The best air purifiers for your home - Popular Science

The best air purifiers for your home - Popular Science
Coway AP-1515HH Mighty Air Purifier 30% off deal on Amazon - Business Insider
Mold Allergies May Be Making You Sick All Year - Newsmax
Spring Cleaning for Your Health: 9 Tips - Thrive Global

Posted: 18 Apr 2019 10:11 AM PDT

After more than a year of construction on my apartment, I started noticing particles floating around my bedroom. Not long after, it occurred to me that poor air quality could partially explain my sleep troubles. I decided to test out some air purifiers to see if they make a difference. They really did.

The best air purifiers can improve sleep and alleviate allergies by removing particulates from the air. Most high-end models use True HEPA filters—High Efficiency Particulate Air—to catch floating bits of mold and pollen, as well as suck up smoke, dust, and bacteria. These certified filters cleanse the air of 99.97 percent of small particles (as tiny as 0.3 microns in diameter) on the first round of filtration. These purifiers do not handle heavier particles that have settled on your furniture, so you'll need to swipe at those with a cloth or duster.

If you're convinced you want an air purifier but are overwhelmed by the options, you'll be relieved to know I did the research for you. Below are my favorites on the market.

The absolute favorite is Coway's Airmega 200M, which suits rooms up to 361 square feet. To clean your air, it relies on a four-stage filtration process: a pre-filter that nabs larger debris, an odor filter, a true HEPA filter, and finally, something they call a Vital Ion System. This air ionizer introduces negatively charged ions into the air, which supposedly bond with positively charged allergens and cause them to fall to the floor rather than float on your air. The device has three fan speeds and will tell you when to change the filter.

There's an eco-mode that will turn the device off if no harmful elements are detected in the air and an auto mode that adjusts fan speed according to air quality. You could also just schedule it to run for one, four, or eight hours at a time. The true HEPA filter should last about a year and the odor filter lasts up to six months.

The Blueair Blue Pure 211+ air filter is the device that's most likely to make you smile when you see it. The 60-watt, low-energy machine is operated by a single touch-activated button on the front, so it's simple to use. It boasts three speed settings and a three-step filtration process that can purify the air five times per hour.

The washable exterior acts not only as a pop of color but also as a pre-filter that catches larger particles, thus extending the life of the main filter. After passing through that first layer, air travels through Blueair's dual mechanical and electrostatic filtration system that charges the particles in the air so they stick better to the filter. After this, the air is goes through an activated carbon filter, which removes odors and smoke.

This particular model is designed for rooms up to 540 square feet. Expect to replace the filter every six months, though a light will alert you when it's time.

If you're not interested in spending more than $200, there's always the Levoit LV131, which also uses a three-stage filtration system. Like the other models, air first travels through a pre-filter to catch larger debris like pet dander and mold, It then goes through the TRUE HEPA filter, which removes dust, allergens, and bacteria. Finally, the air passes through an activated carbon filter for odors. In auto mode, the purifier gauges air quality and adjusts the fan speed accordingly. It offers a quieter sleep mode and a timer so you can shut it off at a specific time. The filter should be changed every six months.

The brand has also got a version that connects over Wi-Fi and can be controlled with your smartphone.

This portable option is perfect for small rooms or bathrooms. It's super quiet, weighs less than a pound, and is a little larger than a Big Mac. You could even travel with it. It comes with a carrying case and an essential oil pad for waterless aromatherapy. It's also the simplest to use: just press the power button.

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Coway AP-1515HH Mighty Air Purifier 30% off deal on Amazon - Business Insider

Posted: 19 Apr 2019 12:11 PM PDT

Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Spring is in the air — and with it comes an increase in pollen, mold, and other common allergens. If you have seasonal allergies, you're probably stocking up on some quick fixes for dreaded itchy eyes, runny noses, and scratchy throats.

You can't control the environment and just rid outdoor air of allergens, pollutants, and irritants. But there is some air you actually can control — the indoor air inside your home.

While your home serves as a refuge from most of the risks posed by the outside world, it still hosts plenty of irritants like bacteria, viruses, pollen, pet dander, and fumes from cleaning supplies. Evidence has suggested that most indoor air is actually more polluted than outdoor air, according to The Environmental Protection Agency.

An air purifier removes most of the pollutants from your indoor air, ultimately leaving you with fresher, cleaner air.

If you're in the market, the Coway AP-1515HH Mighty Air Purifier is a great option. It's effective, efficient, and "the most affordable purifier of its abilities," according to Wirecutter, which chose this product as the best air purifier out there. Right now, you can save $68 on Coway's Mighty Air Purifier at Amazon and snag the product for just $161.99.

We recently swapped the Coway Mighty out for Coway's newer model, the Airmega 200M, as our top pick for best air purifiers. Still, the Coway Mighty is a great product and at this price, a really great deal. Here's what you need to know about the purifier.

Designed for medium-sized spaces like small apartments or living rooms, the Coway Mighty works for areas up to 361 square feet. It's a small, portable device that uses a four-stage filtration system to reduce up to 99.97% of particle pollution. The pollution sensor — a bright LED on the device — shows you real-time cleaning status, so you can gauge your indoor air quality at any time. There's also a filter replacement indicator, which will alert you when it's time to change the filters.

Some other helpful features are the timer, which lets you schedule how long you'd like the purifier to operate (either one, four, eight, or 12 hours), and the three different fan speeds, which you can adjust based on your preference and purification needs.

After testing the Coway AP-1515HH with new and old filters, Wirecutter found that year-old filters, which had been used 24/7, still cleaned the air just as well as brand-new filters. Ultimately, it's this combination of effectiveness and long-term performance that make the air purifier a worthy investment, especially at such a great price.

Save $68 and get the Coway AP-1515HH Mighty Air Purifier for just $161.99 at Amazon

Mold Allergies May Be Making You Sick All Year - Newsmax

Posted: 08 Apr 2019 06:54 AM PDT

If your allergies seem to be more year-round than seasonal, you may be allergic to mold spores. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America while the really severe mold season lasts from July to mid-fall, mold and mildew can become a nuisance anywhere and at any time of the year.

"It's estimated that 25 percent of people who have allergies are allergic to mold," Dr. Andy Nish, MD., an allergy and asthma specialist from Gainesville, Georgia, tells Newsmax. "The symptoms of mold allergy, particularity from indoor molds, may be even more insidious than springtime pollens would cause.

"That is because the exposure may be more prolonged instead of occurring in peak and valleys when you are outdoors. Mold allergies can cause more inflammation in the body so you may have more nasal congestion and if it triggers asthma, you may have difficulty exercising or sleeping through the night," says the expert.

AAFA explains that if mold spores get into your nose, they can cause allergy symptoms, and if they get into your lungs, they can cause asthma. Typical allergic symptoms, besides nasal congestion, include:

Itchy, watery eyes
Sneezing
Rashes
Stomach cramps
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Bloating

Typical asthma symptoms include:

Coughing
Wheezing or making a whistling noise when you breathe
Shortness of breath
Rapid breathing
Chest tightness

Nish says that in preventing mold allergies, "the best offense is a good defense." Here are some suggestions:

Wear a dust mask if you are working outdoors cutting grass, digging around plants, picking up leaves or disturbing other plant materials.
Keep the windows of your car and house closed to minimize exposure to mold.
Limit your exposure to mold spores outside when the mold count is high, says AAFA. Stay indoors.
To reduce your exposure to mold inside the home, use a certified asthma and allergy friendly filter with your central air conditioning. For more allergy-friendly products check out the asthma & allergy friendly certification program.
Lower your indoor humidity. No air cleaners can work efficiently if there is too much moisture in the air. If your indoor humidity is above 50 percent, mold spores will thrive. AAFA recommends keeping the humidity in your home below 45 percent but 35 percent is better.
Pay close attention to mold building up in areas like the basement, laundry room or bathrooms and be aggressive in reducing dampness.
Improve the air flow throughout your rooms and use exhaust fans if necessary.
Fix any leaks promptly.
Make sure that rainwater drains AWAY from your house.

If these steps do not alleviate your allergies, speak to your healthcare provider about taking medication or having allergy shots to reduce your symptoms, says Nish.

Spring Cleaning for Your Health: 9 Tips - Thrive Global

Posted: 10 Apr 2019 12:00 AM PDT

Tips to make your home healthier this Spring.

When you're cleaning your home this spring, think about all the benefits it brings. Yes, a good scrubbing removes harmful allergens and bacteria, but spring cleaning also improves your mental health. A cluttered home raises stress levels. Over time, higher stress levels lead to health issues. So think of it as cleaning for your body and mind. And don't forget that cleaning and maintaining your home leads to annual energy savings — that makes for a healthier wallet.

Understanding all these implications helps you make better decisions about how to clean your home. Here are nine spring cleaning tips that will have you healthier and wealthier.

1. Clean Your HVAC Air Ducts

Replacing your HVAC system's air filter will eliminate the spread of allergens, bacteria, and mold. But don't forget your system's ductwork. It also collects mold, dust, and debris that your filter can't catch. Check for signs of dust and mold around your air vents. These indicate you're in need of a duct cleaning. Or if your home is ten years or older and has never had a duct cleaning, it's time to get your HVAC system serviced. Test your A/C to make sure it is in working order and the right size for your home. Regular maintenance ensures your system will last many seasons.

2. Check for Leaking Water Pipes

As winter snow thaws, it may reveal leaking or busted water pipes. Left untreated, wet areas around your hot water tank or under your sink can grow toxic black mold. The spores from black mold can cause a range of problems, from chronic coughing to bleeding in the lungs and nose. Check all the areas of your home where water pipes are present, especially those within external walls. Look for evidence of mold around the base of your shower, dishwasher, and clothes washer. Even better, install a smart home leak detector. These devices will automatically alert you to leaks before they destroy your home and threaten your health.

3. Inventory Your Medications

Now that cold and flu season is on its way out, inventory your medicine cabinet. Throw away any expired medication, both prescription and over-the-counter. Out-of-date meds and vitamin supplements aren't effective. They won't help you or your family when you need allergy or pain relief, so replace them instead. But don't throw them in the garbage or flush them down the toilet. Chemicals from medications can seep into the water table or poison animals that take them from the trash. Follow FDA guidelines for how to dispose of unused medications.

4. Prepare Your Humidifier for Storage

If you use a humidifier during the winter months, clean it properly before storing it for summer. Left uncleaned, humidifiers are ideal breeding grounds for mold, bacteria, and germs— serious health hazards for those with asthma or allergies. And dirty humidifiers can even cause infections of the lungs.

5. Clean Your Pillows and Mattresses

Many people are allergic to dust mites — those microscopic bugs that live within our pillows and mattresses. When you remove these small critters by cleaning your pillows and mattresses, you eliminate symptoms of hay fever, sneezing, and runny nose. If you don't want to go to the trouble of cleaning your bedding, you can always buy new ones. Replace your mattress every ten years and your pillow every year or two.

6. Vacuum Under Your Bed

By springtime, the space under our beds harbors a menagerie of dust bunnies and cobwebs. These nasty allergens are only a few feet from your sleeping face. Cleaning under your bed will cut down on allergy symptoms. Use your vacuum attachments to reach underneath your bed, or remove your mattress so you can vacuum and dust.

7. Replace Your Detector Batteries

Most smoke and CO2 detectors alert you to batteries gone bad. But that doesn't mean these failsafes always work. Take time to test and replace your detector batteries. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced from burning fuels like propane, gasoline, charcoal, or wood. Unlike fire, you can't see or smell it coming. That's why CO2 poisoning is so dangerous for people who are asleep. They often can't feel the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning until it's too late.

8. Revamp Your Pantry

The best way to spring clean your way to a healthier you is to throw out all expired and processed foods in your cupboards. Check the nutritional labels for added sugars and refined carbohydrates. Toss those unhealthy processed foods in the garbage bin and replace with mixed nuts, dried fruits, granola bars, organic fruit snacks, and kale chips. We tend to grab the first snack we see in the pantry, so place healthier options towards the front. Same goes for your refrigerator and freezer. And keep both well-stocked: A full refrigerator takes less energy to cool than an empty one.

9. Organize Your Bedroom for Better Sleep

Your health depends on getting regular, restorative sleep. Without it, our stress levels rise, and our health declines. Clean sheets, mattresses, and pillows help. But so does an organized bedroom. While you clean your bedroom, rearrange it to be more conducive to sleep. Here are some ways to improve your bedroom's feng shui:

Keep the air clean with an air-purifier or by opening the windows
Cover up distracting light sources (e.g., alarm clock displays)
Block external light sources like the sun or a street lamp with blackout curtains
Install dimmer switches so you can control the brightness of your bedroom
Cover up hardwood floors with rugs to dampen down noises
Repaint the walls with calming colors like taupes, grays, whites, and beiges

These nine spring cleaning tips are a good start. Some are simple, and others need more time and money investment. But all will help most people create a healthy home for their families. Your home is unique, so look for other ways to make it a healthier space, from rearranging your living area to investing in a new HVAC system.

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