No one has figured out how to automatically eradicate dust from our own inner sanctums, however—though one woman has come close. Frances Gabe, an inventor in Newberg, Oregon, designed a house for herself with a carwash-like system that washes, rinses and blow-dries everything in it from its waterproof furnishings to its heavily varnished wood floors. A drain in the fireplace carries away ashes to fertilize the yard, a section of the closet cleans the clothes, the kitchen cabinets wash and dry the dishes, and a chute carries out the trash.
Still dust exists, even in the Gabe house. While we can’t eradicate it, there are ways to minimize it in our homes and save ourselves a good bit of time, energy and maybe even our health in the process.
Choose your neighborhood. As they say in real estate, the three most important factors when choosing a home are location, location and location. So besides proximity to a good school or pizzeria, check out the downwind location of a dust-generating highway, farm or factory.
ionic air purifiers
Close the windows on bad air days. A lot of us are newly attuned to how much dust regularly drifts in during the day, especially when it’s windy or smoggy.
Apply weather stripping to all windows and doors, and caulk all cracks. Stripping and caulking not only keep dust from seeping in but also keep hot and frigid air out.
Change or wash heating and air conditioner filters seasonally. Filters get grungy fast, especially in extreme temperatures. If they’re washable, toss them in the dishwasher for a good scrub without the elbow grease.
Consider replacing an ordinary fiberglass filter in a central cooling and heating unit with a media, electronic or HEPA (high-efficiency particulate-arresting) filter. All three filters effectively trap the tiniest particles of airborne dust, pollen and even smoke, so they don’t settle on surfaces. If you lack a whole-house unit, consider a portable air cleaner for individual rooms.
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ionic air purifiers
Ionic Pro Ionic Air Purifier
- Electrical ionic air purifier for reducing allergens and dust in indoor environments
- Purifier quietly positively charges particles in the air before attracting them with negatively-charged collection plates
- Operates at 120v AC and 60Hz; grounded-style plug requires use with grounded-style outlet
- Low, medium, and high power levels available; covers rooms up to 500 square feet
- Air purifier measures 29 by 10-1/2 by 9 inches; weighs 10 pounds; limited warranty available
The Ionic Pro Ionic Air Purifier delivers quality, state-of-the art, ionic air purification, at home or office, for less than half the retail cost of some similar ionic air purification units. Working almost silently, the Ionic Pro circulates air by first putting a positive charge into the air, then attracting the air with negatively charged collection plates These collection plates trap irritants and allergens, like pet dander, dust, pollen — even particles as small as 1 micron, releasing purified air back into the room. Better yet, it costs only pennies a day to operate 24/7 and there are no replacement filters to buy — to clean up, simply wipe the collection blades clean and re-install . Safe and “one touch” easy to use, Ionic Pro will give your family the clean air they need to stay healthy. The Ionic Pro is recommended for rooms up to 500 square feet. Comes with a 1 year limited warranty. Stylish, black unit is approximately 29″ x 10.5″ x 9″,and 10 lbs, out of box.Rid a roo
List Price: $ 169.99
Price: $ 169.99
Wagan EL2022 Ionic Air Purifier
- Eliminates unpleasant odors and fumes from the vehicle’s cabin
- Chemical-free and no filters to change
- Supplies immediate relief and fresh air for driver and passenger safety
- Eliminates bacteria, pollen and dust and helps relieve allergies, hay fever and asthma
- General voltage of DC 12V, 250mA; Negative Output of 1 x 10 ions/sec; Size of 4.6 inches x 1.5 inches x 1.25 inches
Wagan Ionic Air Purifier can be used by simply plugging it into the cigarette lighter of your vehicle to instantly purify and freshen the air in your vehicle. This purifier begins functioning immediately after plugging it into the 12V Socket of the vehicle. Once plugged in, experience immediate relief and fresh air for the driver and passenger safety. It helps relieve allergies, hay fever and asthma and eliminate bacteria, pollen and dust. This purifier contains no chemicals used and needs no refills.
List Price: $ 17.95
Price: $ 9.99
Surround Air XJ-3800 Intelli-Pro Air Purifier
- Sensor technology monitors air quality and performance of filters/components. Let’s you know when to replace filters.
- Six leading technologies: Hepa filter, activated carbon filter, pre filter, germicidal UV Lamp, ionizer, electronic dust collection grid
- In clinical tests, Intelli-Pro outperforms the Consumer Reports Top-Rated Air Purifier, as well as other popular air purifiers
- The Intelli-Pro is energy efficient, and uses sensor technology to reduce electricity usage Offers low-cost replacement filter and UV lamp
- Features “quiet” setting to maintain peace and tranquility in room
The Surround Air XJ-3800 Intelli-Pro Air Purifier outperforms Consumer Reports’ Top-Rated Air Purifier! Nearly 100% effective in clinical tests, and five times more effective in toxin removal test than top-rated model. Features a wide array of sensors and monitors to let you know everything from which pollutants are detected to when to change the filters. Odor, dust and allergen sensors let you know when certain pollutants are detected, such as cigarette smoke, chemicals, dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and mold spores. The clean air monitor tells you how clean or polluted the air is, removing the guesswork. Select “Automatic” mode to maximize performance and energy savings. Diagnostic sensors indicate when to replace filters, and when to clean the metal dust collector grid. The UV light and ionizer indicators let you know that these functions are working. The Intelli-Pro features six leading air-cleaning technologies: Electrostatically-charged dust collection grid traps parti
List Price: $ 299.00
Price: $ 199.00