattress, you know how difficult it is to clean that king size quilt. Sleeping with a dirty blanket can be very unhealthy since the fabric can be overly infested with germs and bacteria. In order to have a clean king size quilt there are certain rules you should follow.

The first step to keeping your bed covering spotless is the cleaning stage. It is important to remember that you shouldn’t excessively clean the quilt. By constantly washing the cover you are going to eventually weaken the material leading to the chance that it might fall apart in a short amount of time. Instead of washing your king size quilt every day or so, dust the top of the blanket. This will remove dirt and settled dust without weakening or stressing the fabric.

It is vital that you remember to wash it once every other month. Sadly enough, just dusting off the cover won’t work since your nightly sweat and dirt is absorbed by the material.

Since a king size quilt is rather large, you won’t be able to just throw it into your mashing machine. A commercial face loading washing machine will need to be utilized instead. These machines generally have a lot more space and are great for large items like a king size quilt. Make sure you use cold water instead of hot, since cooler temperatures are much easier on the fabric.

While it might seem like more work, be sure to never dry it in the dryer. Whenever you use a dryer, your items are continuously rubbing against each other. After a certain amount of time, this causes your beautiful king size quilt to deteriorate completely.

If you have ever done laundry and noticed all the fluff and fuzz that your dryer vent collects, you have witnessed a perfect example of deteriorating material. Use a dryer as little as possible, and instead, dry your king size quilt on a large flat surface. If that is not an option, hanging your blanket outside, with the underside of the quilt facing up, will work as well.

The final stage of maintaining your quilt is the folding process. There are loads of things to remember when folding, but the most important is to take note of the fact that if you fold your quilt to store for over long periods of time this tends to set creases in the fabric.

Instead of folding, try to roll your king size quilt. By doing that you won’t have to worry about creases taking place. Make sure that you keep the blanket covered since direct sunlight will damage cotton fabrics and ruin the quilt.

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