The best air purifiers for cigarette smoke

Varieties of air purifier models for tobacco smoke

Household air purifier from tobacco smoke
Air purifiers are divided according to the place of use into household and industrial. The main difference between them is power and performance. The first ones are intended for installation for removing smoke, tobacco smell, cleaning and ionizing air in apartments. Most models have an attractive, stylish design and will fit into a modern interior. Some devices work as air washers and help not only remove unpleasant odors, but also increase humidity levels.

Industrial smoking hoods are installed in smoking rooms. They prevent the formation of a persistent odor and the absorption of tobacco smoke into furniture and decoration. Instantly removes odor from the room.

Ways to get rid of the smell of cigarette smoke in an apartment

When declaring war on the smell of tobacco and cigarettes in an apartment, first of all, it is necessary to determine the “freshness” of the smoke: how far it has managed to penetrate the surfaces, and whether quick methods can be used. To ensure that the expert opinion does not take long to arrive, there is a mini-test. It is necessary to wash your hands well with baby soap (without a strong aroma and not antibacterial) or laundry soap. After drying, rub your palm over carpets, furniture fabrics and walls. There is an unpleasant smell of tobacco on your hands - quick action methods will not work, there is no foreign smell - you can safely get to work. And the sooner the better. Therefore, let's start with the so-called “first aid”.

Types of cleaning

Air purifiers remove the smell of tobacco smoke in two ways: using a HEPA filter and electrostatic cleaning. The first option allows you to eliminate up to 95% of tobacco smoke and other unpleasant odors that appear, for example, in the toilet. The air passes through such a barrier several times, resulting in fine filtration.

Despite the fact that the HEPA barrier effectively purifies the air from tobacco smoke, it has an important drawback. This type of filter clogs quickly and cannot be cleaned. If the device is used constantly, the filter needs to be changed after 2-3 months. With less intensive use – after 5-6 months. The procedure is simple, but the filter is not cheap.

The electrostatic cleaning method is based on the action of charged particles. Electrostatic cleaning is performed only by cleaners with an ionization function. The air passes through the positively charged electrodes and tobacco smoke particles accumulate on the surface of the filter. This method is more productive and consumables last longer.

Several types of filters can be combined in one air purifier.

Bad breath in smokers: causes

It is clear that the source of all problems is smoking, but there is not always a smoker in an apartment where there is a smell of tobacco. This odor can occur for a number of reasons:

• one or several residents smoke directly in the apartment;
• a smoker lives nearby, and the odor enters the rooms through ventilation grilles in the toilet or bathroom from neighbors below or above;
• The neighbors have a habit of smoking on the balcony. In this case, cigarette smoke can enter all nearby apartments through open windows or balcony doors;
• a smoky apartment was inherited (bought, rented, etc.);
• the residents of the house smoke in the entrance or vestibule, and the smell of smoke enters the apartment through the entrance doors.

Some may not pay attention, but for others such a stench causes allergy attacks or headaches.

Before you begin measures to eliminate the smell, you need to get rid of the cause of its appearance (if possible):

1. Agree with smokers living in the apartment that they go outside the living space to smoke.
2. Install hoods in the ventilation that will prevent the penetration of smoke.
3. Close windows and doors when neighbors smoke on the balcony or in the entrance.
4. Persuading others not to smoke, but this is the stuff of science fiction.

The implementation of these points determines how long the effect of cleaning the apartment from unpleasant odors will last. If the root cause cannot be eliminated, then you will have to get rid of it on a regular basis.

The persistence of cigarette smoke is amazing. It is explained by simple physiology:

• Provoking diseases of the oral cavity, teeth and gums.
• Disorders of the digestive process.
• Dry mouth. The temperature of the smoke from smoldering tobacco reaches 300–400 degrees. Dry mouth can cause an unpleasant odor in anyone. But if in this case simple hydration can solve the problem, then the smoker will no longer get by with drinking a glass of water.
• A coating of tar, nicotine and other dangerous substances on the tongue, teeth, and mucous membranes.

Constant smoking changes the acid-base environment and the composition of saliva. It gets an unpleasant yellowish tint and does not perform the necessary functions. Having learned how to get rid of cigarette smell from the mouth, a person can only solve an aesthetic problem!

Composition of filters for air purification from tobacco smoke

Stages of air purification from tobacco smoke
The effectiveness of an air purifier may vary. It depends on the materials used to produce the filters and the filtration technology. Detailed information about the operating principles of various types of filters will help you choose an air purifier for tobacco smoke for your apartment.

The simplest type of filter is a mesh membrane . It acts as a pre-filter and traps large particles, protecting the main filtration system from premature contamination. Such mechanical absorbers cannot effectively clean the air from tobacco smoke if used separately. Fabric, mesh or foam rubber is used as a mechanical filter.

The electrostatic filter has high performance and copes with tobacco smoke, traps fine dust, removes phenolic resins, viruses, pesticides from the air, and disinfects the air. During operation of the device, the air passing through a special chamber equipped with positively charged electrodes is purified. Harmful substances become positively charged and are attracted by the negatively charged plates. The advantages of electrostatic devices include: low energy consumption - no more than 50 W, quiet operation and a beneficial effect on health and performance. The electrostatic filter captures particles smaller than 1 micron, but no more than 90% of dust. Models with air ozonation function are preferable. The plates of the device should be cleaned once a week with water and soap. Up to 250 device cleaning cycles are allowed.

Carbon filters are used in household air purifiers. They perfectly filter out tobacco smoke and unpleasant odors, but do not get rid of carbon monoxide. If at first the carbon filter performs its best, then as contaminants accumulate in the pores of the filter, they begin to be released into the air. In this way, self-cleaning of activated carbon is carried out. In view of this property, it is recommended to carefully monitor the degree of contamination of carbon filters. The need for replacement is indicated by the presence of an unpleasant odor in the air, despite the operation of the purifier.

HEPA filter traps the smallest smoke particles

The HEPA filter is a mechanical one. It absorbs the smallest contaminants, including microparticles of tobacco smoke. The material from which the filter is made resembles fabric or cardboard and is treated with a special chemical composition that prevents the growth of harmful bacteria. HEPA absorbers differ from each other by efficiency class. HEPA filters of class H11 are installed in household appliances. They allow less than 5% of pollutants to pass through and effectively remove bacteria and spores from the air. Devices with this type of filtration are recommended for use in areas where small children with asthma and allergies live.

A photocatalytic filter works by using UV rays emitted by an ultraviolet lamp and a catalyst. Unlike other filters, this one does not trap particles of pollution and smoke, but breaks down toxin molecules into harmless substances: oxygen, water, carbon dioxide. This is the most effective absorber of all presented. It disinfects the air in the room, completely killing bacteria and spores. The service life of a photocatalytic filter is long, it does not require special care, but its price is high.

Air washing works on the principle of hydrotreating

An ultrasonic air purifier cleans the air masses in the room from tobacco odor and humidifies the air. Its design includes a hygrometer, which allows you to control the level of humidity in the room. The air is forced through a filter, and under the influence of a high-frequency generator, the water is broken into molecules and sprayed in the form of fog. This is also not the cheapest device option, but in terms of cleaning quality, ultrasonic devices are inferior to photocatalytic ones. In addition, it is necessary to constantly monitor the presence of water in the device.

Air washers work on the principle of aquafiltration. The air passes through the water filter. As a result, dust and smoke particles become heavy and are filtered out, dissolving in the water. No consumables needed. The quality of air purification from tobacco smoke is not very high, but sinks humidify the air. There are models with pre-ionization - more effective. Common disadvantages are high cost and noise during operation due to the presence of mechanical elements.

The device, which will provide an acceptable quality of air purification from tobacco smoke, contains filters of various types in its design.

Principle of operation

Industrial purifiers implement a multi-level principle of air filtration.
The general principle of filtration by a purifier is as simple as possible: air is sucked into the device by a fan. Then multi-stage cleaning is carried out due to the passage of air masses through the filtration compartment. The purified air goes back into the room. Functional devices are additionally equipped with an ionizer and a humidifier.

The filtration process is divided into several stages:

• Pre-cleaning. The largest particles are filtered out.
• Absorption. Mechanical potassium and carbon filters are used that can neutralize tobacco smoke.
• Fine filtration. Absorbers are used that clean the air as much as possible, including removing bacteria and viruses.

A purifier that is correctly selected for its performance pumps through itself the entire volume of air in the room 2 or 3 times in one hour.

Advantages and disadvantages

Car air purifier for cigarette smoke
Air purifiers for tobacco smoke remove harmful substances rather than masking unpleasant odors with fragrances. Their advantages:

• high-quality cleaning even in the constant presence of sources of pollution;
• appliances with additional functions refresh and humidify the home atmosphere;
• low power consumption;
• quiet operation.

Flaws:

• high cost of effective and powerful cleaners;
• the need to replace filters;

When choosing a photocatalytic cleaner, you should know that excessive disinfection weakens the immune system.

Prevention

If the reasons for the constant presence or penetration of tobacco smoke in the apartment are not eliminated, then attempts to eliminate the cigarette stench and its consequences will continue indefinitely. It is absolutely clear that no one will immediately give up a bad habit. But you can:

• Ask the heavy smoker at home to still go outside for a smoke break.
• Immediately put his clothes that smell of smoke into a closet that closes tightly.
• Ventilate the room every day.
• Regularly carry out wet cleaning of the entire apartment.
• Install rubber seals on the door openings and be sure that no nasty “odors” will seep through the balcony or entrance doors.
• Try to use air purifying devices.
• If possible, decorate the apartment with blooming gardenia jasmine, indoor lemon, fragrant pittosporum or other fragrant plants.

Popular manufacturers and best models

PANASONIC F-VXD50R-N is considered the highest quality air purification device.
Among the well-known brands of manufacturers of air purifiers for cigarette smoke for the home, the following stand out: Panasonic, Phillips, Aerotek, Timberk, Tefal, Xiaomi. The cost of high-quality cleaners starts from 10,000 rubles. The most popular models of the above brands:

• Philips ac4004/02. This model features four-stage filtration. Air masses are cleaned not only of tobacco smoke, but also of dust, bacteria, fungal spores, and odors. A special feature is self-cleaning blocking, so when the filter is dirty, the device does not throw toxins back.
• PANASONIC F-VXD50R-N. In addition to destroying bacteria, fungi and unpleasant odors, it saturates the air with moisture and negatively charged particles. Cleaning is performed using a four-stage filter. The quality is acceptable for allergy sufferers and asthmatics. There is practically no noise.
• Aerotek AVP-300. An expensive device, reliable and easy to operate. A six-stage cleaning is carried out, as a result of which allergens, spores, bacteria, viruses, smoke particles, and toxins are removed. In turbo mode, filtering is performed as quickly as possible. The device is silent and portable.
• Timberk TAP FL800 MF. A device with six-level cleaning, traps particles up to 0.3 microns. Supplemented with fragrance, control sensor, timer, filter contamination indicator. A pleasant difference is the stylish design and relatively low price.
• Tefal PU 4025. Refers to air washers and has a capacity of up to 170 m3/h. Advantages: economical (consumes 30 W), several filtering modes, timer, delayed start, backlight.
• Xiaomi Mi AIR Purifier 2. A device with high efficiency and productivity - up to 400 m3/h, but at the same time small in size. There is a filter contamination indicator and a convenient control panel. The portable device makes virtually no noise and looks stylish.

When choosing a mini hood for smokers, you need to pay attention to the class of the device and the principle of operation. Not all devices can effectively neutralize tobacco smoke and other unpleasant odors. Preference should be given to purifiers with a combined multi-stage filtration system.