Additional Information

The right filter for every vacuum cleaner

Many modern hoovers use so-called HEPA filters. They catch whirled up dirt particles and ensure that they do not get into the ambient air. Even tiny dirt particles, bacteria and animal hair can be reliably removed with high-performance HEPA filters. Unlike conventional filters, HEPA filters do not work like a sieve. Instead, they utilise inertia and diffusion to capture and bind small particles. The use of HEPA filters is particularly recommended for pet owners and people with allergies. The filters absorb allergy-causing particles, such as pollen, animal hair and mites, thoroughly and reliably.

Here in the online shop at air-care.ch you will find modern and high-quality HEPA filters for hoovers from Miele, Dyson and Philips. In addition to filters from the original manufacturers, we also offer affordable alternative spare parts.

Why hoover filters are needed?

The hoover must channel the exhaust air back into the room. Without a filter, the exhaust air would be contaminated with dust and other particles. This can lead to increased allergy symptoms, a musty odour and the spread of bacteria in the home. In extreme cases, it means that vacuuming only spreads the dirt around the house.

To avoid this, all hoovers are equipped with filters. The aim of these filters is to remove dust and dirt before it escapes back into the room. The difference between the hoovers lies in the effectiveness of the filters used.

Many hoovers have a primary and a secondary filter. For bagless hoovers, the first filter is usually the cyclone system. For bagged hoovers, it is the bag itself.

Primary vacuum filter

Its job is to capture most of the dust and dirt from the air that has been sucked into the hoover before it is released back into the environment.

Secondary filter

Many hoovers also have a secondary filter. On hoovers with a bag, the secondary filter is fitted after the bag to capture smaller particles. In bagless hoovers, the filter is often located behind the collection container.

However, not all hoovers have multiple filters. In some bagged hoovers, only the bag is filtered, while cheaper bagless models usually only have a filter after the dust container.

Vacuum cleaner filter types

Cartridge filters and bags

The cartridge filters and bags in hoovers are disposable filters and are therefore replaced from time to time. You can easily replace cartridge filters yourself by simply removing and inserting them. Depending on the model of your hoover, cartridge filters can act as primary or secondary filters. They are made from materials such as foam, folded paper and textiles.

Cloth filters

These filters are used in large hoovers designed to remove large particles on construction sites, in shops and industrial environments. They are usually washable, robust and very easy to handle compared to other filter types. You will find these filters in industrial hoovers, workshop hoovers, older hoover models and integrated hoover systems. As the name suggests, these filters are often washed and reused before being replaced.

Foam filters

Foam filters are probably the simplest type of filter. The air is forced through a layer of foam that traps small dust particles and allergens.

Foam filters are usually used after the dirt container or main filter, as they are not designed for larger contaminants. One advantage of these filters is that they are often washed and reused. However, before deciding to reuse a foam filter, you should check the manufacturer's operating instructions to see whether such an option is provided.

Filter classes for vacuum cleaners

HEPA filter

HEPA is an abbreviation for "High-Efficiency Particulate Absorbing". Originally, this system was intended for air filtration in special or sensitive circumstances, e.g. in the healthcare sector. However, since the invention of these filters, their use has diversified so that they are now also used in hoovers, tumble dryers, air purifiers and many other household appliances.

Depending on the filter class, the filters are able to remove 99.999% of all air particles from a size of 0.1 micrometres. This means that a high-quality HEPA filter can remove pathogens, allergens and particles, which can also be harmful to health, from the air.

HEPA filters are, however, only effective in conjunction with hoovers that are airtight. If some air can escape through openings in the appliance, the filters are no longer fully effective.

Anti-microbiological filters

In these filters, additives are added to the filter to prevent the occurrence or proliferation of fungi and bacteria. They effectively ensure that the air is sterilised before it is released back into the environment. There are now a whole range of manufacturers who use antimicrobial filters in their hoover bags. The filters usually cost slightly more than conventional filters and last up to 6 to 8 months, depending on how often they are used.

Allergy sufferer filters

This is another type of labelling that you can find on some filters. The filter is designed to capture the smallest particles (allergens) from the air, which an ordinary filter is not suitable for. However, their filter performance does not exceed that of HEPA-labelled filters.

Washable filters

Some filters are designed so that they can be washed, dried and reused. This extends the service life of a filter and reduces the operating costs of the hoover. Not all filters are washable and you should therefore study the manufacturer's instructions carefully before cleaning the hoover filter.

Odour filter

It may happen that you need to vacuum air that is contaminated by odours. Once the hoover has sucked up this air, fragrance elements can be used to give the hoover's exhaust air a pleasant scent.

ULPA filter

Stands for "Ultra-Low Penetration Air" and characterises filters that are used in environments such as pharmaceutical laboratories where a high standard of uncontaminated air must be maintained. However, these filters wear out quite quickly and are generally not washable.

Activated carbon filters

Activated carbon filters are designed to remove odours, which is why they are often used in hoovers for pets. Activated carbon consists of carbon to which oxygen has been added. This makes them permeable to air, but attracts certain substances. The result is that many odours are absorbed, leaving the air smelling fresher and cleaner.

An activated carbon filter has a limited number of "binding sites". When these are used up, the filter no longer works and must be replaced.