HEPA filters

Most vacuums come with standard filtration systems which are more than adequate for households without pets or allergen sufferers.

HEPA stands for 'High Efficiency Particle Arresting', and is a filtration system for reducing the amount of harmful allergens in the air. HEPA filters are not only incorporated into vacuum cleaner, but can also be found in the majority of good air purifiers.

Because vacuums intake air to create suction, this can mean with poor filtration systems dust and allergens can be taken off the floor and circulated into the air.

Presently there are no standarised filtration regulations for the vacuum industry. Therefore it's up to the manufacturers what filters they employ into their machines. Currently the three most popular types of filtration systems are as follows,

1. Filter with no protection against known allergens. The more levels of filters the greater chance that allergens will be caught.
2. Life time filters. These can be cleaned and cut down on costs. But just because they can be reused again and again, does not mean they protect against allergens
3. HEPA filters, which are specifically designed to aid in the removal of allergens and to remove dust to aid those with breathing difficulties, such as asthma sufferers.

Allergens that HEPA helps protect against. A HEPA filters is now capable of catching particles which are as small as 0.01 micron. The most common allergens it protects against are,

1. Dust mite feces
2. Pollen
3. Pet dander, which is dead animal skin flakes
   

The best way a vacuum cleaner can incorporate a HEPA filter is to make sure that not only air taken in goes through the filter, but also that air expelled goes through the filter.

The filter also has to placed so it's air tight and no air can escape around the filter. Also the more filter a vacuums has the more powerful motor it needs. Therefore look for a powerful motor as well as HEPA filter in a vacuum.