Non-woven fabric and filter cotton both go in air filters to catch dust, but they’re not interchangeable. Here’s the quick, no-jargon breakdown to pick the right one:
- What They’re Made Of
Non-woven fabric: Made from chemical or natural fibers (via processes like melt-spinning). It’s soft, breathable, and non-irritating—but not great with heat.
Filter cotton: Made from synthetic or glass fibers. The main wins? It filters way better and handles high temps.
- How Well They Filter
Non-woven fabric: Only catches big stuff (like large dust). Can’t handle tiny particles (fine dust) or germs—good for basic pre-filtration, nothing more.
Filter cotton: The heavy hitter. Catches bacteria, viruses, pollen, and small gunk—if you want truly clean air, this is it.
- Where They’re Used
Non-woven fabric: Disposable stuff—basic face masks, cheap one-time air purifier filters. For low-effort, basic needs.
Filter cotton: Places that need good air—high-end purifiers, medical masks (the ones doctors use), hospital operating rooms. No cutting corners here.
Wrap-Up
Need cheap, disposable filters for big dust? Go non-woven. Need to block germs or tiny particles? Pick filter cotton. Easy as that!
