I’m a clean freak and admit I do come from a family of clean freaks. I’m also a chronic hayfever sufferer. I’m the person walking around with a hand over my nose, telling people not to shake carpets or unsettle any dust. Until recently, I didn’t know how dirty the air was. Read on to discover what’s hiding in the air you breathe, ailments that come from dirty air and the fix. This is my ultimate guide on what air purifiers, humidifiers and dehumidifiers can do for you. You’ll also get your laundry done faster, which is a big bonus.

Keeping it clean

As a mum, I’m obsessed with getting the kitchen to sparkle. Vacuuming up pesky kid crumbs and organising sock drawers are also jobs I’m obsessed with. I’m also a hayfever sufferer. Yes, one of these ‘poor souls.’

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), almost one in five Australians (more than 4.6 million people) had allergic rhinitis in 2017-18, with the ACT having the highest rate (29 per cent). News.com.au

Every year, when spring hits after the long hard Melbourne winter, I’m excited. The next thing that happens is an itchy nose and a box of tissues. Most years, I go ‘head-to-head’ with this monster. I’ve tried so many different things over the years.

These include:

• Nasal spray
• Hayfever injection
• Every pill on the market
• Natural therapies
• Drowning my eyes with water
• Honey from local bees

While, I know the local pollen has much to do with this, I’ve never considered other factors ‘in the air.’ I’ve started reading about air purifiers for this coming spring season to see if they can help me.

Harmful effects of breathing dirty air

Here are the little known facts about how breathing dirty air can harm you:

General Air Pollution

• Asthma attacks
• Infections
• Decreased airflow
• Excess mucous
• Lung cancer
• Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
• Heart attacks
• Systemic inflammation
• Blood clots
• Stroke
• Headaches and anxiety
• Reduced IQ
• Behavioural problems
• Link to dementia

Babies

• Preterm birth
• Low birth weight
• Systemic inflammation
• Link to autism

Source: HOW POLLUTION HARMS THE BODY: Moms Clean Airforce

Here’s what Air Purifiers remove

• Large particles
• Harmful gases such as TVOC, smoke and odours
• Ultrafine particles (e.g. 0.003um) that include allergens, dust and dust mites

Systems like the Philips Air Purifiers are effective. This is because their systems deal with all three of the issues above. The multi-layer filtration system deals with the large particles. Active carbon filters remove any harmful gases and odours. They also include a HEPA filter, which removes allergens and dust particles.

TVOC is a grouping of a wide range of organic chemical compounds to simplify reporting when these are present in ambient air or emissions. Many substances, such as natural gas, could be classified as volatile organic compounds (VOCs).Mar 22, 2019 Total Volatile Organic Compounds | National Pollutant Inventory

How to clean the dirty air you didn’t know you were breathing

I’m working with Philips to bring you this ultimate guide on the latest technology available:

Vitashield Technology does this:

• Trap indoor contaminants without generating ozone
• Trap secondary pollutants in the process
• Remove pollen, dust, dust mites, pet dander and mold spores

Extra-Sensitive Allergen modes do this:

• Allergen mode monitors air quality and boosts airflow
• Bacteria and virus mode
• General mode

AeraSense Technology does this:

• Get instant info on your air quality at a glance
• Allergen index and colour ring will show even slight changes in air quality and in real-time
• You will know you are breathing the cleanest air

NanoCloud Technology (99% less bacteria) – Humidifiers

• Hygenic evaporation to assist with dry skin, itchy eyes, dry throat and coughing
• Spreads 99% less bacteria and no scale dust
• Reduce water droplets carrying bacteria through the air
• Avoid wet spots and white mineral dust
• Monitors and maintains humidity
• Distributes are in rooms up to 25m2
• Natural evaporation to add water molecules to room air
• Adjust humidity levels to 40%, 50% or 60%
• Automatic shut-off and real-time digital display
• Two fan speeds and humidification rates for different sized rooms E.g. Medium room 220ml/hr for up to 25m2

Dehumidifiers & Purifiers

• Purify air while removing excess moisture
• Remove dampness and prevent mold growing
• Protect furniture from damage
• Help laundry dry faster
• Control mold, mildew, pollutants and allergens
• Effective year-round in damp environments
• Purify air at the same time during dehumidification
• Adjust levels to get the best air quality

Air Humidifiers

• Manage indoor humidity levels
• Reduce mold, mildew, bacteria and dust mites
• Remove up to 23L of water per day
• Reduce damage on furniture and homewares
• Breathe healthier air
• Dry laundry modes to increase clothes drying speeds
• Continuous dry mode will run non-stop and alert you when the water tank needs refilling
• Air purifier only mode combines moisture control with air purification
• Purifier only mode will clean air even when the air is dry
• Filter ultra-fine particles (0.02microns)
• Remove 99.9% of airborn allergens
• Deliver clean air at 270m3/hr

Extra features that might be important to you:

• Adjustable settings control the mode, fan speed, timer and child lock.
• Automatic alerts tell you when it’s time to empty the tank or change the filter.
• The air dehumidifier has wheels, allowing easy movement throughout the home.

Prices for dehumidifiers range from between $450 – $900 depending on the system you are after. Read more at the Philips website.

*Sponsored. Note: I would never write about a product I wouldn’t use myself. The Savings Room takes pride in only working with reputable brands. Only the most reputable and high-quality products and services feature in the Savings Room.