I’ve had a lot of people come to me in regards to choosing between air filters that are disposable, and air filters that can be cleaned and reused. It only makes sense that people come to me – after all, I do work in the heating and cooling department at my hardware store! Anyway, there’s some things to keep in mind if you’re trying to decide between a reusable air filter or one that can be trashed. For one, reusable air filters aren’t quite as effective at “catching” the airborne particulate in your house. It can catch some big stuff like the byproducts of a fireplace, but smaller stuff can’t always be trapped by the air filter. If you have a dog, cat, or other furry friend, you might want to stick with a disposable air filter since pet dander isn’t effectively captured by a reusable air filter. You’ll also want to think about whether you’re the patient type or not. I ask, because you’ll have to wash the air filter every single month! You can’t just hose down the filter and put it back in place, either – you have to thoroughly dry out the filter, or else the dampness of the filter will make your air ducts a breeding ground for bacteria. One last thing to consider is cost, as reusable air filters cost a lot more than their disposable counterparts. However, a reusable air filter can last for years if maintained – disposables won’t last more than two months, even if you have an air purification system in your house. If you’re pretty habitual about cleaning appliances, a reusable air filter might be right for you.