Using an air purifier to combat mould

Mould in the home is not only responsible for structural damage; it can also cause serious havoc on our health. For some individuals, the spores emitted by mould can lead to severe skin irritations or respiratory issues (including triggering an asthma attack in asthmatics). While some symptoms may occur immediately upon exposure, some may have a lasting impact and take a prolonged period of time to manifest.

This begs the question: can an air purifier help us fight against mould in the home? Below we will discuss what mould is, why it’s dangerous, and how an air purifier can help protect you at home.

What is mould?

“Mould" is an umbrella term that refers to a certain type of fungus that grows under certain conditions. We certainly know it from its unwelcome presence on food past its expiration date, but it occurs in dwellings that are poorly ventilated and/or humid.

We find mould in places that are warm and humid. They thrive in places that experience changes in temperature such as tile joints, damp walls, and windowpanes. The types of mould that grow fastest are those hidden from view; for example, tucked behind cupboards, drawers, or even behind wallpaper or paint. The bathroom and laundry room are places where mould (and mildew) proliferates rapidly due to the high levels of moisture and humidity.

How can an air purifier be of aid?

An air purifier is a device that uses various filtration technologies to remove harmful particles from the air within only a few minutes. These forms of filtration eliminate harmful bacteria suspended in the air, including viruses, spores, and fungi. Eoleaf air purifiers, specifically, use 8 different filtration technologies to completely remove indoor pollutants from an area of 100m2 in minutes.

Using an air purifier is simple: all it takes is turning on the air purifier in your home and propping open the door of the room containing potential mould spores. While this will not be enough to remove mould already present on your surfaces, removing spores from the air will prevent their spread into other areas of the house, thus protecting your health. Mould that has grown on your surfaces must be cleaned manually: consider bleach for white walls, and vinegar or water and soap for fragile surfaces. Play it safe by testing your cleaning methods on a small surface before tackling larger surfaces, and avoid products containing VOCs (volatile organic compounds).

The air purifiers available on the market vary in their functions and capabilities. 

One of the most notable types is an air purifier with multi-layer filters of varying filter mesh density. This type of air purifier can successfully capture and remove all mould spores suspended in the air, stopping mould in its development and spread. The filters contained in the device may be made of carbon, fibreglass, or more natural materials. These filters should be changed on average once a year (for use in the UK and assuming the device is being properly used as per the manufacturer regarding surface area). The HEPA filter, a filter used in all Eoleaf devices, meets stringent European standards and guarantees powerful and efficient filtration. Filters meeting this certification trap and remove 99.95% of particles with a diameter greater than or equal to 0.01 µm, including fungi.