Old Reviews Cleaning your carbon pre-filter

[BLACKBRIAR]

Greetings AFN Brothers and Sisters...

It is time for me to clean my Phresh Carbon Filter, pre filter.

I would like to know what others have done to do it, here is what I was planning-

Remove filter and either hand wash with a diluted soap/water and air dry

or

Use the washing machine and air dry. Either way I would assume no dryer unless its AIR only, as it could shrink? Anyone that has done this feel free to chime in, Id like to hear it.

:thumbs: Blackbriar

 

[BLACKBRIAR]

Alright, This morning I woke up ate breakfast and burned one . I took about a half hour to clean up my Phresh 4x12 pre filter. I would say I got it to about 85 % of where I wanted it. If you really want it perfect, a pressure washer would work well too OR just spend about an hour wringing it, eventually it will get there . If you use a pressure washer be sure not to go too close as I can foresee it ripping the material. Heres what I did :

1) Its a good idea to remove the plants from the tent first - when removing, duct and dirt will come off the filter and land on the plants. This is just a heads up because I had to rinse my girls afterwards, as they got dusty. Remove the pre filter from the filter itself
View attachment 163284

2) Go outside and whack the majority off the filter, or use a vacuum cleaner to suck the majority off. Pay attention here because you don't want to immediately wash the filter under a faucet, this will push the dust further INTO it. make sure to just get the majority of crud off first, vacuum works best I think.
View attachment 163285 removed, picture before vacuuming.

3) Fill your kitchen sink up about 2-3 inches. Here I used about half bleach (laundry kind) and half water. You can also use dawn or any dishsoap. Submerse the filter into the sink and basically wring it, twist it, you can even use a sponge to help scrub a bit, keep wringing it while submersed in the bleach/water. You may have to drain and refill the sink again, you will see the water turn nasty and dark. That's your signal to swap the liquid for new. I did this three times and each time got better and better. When you get it to where you like it or happy with it, start rinsing it with warm water, take your time it makes a difference. Here is a pic of afterwards wrung out.
View attachment 163286

4) Set out to air dry. I would avoid a dryer with heat as it seems the material could shrink. If using a drier, maybe leave out the fabic softener and heat. Just Air is fine.
Quite a difference right? My theory is this, not only does a clogged filter limit the filtration capabilities, but my automotive experience would lead me to believe a dirty filter robs horsepower from the fan, but also can stress the fan out more. If a fan wants to suck at x amount, and is blocked, the fan will still try to run that hard but be blocked off, causing heat and wear, leading to premature failure.

I think keeping the pre filter clean will ensure odors stay down, prolong the life of the fan and possibly even the filter?

This applies to people that especially smoke in the same building their tent is at. I have a lot of negative pressure and the fan/filter sucks up my apartments smoke as I am a smoker of cigarettes also.

Thanks for stopping by, this may seem like a small thing but I really think it is wise to keep your equiptment running right. This filter was that dirty after a little over a month.

Peace to all of you and good luck!

Blackbriar.

PS- couldn't resist snapping a shot of my girls while I was in there Dinafem WWA around day 50

View attachment 163287

 

[Noods]

Great stuff Blackbriar! Thank you! :thumbs:
+rep for that and this:

They look great!

 

[BLACKBRIAR]

Noods, thank you!

I figured I would post this because after searching the net and in here, didn't find anything. I was wondering if most people just throw them out? I hope not, as you can get many uses I would imagine. Next time I will try the pressure washer, or washing machine. My hands smell like bleach now

about the girls, yeah they got really really bushy with a ton of leaves. Its like Im constantly shuffling leaves around for the others to get some light. When having the company build the LED unit, I opted for more blue wavelength and I think this may have something to do with it, not sure though.

+rep back at you Noods for all your fine work I was seeing the other night!

Peace

 

[Grey Bear]

holy crap dude! my boxes are in outbuildings and garages and I have never seen a prefilter anywhere close to dirty enough to be cleaned.
must be the cig smoke, cause one of our outbuildings is dirt floored as is the box with the filter.
great instructional for those that need to though!

 

[BLACKBRIAR]

Also wanted to add this in here. My Fiance uses baby powdered daily in the bedroom area when getting ready for the day. Im thinking the white dust looking stuff is from that for sure, it had the look and consistency of it. I think My Fan is acting as a vacuum/air cleaner for dust in my domicile.

 

[Noods]

She should switch from Baby Powder to Baby Oil and you could help her apply it. Win / Win situation- and cleaner filters!

 

[BLACKBRIAR]

She should switch from Baby Powder to Baby Oil and you could help her apply it. Win / Win situation- and cleaner filters!

:bone: I get all worked up and couldn't handle that. It would wind up making us both late for work and school! I think she uses it on her pillows and stuff to, shes always changing the bedding and cases, and dusting them with powder. I get in bed its all fresh soft and new, shes awesome. She totally was NOT on board in the beginning. I advised her to give me a shot and trust me. I told her you will thank me in about 2-3 months. She as well as I were both concerned with security as first priority which is the way it should be. Needless to say she is now on board with it. We are avoiding payin the middleman and stay nice and toasty now, and I don't have to pay outrageous prices for medicine for my lower back spasm

<going to check for baby oil>

this cracked me up dude, have a great day!

Briar

 

[Epic Genetics]

baby oil makes great lube too

peace