Air Purifier Maintenance Tips

Your PuroAir air purifier works hard to keep the indoor air clean, but like any appliance, it needs regular maintenance to perform at its best. Without proper care, filters can clog, airflow can drop, and your purifier may become far less effective than you expect. By following a simple maintenance routine, you can extend the life of your purifier, improve air quality, and get the most value from your investment.

Replace the filter regularly

The easiest way to ensure clean air in your home is by replacing the air purifier’s HEPA filter on a regular basis throughout the year. HEPA filters are designed to trap fine particles like dust, pollen, pet dander, and other airborne pollutants, but as they fill up, their ability to capture contaminants and maintain proper airflow decreases. Over time, a clogged filter can reduce your purifier’s effectiveness and force the unit to work harder, which may increase energy use and shorten its lifespan.

Keep in mind that the frequency of filter changes can vary depending on the season and your indoor environment. For example, allergy seasons, wildfire smoke, high pet shedding, or increased indoor activity can cause filters to load up faster, while periods of lower pollutant levels may extend their lifespan. Checking your filter regularly and following the EPA guidelines will help ensure your air purifier continues to deliver optimal performance and consistently cleaner air.

Wipe it down with a microfiber cloth

Don’t forget another very important, but simple, maintenance step: wiping down the outside of your air purifier with a microfiber cloth. Over time, dust, pet hair, and other particles can accumulate on the exterior vents, grills, and control panels, which may restrict airflow and reduce overall efficiency. Regularly cleaning the exterior helps prevent debris from being pulled back into the system and keeps sensors, vents, and fan intakes functioning properly.

Add this quick step to your regular cleaning routine, weekly or biweekly is ideal, and use a dry microfiber cloth to gently remove buildup without scratching the surface. Avoid harsh cleaners or excess moisture, especially near vents or electrical components. This small habit not only keeps your purifier looking new, but also helps it run more efficiently, so you can truly feel the difference in your indoor air quality.

Vacuum the inside

This tip helps capture any remaining dust and debris that may be trapped in the air purifier’s grills, vents, or interior walls, areas that filters alone can’t fully address. Over time, fine particles can settle inside the unit, restricting airflow and reducing overall efficiency, even if the filter is replaced regularly.

Before vacuuming, always turn off and unplug your air purifier, then carefully remove the filter according to the PuroAir owner’s manual. Use a vacuum with a soft brush attachment to gently clean the interior surfaces and air intake grills. Once the interior is clean, reinsert your existing filter if it’s still within its recommended lifespan, or install a fresh HEPA filter for optimal performance.

Adding this step to your maintenance routine helps improve airflow, keeps internal components cleaner, and ensures your air purifier continues to operate at peak efficiency for cleaner, healthier indoor air.

Clean off the air quality sensor

Carefully cleaning the air quality sensor helps ensure that your PuroAir air purifier (depending on the model) accurately adjusts its performance based on the real air quality in your home, office, or other indoor space. The sensor continuously detects airborne particles and automatically changes fan speed and purification levels, but dust and debris can build up on the sensor over time and interfere with its readings. When this happens, your purifier may not respond correctly, either running too strong or not enough, reducing efficiency and indoor air quality.

Similar to wiping down the outside of your air purifier, this step is quick and easy. Simply turn off and unplug the unit, locate the air quality sensor (check your manual for its exact position), and gently wipe it with a dry microfiber cloth. Avoid using water, sprays, or cleaning chemicals, as moisture can damage sensitive sensor components. By keeping the sensor clean, you ensure your air purifier can accurately detect changes in air quality and deliver the right level of purification when you need it most.

Clean the area around the air purifier

One of the most important, but easily overlooked, areas to clean is the space around your air purifier. Dust, pet hair, and debris can accumulate on nearby surfaces like tables, stands, shelves, or the floor, and these particles are often pulled directly into the purifier’s intake. When surrounding surfaces are dusty, your filter has to work harder to capture larger amounts of debris, which can cause it to clog faster and reduce its lifespan.

Regularly dusting and vacuuming the area around your air purifier helps minimize extra buildup in the filter, allowing it to focus on removing airborne particles such as allergens, smoke, and fine dust from the air. Keeping the surrounding space clean also improves airflow around the unit, ensuring your purifier can operate efficiently without obstructions. By adding this simple step to your routine, you can extend filter life, improve performance, and maintain cleaner indoor air with less frequent filter replacements.

Create a clean zone around your air purifier

To get the best performance from your air purifier, make sure it has a clean, unobstructed area around it. Dust and debris near the unit are easily pulled into the intake, causing filters to clog faster and reducing efficiency.

Follow these simple placement and cleaning tips:

• Leave at least 8 inches of space on all sides of the purifier for proper airflow.
• Keep it off cluttered surfaces. Avoid placing it next to piles of books, laundry, or pet bedding.
• Dust or wipe nearby surfaces weekly to reduce the amount of debris entering the filter.
• Vacuum the floor or surface beneath the unit to prevent dust from being recirculated into the air.
• Avoid corners or tight spaces, which can trap airflow and reduce circulation.

By maintaining a clean zone around your air purifier, you’ll help it run more efficiently, extend filter life, and keep your indoor air cleaner with less effort.

Summary

Regular maintenance helps your air purifier perform at its best, from changing HEPA filters on time to cleaning the unit, air quality sensor, and surrounding area. These quick steps keep airflow strong, extend filter life, and ensure cleaner, healthier indoor air year-round. Stay on top of filter replacements and never miss a change by enrolling in the Subscribe and Save filter subscription so you can enjoy fresh air without the hassle of remembering when to reorder.