Guides, reviews and how-tos
Every Clean Air Guides article in one place: air purifier and humidifier buying guides, combos, how-to and troubleshooting guides, and indoor air quality explainers.
Air Purifiers
Five small air purifiers for a desk, nightstand, dorm or office, with verified CADR, the room size each can really handle, power use and filter costs.
9 min read
Guides
Yes, for particles in the air: smoke, pollen, pet dander and dust. Here's what EPA and AHAM say purifiers can and can't do, and how to size one so it works.
7 min read
Guides
HEPA filters trap particles; activated carbon adsorbs gases and odors. Neither does the other's job. Here's what each removes and which you need.
6 min read
Guides
Most HEPA filters are rated for 6 to 12 months, carbon filters often less and pre-filters need cleaning every few weeks. Manufacturer intervals by brand, plus the signs a filter is done.
8 min read
Humidifiers
Empty and dry it daily, descale and disinfect it every third day, and follow your manual. Step-by-step, with brand notes for HoMedics, Crane, Dyson and more.
10 min read
Guides
Cut pollution at the source, bring in outdoor air, then filter what's left. Nine EPA-based steps, from humidity and mold to purifiers and radon.
7 min read
Humidifiers
Aim for 30–50% relative humidity, and lower in a cold snap. What the EPA and others say, how to read a hygrometer and when to run a humidifier.
7 min read
Air Purifiers
A research-based look at the Levoit Core 300 (now the Core 300-P): AHAM CADR, room size, filters, noise and power, plus how it stacks up against the 300S and Vital 200S.
8 min read
Air Purifiers
Put it in the room you use most, with 8 to 18 inches of clearance, away from heat, moisture and curtains, and size it for the space the door opens onto.
6 min read
Air Purifiers
The Afloia Q10 paired a small H13 HEPA purifier with a mini dehumidifier. It now appears unavailable. Here are its verified specs and what to buy instead.
6 min read
Combos
An air purifier removes particles from the air; a humidifier adds moisture. Here's which one helps with allergies, pets, dry air and colds, and how to run both.
7 min read
Guides
"Air scrubber" means a job-site HEPA machine or an in-duct HVAC gadget, depending on who is selling it. Here's how both compare with a home air purifier.
5 min read