Are you sick of having to replace the filter on your vacuum cleaner all the time? Or, even worse, do you worry about the harmful particles that might still be in your home after you have vacuumed? Look no further than filtration with more than one stage.
This clever system does not just catch dirt and other debris; it also catches allergens and other pollutants, making your home cleaner and healthier.
In this article, I will talk about the advantages of multi-stage filtration and why it is a game-changer for anyone who wants to improve the quality of the air inside their home.
Prepare to breathe easier and say goodbye for good to floors that are dusty and dirty.
Multi-Stage Filtration in Vacuum Cleaners
Multi-stage filtration is a type of filtration system that is built into vacuum cleaners to catch smaller and smaller particles as the air moves through the vacuum cleaner.
This system is made up of a series of finer filters that are bigger than they need to be and get smaller as they move through the air.
The more surface area a vacuum cleaner’s filter has, the better it filters because there is more space to catch particles and the filter gets clogged less often.
Air-to-Cloth Ratio
How well a vacuum cleaner filters depends on how much air is trying to pass through the filter media and how big its surface area is.
The ratio of air to fabric is called the air-to-cloth (ATC) ratio.
The filtering system works best when the ATC is low.
In the same way, the filtering system works less well the higher the ATC.
Chemical Filtration
Some vacuum cleaners also change the physical properties of gases or vapors by using chemical filtration.
For example, this type of filtration is used in Nilfisk mercury vacuums.
Industrial Vacuum Cleaners
Industrial vacuum cleaners need to have good filtration because they are used in places where dust and debris can cause problems.
Industrial vacuum cleaners with Class H filters can catch up to 99.995% of dust.
This is a big improvement over older models.
Dyson Multi-Stage Filtration System
Dyson has made its own multi-stage filtration system that uses cyclones to separate particles from the airflow.
The Selective Catalytic Oxidation (SCO) filter from Dyson keeps breaking down formaldehyde at the molecular level.
This makes it a good way to get rid of formaldehyde in indoor spaces.
Up to 99.95% of pollutants as small as 0.1 microns are caught by Dyson’s fully sealed filtration.
Stages of Filtration
Most vacuum cleaners with more than one stage of filtration have at least three stages.
The first stage is a pre-filter that gets rid of large particles.
The second stage is a HEPA filter that gets rid of smaller particles, and the third stage is a carbon filter that gets rid of smells.
Some vacuum cleaners may have more stages of filtration, such as catalytic filters or chemical filters.
Nilfisk Multi-Stage Filtration System
All Nilfisk industrial vacuum cleaners have a built-in filtration system with more than one stage and a graduated size.
How well the filtering system works depends on how much air is trying to pass through the filter material and how big its surface area is.
Because there is more space to catch particles, a filter with a larger surface area works better and gets clogged less often.
Some Nilfisk vacuum cleaners also change the physical properties of gases or vapors by using chemical filtration.
Types of Filters
Filtration systems with more than one stage have different kinds of filter materials in each cartridge.
The number of filtration stages in a system with more than one stage depends on who made it and how it will be used.
Different kinds of filtration happen at each stage of a multi-stage filter.
This is different from mixed-media filters, which use different kinds of filter materials in a single cartridge.
- Common types of filters used in multi-stage systems include:
- Sediment filters, which remove larger particles such as sand, silt, dirt, and other suspended solids.
- Carbon filters, which remove chlorine and other chemicals.
- Granular activated carbon (GAC) filters, which reduce unwanted tastes and odors by absorption.
- Reverse osmosis membranes, which remove impurities such as fluoride, lead, arsenic, copper, and parasitic cysts from the water down to 1/10,000 of a micron.
- Deionization filters, which remove any remaining impurities from the water.
Reverse Osmosis Filtration System
Reverse osmosis (RO) is another type of multi-stage filtration system.
It has three stages: sediment and carbon (two stages), reverse osmosis (three stages), and reverse osmosis with deionization (four stages RO/DI).
Some systems also have a fourth stage where the water is deionized to get rid of any remaining impurities.
Benefits of Using a Vacuum Cleaner with Multi-Stage Filtration
Multi-Stage Filtration: Benefits and Functionality
- Multi-stage filtration is a type of vacuum cleaner filtration system that is used in both industrial and home vacuum cleaners. Unlike single-stage filtration systems, multi-stage filtration systems contain a series of progressively finer filters that capture increasingly smaller particles as the air travels through the system. This type of filtration system offers several benefits, including:
- Containment of Contaminants: Multi-stage filtration helps to keep contaminants contained, which is especially important in industrial settings where the release of contaminants can lead to product recalls and other costly consequences.
- Wide Range of Pollutant Capture: Multi-stage filtration systems are effective at capturing a wide range of pollutants, including bacteria, viruses, pollen, dust, gases, odors, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
- Fully-Sealed Filtration: Fully-sealed filtration ensures that the machine can powerfully project clean air to every corner of the room.
- Chemical Filtration: Chemical filtration changes the physical characteristic of a gas or vapor and adsorbs toxic vapors while exhausting clean air into the environment.
HEPA Filters and Asthma
High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are a good choice for people with asthma because they remove about 98% of air pollutants, even ones as small as 0.3 microns.
A 2018 review, on the other hand, found that single strategies, like using an air purifier by itself, did not improve asthma measures in general.
The authors of the review thought that a mix of methods might help improve asthma outcomes.
One study that combined HVAC maintenance with a high-efficiency, disposable MERV 12 HVAC filter showed that whole-house filtration helped asthma patients.
Air Filtration and Allergies
Air filtration is just one of a number of things that may help kids and adults with asthma and allergies.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the American Lung Association recommend air filtration for people with allergies and asthma, but not as a solution on its own.
It is important to remember that controlling the pollution and ventilation that cause allergy symptoms are more important than using filters to reduce allergy symptoms.
Dyson’s Multi-Stage Filtration System
Dyson’s vacuum cleaners have filters with more than one stage.
The pre- and post-motor filters are in charge of filtering out the smallest particles.
As part of their fully sealed filtration system, they can remove 99.97% of particles that can not be seen by the human eye.
Engineers at Dyson make sure that all of the air that comes out of their machines has been filtered by sealing the filter inside the machine and making sure that all of the airflow paths are properly sealed.
Maintenance of Vacuum Cleaners with Multi-Stage Filtration
- Multi-Stage Filtration in Vacuum Cleaners: What You Need to Know
Cleaning and Replacing Filters
To get the most out of your vacuum, you need to clean or replace the filters.
This keeps dirt and debris from getting into the important mechanical parts, keeps dirt and debris from going back into the air, and improves the air quality in your home.
If your vacuum cleaner’s filters get clogged, it will have less suction power and last less time.
Because of this, it is important to clean or replace them as often as the manufacturer suggests.
When it comes to cleaning or replacing filters, different manufacturers have different suggestions.
For example, Electrolux says that fine dust filters should be cleaned every month and HEPA filters should be cleaned or replaced every 6 to 12 months, depending on how often they are used.
After 1,000 hours of use, Nilfisk suggests replacing the HEPA filter and washing the main filter two or three times with a mild detergent like Woolite.
The main filter should be changed every three to five years or when the vacuum stops working well enough.
The HEPA filter in the Dreame T20 can be cleaned every four to six months, but it is best to get a new one before it stops working well.
Dyson says that you should clean its filter well once a month and replace it once a year.
Downsides of Multi-Stage Filtration
Using a vacuum cleaner with more than one level of filtration can be bad in some ways.
The more surface area a vacuum cleaner’s filter has, the better it filters.
However, this means there is less airflow to lift and move dirt, which makes the vacuum less effective.
Also, multi-stage vacuums are not as good at picking up heavy, porous objects as single-stage pumps.
Also, if the vacuum is not properly sealed to keep particles from escaping, it could do more harm than good by spreading the contaminants.
Lastly, the air-to-cloth ratio, which is the relationship between the volume of air and the surface area of the filter media, can affect how well the filter works.
If the air-to-cloth ratio is high, the filter will work less well.
Suction Power and Filtration
When using a vacuum cleaner with more than one level of filtration, suction power is very important.
The suction motor makes vacuum pressure and suction by spinning a motor fan at 30,000 to 35,000 RPM, which is a very fast speed.
The vacuum motor makes this airflow, which is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM) and shows how well a vacuum cleaner can clean.
The dust bag or container is part of the filtration system, and the price of vacuum cleaners with HEPA filtration can go up if the bag or container is hard to clean.
Multi-stage filtration systems have filters that get finer as the air moves through the system and catch smaller and smaller particles.
The more filter area a vacuum cleaner has, the better it filters because there are more places for particles to get caught.
Absolute Filters with HEPA Certification
Some manufacturers put absolute filters with HEPA certification in their vacuum cleaners to protect the most important parts of the machine from getting dirty.
This means that not only does the filter meet HEPA standards, but so does the rest of the machine.
This protects the motor and makes it last longer by meeting HEPA H13 standards.
So, when using a vacuum cleaner with more than one level of filtration, suction power is an important thing to consider.
Activated Carbon Filter: An Essential Component of Multi-Stage Filtration in Vacuum Cleaners
When it comes to vacuum cleaners, multi-stage filtration is the key to effective cleaning and maintaining indoor air quality.
One of the most important components of multi-stage filtration is the activated carbon filter.
This type of filter is designed to remove odors, gases, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air, making it an essential tool for those with allergies or respiratory issues.
Activated carbon filters work by trapping pollutants in tiny pores within the filter material, which are then absorbed by the carbon.
This process not only improves air quality but also extends the life of the vacuum cleaner by preventing clogs and reducing wear and tear on the motor.
In short, the activated carbon filter is a crucial part of any vacuum cleaner’s multi-stage filtration system.
For more information:
Activated Carbon Filters in Vacuums: Benefits & FAQs
Top Vacuum Cleaners with Multi-Stage Filtration
- Multi-Stage Filtration: The Key to Effective Vacuum Cleaning
Vacuum cleaners are now a must-have in every home because they make cleaning easier and faster.
But not every vacuum cleaner works the same.
Some are better than others at getting rid of fine dust and other airborne particles that can make allergies and asthma worse.
This is where filtration with more than one stage comes in.
What is Multi-Stage Filtration?
Multiple filters work together in a process called “multi-stage filtration” to catch particles of different shapes and sizes.
High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are the most common type of filter in vacuum cleaners.
They can remove up to 99.7% of particles as small as 0.3 microns.
But some vacuum cleaners have extra filters, like pre-filters and post-filters, to catch bigger particles and keep the machine from getting clogged.
The Best Vacuum Cleaners with Multi-Stage Filtration
- If you’re looking for a vacuum cleaner with multi-stage filtration, there are several options available on the market. Here are some of the best ones:
- SEBO Airbelt D4
- Miele Complete C3 Marin Canister Vacuum Cleaner
- Shark Vertex Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum with DuoClean PowerFins
- ECOVACS Deebot N8 Pro+
- APEX Upright Vacuum Cleaner
- CleanView Bagless Vacuum
- Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Plus Vacuum
- Boost CX1
- Dyson V15 Animal Pro+ Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
- Dyson V11 Torque Drive Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
All of these vacuums have a HEPA filter that can get rid of up to 99.7% of fine dust and airborne particles.
This makes them perfect for people with allergies or asthma.
Also, they are all light and easy to move, so they can be used to clean stairs and places with limited space.
When choosing a vacuum cleaner, it is important to think about how many stages of filtration it has.
It can make a big difference in how clean the air is in your home, especially if you or someone in your family has asthma or allergies.
With all the different vacuum cleaners on the market, you can find one that fits your needs and your budget.
Conclusion
In conclusion, vacuum cleaners with more than one level of filtration are a big step forward.
It not only keeps your home clean and free of dust and allergens, but it also makes your vacuum last longer.
With the improvement of technology, multi-stage filtration systems have become more efficient and effective, making them a must-have for any homeowner.
I can tell you that buying a vacuum cleaner with a filtration system that has more than one stage is a good idea.
It will not only make the air in your home better, but it will also save you money in the long run because you will not have to change the filter as often.
So, the next time you need a vacuum cleaner, think about getting one with a filtering system that has more than one stage.
Your lungs and bank account will be grateful.
Do not forget that a clean house is a healthy house.
Looking for a new robot vacuum?
Choosing a gadget can be very difficult if you know nothing about the technology.
Some will pay for features they do not need while others may not consider what they really want.
So I created this quick, newbie guide to help you focus on what is really important to you:
The best robot vacuum for you.
Links and references
-The Filters and Filtration Handbook, Fifth Edition
-Freudenberg Filtration Technologies product catalog
My article on the topic:
