Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Cleaning your car air filter
• Method 2 of 3: Cleaning your home air filter
• Method 3 of 3: Decide whether to clean or replace filters

Although car and home air filters can be cleaned by yourself, calling a professional to replace it reduces the chance of error. First, make sure the filter is cleanable - only reusable filters can be reused after cleaning, while disposable filters should be thrown away. The easiest way to clean a reusable filter is to vacuum it, although it will likely need to be washed to remove a thick layer of dirt.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Cleaning your car air filter

1. 1 Remove the filter. Open the hood of the car. If you are unable to find the filter, consult your vehicle repair and maintenance manual (paper or digital). Alternatively, just ask the mechanic the next time you service the vehicle. Open the case (secured with screws or latches) and remove the filter.
   • The air filter housing is located above the engine, in a round or rectangular box.
2. 2 Vacuum the dry filter. Connect the crevice tool to the vacuum cleaner. Vacuum the filter on each side for a minute. Examine the filter under bright light and remove any stains it may have missed.
   • Vacuuming the filter is much faster and safer than washing it.
3. 3 Rinse the dry filter if desired. Fill a bucket with a solution of soap and water. Place the filter in a bucket and shake it. Remove the filter and shake off excess water. Rinse the filter thoroughly under running water. Place the filter on a towel and let it dry completely.
   • Do not return the wet filter back to the housing! This could damage the vehicle engine.
   • Wet filter cleaning is much more effective than dry cleaning, but at the same time it is more risky and time-consuming.
4. 4 Clean the oil filter. Pat the filter to get dust and dirt out of it. Apply a cleaning solution (specially designed for oil filters) to the outside and inside of the filter. Make sure the filter is completely saturated with the solution. Leave it in a sink or bowl for ten minutes. Rinse the filter with cold water at low pressure. Shake it off and let dry completely.
   • Make sure that the detergent does not dry on the filter - leave it on for only ten minutes.
   • Rinse the filter by running it up and down under the tap.
   • After rinsing, the filter should dry in about fifteen minutes. If during this time it does not dry completely, wait a couple more minutes.
   • If you are in a hurry, turn on a hair dryer or small fan at medium speed and temperature to speed up the drying process.
5. 5 Re-grease the filter if necessary. Spread the oil evenly over the surface of the air filter. Cover the filter thoroughly with a thin layer of oil. Wipe off excess oil from the cover and bottom edge of the filter. Leave the filter for 20 minutes to absorb the oil.
6. 6 Clean the case. Vacuum the filter housing with a special nozzle to remove all dust and dirt from it. Alternatively, you can use a soft cloth or paper towel. Make sure the housing is completely dry and free of debris before replacing the filter.
   • Moisture and debris can damage the engine.
7. 7 Replace the filter. Insert the filter back into the housing. Secure any clips or latches that held the filter in place when you removed it.

Method 2 of 3: Cleaning your home air filter

1. 1 Remove the air filter. Disconnect the system before touching the filter. Vacuum or brush the surrounding area before removing the ventilation grill. Unscrew the screw (s) or open the latch and remove the grille. Vacuum the surface of the cabinet, and then remove the air filter.
   • If the system is not turned off, it will attract debris during the cleaning process.
   • If the air vent is on the ceiling or high on the wall, use a stepladder.
2. 2 Remove dirt. Shake out all the dirt from the filter into the trash can. Place the crevice tool over the tip of the flexible hose. To remove dust and debris, vacuum the front, back and sides of the filter with the upholstery nozzle.
   • If possible, vacuum the outside of the filter to avoid dusting in the house.
3. 3 Rinse the filter under running water. Put the hose on the tap. Hold the filter so that the water flows in the opposite direction to the air flow. Rinse the filter thoroughly to remove dust and dirt.
   • To avoid damaging the filter, do not wash it under strong pressure.
4. 4 For more serious stains, wash with soapy water. If simple rinsing is not enough, try soaking the filter in soapy water. In a bowl, mix a drop of liquid dish soap and two glasses of warm water. Stir the solution. Soak a cloth in the solution and wipe the filter on both sides. Rinse the filter with water and let it dry completely.
   • Shake off any excess water before leaving the filter to dry.
   • If grease, smoke or pet hair gets into the filter, wash it with soapy water.
5. 5 Dry the filter thoroughly. Blot the filter with dry paper towels and leave outside to air dry.Make sure the filter is completely dry before reinstalling it.
   • If you ignore this rule, mold can form in the filter and spread throughout the house.
6. 6 Replace the filter. Insert the filter back into the housing. Make sure the filter is pointing in the right direction. Close the ventilation grill and fasten the screws or latches.
   • The filter should fit snugly against the vent and not appear bent. Make sure there are no gaps between it and the hole.

Method 3 of 3: Decide whether to clean or replace filters

1. 1 Replace disposable air filters. A cleanable air filter is advertised as “washable”, “durable” and / or “reusable”. Do not wash paper or other disposable air filters. Also, don't waste time vacuuming them.
   • If you rinse the disposable filter, it can become clogged and mold inside it.
   • Disposable filters can rupture due to vacuum cleaner or compressed air. At low pressures, this may be a temporary solution, but it is not durable either.
2. 2 Clean or change your car air filter regularly. Clean or change the filter every 20,000-25,000 kilometers, or even more often if you are driving on dusty roads or heavily polluted areas. Examine the air filter under strong light. Clean or replace the filter if it is darkened or clogged with debris.
   • The disposable filter should be replaced, while the reusable filter can be vacuumed or washed.
   • Failure to replace the air filter in time can result in increased gas mileage, ignition problems, or burned out spark plugs.
3. 3 Clean or change the air filter in your home regularly. Clean or change the filter every three months, and even more often during the season. Clean or change the boiler filter monthly during the heating season. During hot weather, clean or change the center air filter every month or two.
   • If the filter is disposable, replace it. If reusable, vacuum or wash it.
   • Change the filter more often if there is a lot of dust or pet hair on it.
   • Failure to clean the air filters for your home can lead to malfunctioning of the heating system and even fire.