Can an Ionizer Reduce Dog Hair Accumulation?

Function

• An air ionizer, or electrostatic cleaner, will not drastically cut down on dog hair accumulation because it works by reversing the electric charge in airborne particles. This means the dog hair floating in your home is more likely to fall to the floor or stick to the walls than to collect in an ionizer's metal plate.

Benefits

• An Allergy Consumer Review of a Blueair 600 Series (as well as other models like it) indicated that air purifiers with multiple filters help to trap larger particles floating in the air. The review specifically mentions that these models help to contain pet hair using HEPA filters or a combination of HEPA technology and electrostatic cleaners.

Expert Insight

• Alen Corporation, whose air purifiers have been recommended by reputable press sources, offers four different models with HEPA filtration or a combination of HEPA and electrostatic filters. These models removed up to 99 percent of airborne contaminants, including pet hair. These tests, according to Alen Corp., were done at an independent testing facility.

Other Considerations

• A customer service associate from the Achoo Allergy website notes that air ionizers give off ozone, while HEPA filters do not. This associate also notes that HEPA filters actually will pull the air through very small openings and will capture pet hair. She says, however, that any air purifier is not a substitute for cleaning, and that dog owners should still vacuum and dust their home frequently to avoid hair accumulation.