3 options how to make an air washer with your own hands

Today, an increasing number of individuals are concerned with the level of humidity and cleanliness of the air in their homes or apartments. This is a valid concern, as the quality of the air we breathe directly affects our well-being, particularly that of small children. Household appliance stores offer a wide variety of devices for both air purification and humidification (commonly referred to as air washers), each utilizing different technologies. However, as these devices can be quite expensive, DIY enthusiasts have devised simple solutions that can be made at home with minimal financial investment.

Simple device from a PET container and a fan

• A computer fan;
• A charger for a phone (if the fan’s speed is not sufficient, you can purchase a 12V power supply);
• A utility knife;
• A marker and absorbent cloths (microfiber can be used).

Once all the components are prepared, you are ready to begin the process of assembling the electric device.

1. Start by marking the spot for the cooler on the side of the bottle using a marker.
2. Next, use a box cutter to carefully cut out a large hole for the fan.
3. Make marks for the smaller holes that will serve as the outlets for the humidified air and for the napkins that will be placed across the container.
4. To create vent holes and napkin slots, use a soldering iron. Make sure to do this in a well-ventilated area or outdoors, as burning PET releases highly toxic fumes.
5. You can attach the cooler using a wire with a hook at the bottom. Thread the wire through the previously marked and burnt holes from the bottom, then pass it through the mounting holes of the cooler and bend it.
6. Finally, mount and secure the cooler with the wire.
7. Plug in the fan to the power source.
8. To allow air to circulate between them, create small openings on the sides of the wipes.
9. Fill the container halfway with water and place the napkins in it, following the instructions shown in the photo below.

When the liquid evaporates, it should be replaced regularly, ideally on a daily basis, by rinsing the wipes and the container with running water. While it is possible to operate the device without the wipes, it is highly recommended to use them as they significantly increase the area of moisture evaporation. Additionally, the inserts will partially capture dust particles in the air, allowing the device to function as a purifier.

To enhance air purification, you can also add a charcoal filter to the wipes, which can be purchased at household appliance stores.

Using the same approach, you can create a more visually appealing device by using a 10-liter plastic container. Simply drill outlet vents on the sides of the container and hang microfiber (or any ordinary cloth) on metal or plastic spokes (or wires) or even stretched fishing line.

If you want to reduce the noise coming from your cooler, one option is to place foam rubber underneath it (with a hole cut out). However, it is recommended to opt for a fan that has bearings or hydrodynamic technology, as these tend to have lower noise levels.

One suggestion offered by certain users for preventing the proliferation of different bacteria in water is to include a small amount of manganese crystals (resulting in a solution with a delicate pink hue).

From CDs

Below is an image depicting the interior view of the air washer in its original factory form.

To achieve cleaning and humidification, a large number of plastic disks are used in the device, increasing the surface area for moisture evaporation and contact with the air flow. This effectively turns the device into a water air purifier, as most of the dust adheres to the disks and is washed away in the water tray. A similar setup can be created at home using compact disks.

In order to create this setup, you will need a significant number of compact disks, ranging from 50 to 80, depending on the size of the water container.

In addition to the disks, you will also need to find a suitable axis on which to thread them. There are several options for constructing this axis, such as a plastic tube with the right diameter or a metal tube. However, the easiest solution, which can be purchased in the market, is a 10 mm stud with a threaded end.

In addition, you will need to purchase the required quantity of washers (which can be created from a portion of plastic), 2 bearings with a suitable diameter for seating, and nuts.

Next, adhere to the provided workflow algorithm.

1. To make the disks rough and improve their ability to absorb water, you can use sandpaper, a grinding wheel, or a drill bit to remove the top shiny layer.
2. Insert the disks onto the stud, making sure to place washers in between them.
3. To secure the disks to the sides of the shaft, use nuts. If you’re using plastic tubing, use a dressed plastic washer and a glue gun to secure the disks.
4. Place the bearings on the ends of the shaft and secure them with nuts. If you’re using a plastic axle, use a glue gun to attach the bearings.
5. On one side of the shaft, attach a pulley. You can create a pulley by gluing three disks together, with the middle one having a diameter 2-3 mm smaller than the side ones. Use a rubber band for money to dress the pulley.

However, prior to assembling the disks onto the shaft, it is necessary to ascertain the capacity on which this entire structure will be mounted. The length of the shaft should be such that the bearings protrude beyond the enclosure and are installed on the corners attached to it, as shown in the ensuing figure.

To ensure the passive does not fly off, it is essential to calculate the precise position on the shaft where the pulley will be fixed, ensuring it is directly opposite the motor pulley.

You can utilize a plastic container with a cover as the sink body, inside which the computer cooler is installed.

If you are not familiar with electronic circuits, you can easily connect the fan to the power source by using a pre-made 12V power supply unit.

For those who like to modify their fans and humidifiers, it is not uncommon to see them utilizing a power supply unit from a TV antenna along with a voltage regulator in order to adjust the cooler’s speed.

Rules of operation of such equipment

• Do not forget that when using the device inside the container, you should pour either distilled water or water that has been filtered to remove salts.
• Additionally, no matter what type of humidifier you use (or purchase), except for those that generate steam by boiling liquid, you should be aware of the potential danger of legionellosis. This is a severe infectious disease that initially presents symptoms similar to those of the flu or ARVI and can lead to severe inflammation of the lungs, known as pneumonia or "Legionnaires’ disease". In some cases, this type of pneumonia can be extremely severe and even fatal.

This disease is caused by the bacteria Legionella, which thrives in warm and moist environments such as water. Infection can occur through:

• If an individual breathes in untreated air from an unprocessed air conditioning system (referring to centralized systems with ducts that accumulate moisture),
• inhales humid air during showers,
• is in a room containing a humidifier or air washer that has not undergone a water change or disinfection for an extended period of time,
• inhales aerosol particles from water sources, such as fountains, etc.

Consequently, it is crucial to change the water in your device on a daily basis and thoroughly wash the container with running water. Additionally, the container should be treated with disinfectant solutions 1-2 times a week. Remember to rinse the container thoroughly after treatment to avoid inhaling the vapors of the disinfectant solution while using the appliance. Learn more about the intricacies of operating such devices here.