Keeping your home from dirt, dust, and debris is worth the time and effort you’re investing. Getting rid of these irritants ensures that your family is safe and comfortable and veers you away from the health problems that can cost a lot of money.
One important appliance that helps you achieve just that is your vacuum cleaner. This powerful tool makes daily cleaning chores a whole lot easier. It’s pretty simple to use and takes very little effort from your end, making the task efficient.
What’s remarkable is that vacuum cleaners are becoming effective through the years, with the advancement of technology bringing in new features to these machines.
A major innovation is the introduction of UV germicidal lamps that massively increases the way ordinary vacuum cleaners work and their effectiveness. Here, we’ll delve deeper into and know more about UV light sanitizing vacuums and how they can be a great addition to your home.
Understanding UV Light
Before anything else, it’s essential to know what ultraviolet light is. UV light is actually a type of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun and transmitted in particles or waves at varying frequencies and wavelengths.
UV technology replicates the radiation, allowing people to use it in various industrial processes and in medical and dental purposes. Some of its well-known uses include producing fluorescent effects, phototherapy, suntanning, and curing resins and ink.
Of course, ultraviolet radiation, especially ultraviolet-C (UVC), is also widely used for its effective sterilization and disinfection properties. Today, germicidal UVC light is the first option for the majority of the industries that air, water, and surface disinfection. As such, it’s little wonder that the technology also reached our trusty cleaning allies – vacuum cleaners.
What is a UV light sanitizing vacuum?
UV light sanitizing vacuums are basically ordinary vacuum cleaners equipped with a UV germicidal lamp. The integration of UV light makes vacuum cleaners effective not only in removing dust, dirt, pet hair and dander, pollen, and allergens but also in eliminating dust mites, germs, bacteria, and other infectious microorganisms. Thus, giving them an edge over typical vacuum cleaners.
How does a UV light sanitizing vacuum work?
A UV light sanitizing vacuum utilizes a beater bar and an ultraviolet germicidal lamp in sanitizing a targeted surface. The light shines and sanitizes the surface as you vacuum. At the same time, the beater bar flusters the area. With that, all particles and dust mites are agitated and are collected into the vacuum. The two mechanisms work side by side, making an incredible combo that effectively cleans and sanitizes your home.
Does a UV light sanitizing vacuum actually work?
As a relatively new technology that has been integrated into vacuums, it’s no surprise that many raise their eyebrows on the true effectiveness of these machines. Fortunately, studies have already been made that prove that UV light sanitizing vacuums are indeed more effective in sanitization than ordinary vacuum cleaners.
In 2010, Ohio University conducted a study and found out that ultraviolet light doubles the tool’s bringing down the microbial loads on a surface and in dropping CFUs (colony forming units) of bacteria to zero. Two years later, a separate study reported by the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine attests UV-C light’s power in ravaging organisms’ nucleic acid (DNA and RNA), making it lethal for bacteria and dust mites.
Meanwhile, researchers found Duke University in 2018 reported in a study that UV-C lightly decreased the cases of two common infections linked to hospital settings, which further attest to UV technology’s effectiveness.
Are UV light sanitizing vacuums safe?
If you’re worried about the safety of these vacuums, remember that ultraviolet light has long been used in various industries, which ensures that they are also safe to use inside your home and around kids and pets. Wavelengths utilized in these vacuums are not known to lead to health problems. Extensive research has also been done revolving around UV technology – no wonder that it has been used across the decades.
Should you get a UV light sanitizing vacuum?
Typical vacuum cleaners do not target certain allergens, dust mites, and germs, which is why getting one with ultraviolet light is a must for a thorough clean.
If you’re having issues with pesky dust mites, UV light sanitizing vacuums kills dust mites and their eggs lodged deeply within the fabric. As UV light shines on them, it alters their genetic makeup, killing them and stopping their reproductive cycle. That means you don’t only solve a part of the problem, but rather prevent them from recurring.
If anyone in your home is dealing with bad allergies instead, this machine can also work great as they often come with HEPA filters. The HEPA filtration system is deemed as the best industry as it can remove more than 99% of 0.125 micron-sized particulates, allergens, and mite matter. Thus, you can be confident that all of them are collected, keeping you and your loved ones away from allergic respiratory symptoms.
Lastly, you might notice most UV light sanitizing vacuums are handheld. That’s because they are generally designed to clean your sofa, bed, sheets, mattress, and pillows, items that larger, ordinary vacuum cleaners can’t usually tackle. Handheld UV sanitizing vacuums provide portability and ensure you get to cover and sanitize more areas than you had ever before.
What factors should you look at when buying a UV light sanitizing vacuum?
Like with any purchase, you need to take some consideration into account to help you get the best unit. Here are some factors to consider to get the best out of your money’s worth:
Ease of Use: As most UV light sanitizing vacuums are handheld, it’s advisable to purchase one that you will have a smoother time using. Opt for units with a cordless design so you won’t have to deal with long cables and instead get a more comfortable experience. Check if the model comes with extender bars and other accessories. Plus, inspect the grip to make sure you won’t get one with an awkward grip.
HEPA Filter: As mentioned, HEPA boasts the best filtration technology and is the gold standard for all vacuum units. While they come at a higher cost, members of your family who are suffering from asthma and certain allergies can greatly benefit from them. Just be mindful that some manufacturers would label their units as HEPA-like or HEPA-type. Always are for certifications that will prove that the model passes the standards.
Particle Size: UV light vacuum sanitizers should be able to filter particles as small as 0.3, with the best even capable of cleaning 0.125 micron-sized particles. Some UV vacuums may not disclose these limits. Be careful not to end up with a machine that can only clean large particle sizes.
High Beating Pace: Higher beating pace from a UV vacuum cleaner’s flapping means being able to remove dirt, dust, and mites move quickly and efficiently. However, you may also want to check if they can be adjusted or turned on and off, which can be handy in dealing with and cleaning different types of fabric or materials.
If you want to elevate your house’s cleanliness, you should consider buying a UV light sanitizing vacuum today. Use all the information presented in this article and make that smart purchase to make your home a more comfortable and safer place to live.