How To Clean Winix Air Purifier & Filter [Step By Step Guide]

Do you have a new WINIX air purifier, and do you feel it is time to clean it? And so, do you want to know how to clean it without damaging it? You’ve come to the right place, for we have researched this question, and we have the answer for you.

Here is a summary of the steps on how to clean the pre-filter of your WINIX air purifier:

1. Open the front panel.
2. Remove the pre-filter of your WINIX air purifier.
3. Use a vacuum cleaner on the pre-filter to eliminate light dirt on the filter.
4. Reinstall the pre-filter back into your WINIX air purifier.
5. Reinstall the front panel.

Let’s talk more about how to clean the other parts of your WINIX air purifier in the succeeding sections.

Read on!

How do WINIX air purifiers work?

At its most basic, an air purifier pulls in, purifies, and then pushes out clean air.

Technological advancement in filtration technology brought about the development of HEPA filters for air purifiers.

HEPA stands for “High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter,” according to the U.S. Department of Energy. A HEPA filter effectively removes up to 99.97% of pollen, bacteria, mold, and any airborne contaminants.

The spread of COVID-19 made it important to have air purifiers to maintain the indoor air quality in hospitals, schools, and workplaces.

Air purifiers for indoor use at home are effective in preventing the spread of harmful airborne particles that cause an allergic reaction, asthma attacks, or viral spread.

How do they work?

A WINIX air purifier has a pre-filter that separates the larger particles in the air as they enter the device. A carbon filter starts the filtration of the air, removing smaller particles from the air, including smoke and odors. The resulting air will then go through the HEPA filter.

The HEPA filter removes the tiniest particles in the air, including viruses, bacteria, and mold.

Once the HEPA filter removes what it can from the air, the result will go through plasma treatment.

WINIX PlasmaWave Technology

The PlasmaWave technology inside WINIX air purifiers uses electrical discharge to create dual polarity ions from the moisture in the air. This process places the air in a plasma-like state, separating the hydrogen and the oxygen from the water vapor molecules. The hydrogen and oxygen atoms then form hydroxyl radicals.

Hydroxyl radicals are unstable molecules that constantly strive for atomic equilibrium. They destroy surrounding molecules to get particles to stabilize themselves.

However, inside the PlasmaWave reservoir of a WINIX air purifier, the neighboring molecules are pollutants in the air, like bacteria, viruses, odors, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and chemical gases.

Stabilizing hydroxyl radicals destroys the contaminants and rearranges them into harmless atoms and molecules like oxygen, hydrogen, and water.

PlasmaWave Is Not An Ionizer

An ionizer produces negative ions, while PlasmaWave technology has positive and negative ions. This makes PlasmaWave technology superior to ionizer technology.

The negative ions weigh down pollutants in the air, forcing them to fall on the surface of furniture and the floor. However, average daily activities can cause these pollutants to become airborne again.

PlasmaWave technology effectively reduces the air's pollutants and prevents them from returning.

Is PlasmaWave technology safe?

PlasmaWave technology is safe for daily use because it meets the California Air Resource Board’s AB 2276 standard.

WINIX air purifiers are on CARB’s (California Air Resources Board) list of CARB-certified air cleaning devices.

Cleaning Your WINIX Air Purifier

Any appliance that cleans should also be kept clean. Regularly cleaning the appliances that keep your house clean prevents the dirt they take away from getting back into your home.

The same is true for an air purifier like WINIX.

Fortunately, cleaning your WINIX air purifier is relatively easy, and we have all the steps you need in the succeeding sections.

Keeping The Exterior Of Your WINIX Air Purifier Clean

1. Turn off your WINIX air purifier, then unplug it from the wall. Always ensure no electricity is running through the air purifier before you start cleaning it.
2. Leave the air purifier to cool at room temperature.
3. Once your WINIX has cooled down, use a vacuum to remove any accumulated dust on the vents.
4. Get a clean cloth and moisten it with water at room temperature.
5. Gently wipe the external case of your WINIX with a damp cloth. Rinse the fabric periodically as it gets dirty from wiping your WINIX.
6. Wipe the power cable of your WINIX with a clean, moist cloth.
7. Wipe the power cable with a clean dry cloth.
8. Let your WINIX air purifier completely dry off before you use it again.

Removing Stains

1. Mix one part cleaning vinegar and one part water in a shallow basin.
2. Dip a clean rag into the solution.
3. Wipe the stain with the rag and let it soak for a few minutes.
4. Wipe the area with a moist clean cloth.
5. Repeat Steps 2 to 4 until you remove the stain.

Harris Cleaning Vinegar is available on Amazon through this link.

Cleaning The Pre-Filter

The pre-filter is responsible for taking out larger debris, significantly reducing the load on the succeeding filters. Thus, it is recommended to clean the pre-filter every 14 days. If your location is dusty, you should clean the pre-filter more often—5 to 7 days would be ideal.

If the pre-filter becomes too dirty, the pathway of the air will become too small, and it can limit the flow of air into the filter, slowing down the rate of cleaning. Moreover, if the pre-filter becomes too dirty, the airflow will look for a different path into your air purifier. This pathway might bypass the pre-filter, and this can cause your carbon filter to become dirty faster.

The steps above to clean the pre-filter are best for light dirt. The steps below are for a moderately dirty pre-filter:

1. Use a soft brush to loosen the dirt on your pre-filter. Gently brush the pre-filter with a soft brush. Do not force the brush to remove tough dirt, which could damage the pre-filter.
2. Use the vacuum to clean the loose dirt.

Cleaning A Very Dirty Pre-Filter

1. Fill a large shallow basin with clean water at room temperature. Never use any detergent or soap to clean your pre-filter, no matter how dirty it is. This can affect the ability of your pre-filter to capture dirt in the air.
2. Soak your pre-filter in the basin with clean water for one to two hours to soften and dissolve the dirt.
3. Rinse the pre-filter with water at room temperature. Do not use strong flowing water to rinse the pre-filter, which could damage it.
4. Let the pre-filter dry naturally for 24 hours before reinstalling it into your WINIX air purifier.

Cleaning The AOC Carbon Filter

The AOC carbon filter of your WINIX air purifier is washable. You should clean the carbon filter at least once every 3 months. And just like the pre-filter, you must clean it more often if you live in a dusty area.

Additionally, you need to replace the AOC carbon filter every 12 months.

If you live in a dusty area, replace your carbon filter more often. Wash it three times, then replace it with a new AOC carbon filter instead of washing it the fourth time. Use a carbon filter that is made for your WINIX air purifier.

1. Place the carbon filter on a flat surface with the inner side facing the table.
2. Use a vacuum to remove the surface dirt only from the surface of the carbon filter facing up.
3. Use lightly running water at room temperature to rinse the carbon filter thoroughly. Never use any soap or detergent on the carbon filter. Using detergent or soap on your carbon filter will wash away the components of the carbon filter and make it less effective in blocking odors from the air.
4. Leave the carbon filter to dry for 24 hours before reinstalling it into your air purifier. It is essential to dry your carbon filter entirely before using it.

The HEPA Filter

You cannot wash or clean the HEPA filter on your WINIX air purifier. Cleaning it will ruin its ability to filter.

Instead of cleaning the HEPA filter, you should replace it every 12 months or less. Replace the HEPA filter when you replace the carbon filter. Your WINIX air purifier will notify you to replace your HEPA and carbon filters at 12 months.

Press and hold the “Filter Reset Button” for at least 5 seconds until you hear a beeping sound. Do this each time you replace your HEPA filter to reset the filter reset indicator light. The light will turn off after completing the reset.

Mchillnet 4 Pack C545 Replacement HEPA Filters are available on Amazon through this link.

Cleaning The Interior Of Your Air Purifier

Clean the interior shell each time you clean the filters of your air purifier. Use a vacuum to suck excess dirt and dust from the interior of your WINIX. Follow the steps for cleaning your WINIX's exterior and interior surface after cleaning it with a vacuum.

Conclusion

Cleaning your WINIX air purifier is a simple task. The drying part takes a lot more time than the cleaning part.

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