Best Ultraviolet UV-C Light Wand Sanitizers for Killing Dust mites, Germs

We all know that the most obvious way to get rid of dust mites, germs and allergens is to clean meticulously, but even this can’t completely eradicate the problem of allergens.

It is mostly impossible to completely sanitize your house; however, there are some other ways than mopping, vacuuming, dusting and cleaning to help rid your house of dust mites, germs and other allergens.

UV-C lights sanitizers have become popular recently and have proven in scientific studies that they are effective in eliminating germs. They also can help eliminate dust mites.

UV-C are ultraviolet rays that are usually filtered out in the earth’s atmosphere. They can, however, be harnessed in other ways to kill germs.

Hospitals use UV-C lights when sterilizing instruments and surgery rooms. Industrial UV-C lights used in hospitals have to be used safely, mostly when people are not present in the room.

UV-C lights have also been used in various ways for years such as sanitizing water. Thanks to recent technology, the use of UV-C sanitizers can now be used by normal people in normal houses.

Quick Comparison: 5 Best Ultraviolet UV-C Light Wand Sanitizers

Do UV light sanitizers work?

A UV-C sanitizer works by disrupting the nucleic acids of cells (also known as the DNA or RNA).This causes cell death killing germs.

A scientific study, Effect of germicidal UV-C light(254 nm) on eggs and adult of house dustmites, completed in 2012, shows that UV-C sanitizers can prevent dust mite eggs from hatching and damage dust mites themselves. Although they have less effect on full grown dust mites, it will still shorten the lifespan.

The more exposure to the light the dust mites had also had more of an impact on their lifespan. However, human exposure to UV-C lights can be dangerous as well.

Afterall, this is the specturm of Ultraviolet light that doesn’t fully make it to the surface of earth thanks to the atmosphere. High exposure to UV-C light can damage eyes and skin.

The study also considers that UV-C sanitizer wands may not be practical for normal use in households if you are trying to get rid of dust mites on mattresses and other fabric surfaces.

It just doesn’t seem to work as well as using it in a controlled environment such as the one used in the experiments. They also tend to work better on harder surfaces.

If you are interested in trying out this technology, below are five best options available.

1. Verilux CleanWave Sanitizing Light Wand Combo Pack

This combo pack comes with a larger wand that uses an AC adapter charger and a smaller wand that uses 4 AA batteries. The smaller wand is travel sized for easier carry.

You can take it anywhere in a purse or bag. Once again, this wand has safety features to turn off if turned any way but horizontal. This is not ideal for using on curtains etc.

Pros

• Comes with 2 wands: one travel sized and one ideal for bigger surfaces
• Lab tested on hard surfaces

Cons

• Safety feature can make it difficult to clean vertical surfaces.

Verdict

This product is the same as the Verilux travel size, it just comes with the bigger size wand as well. Getting two is always better than getting one, and the bigger size with a the power cord is more ideal for bigger surfaces.

2. GermGuardian LW18 UV-C Light Wand

The GermGuardian is a known as a reliable brand in all things cleaning. They have air purifiers and sanitizers as well as humidifiers. They specialize in allergy friendly products and healthy living in general. It is small and easy to take on the road.

It comes with a power cord, but also can take 4 AA batteries. It also has a safety feature ensuring it cannot be turned up toward a person’s face, which, as discussed in previous products, can make it difficult to use on curtains and non-flat surfaces.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Portable
• Cord charger and battery operated

Cons

• Safety feature makes it unusable on vertical surfaces.

Verdict

The GermGuardian has the advantage of being a pretty well known, reliable brand. It is portable just like the Verilux and seems to work just as well. It also has the same safety feature as all the other products discussed here. Because it is a pretty well known brand, the warranty is reliable and returns are easy if purchased from the Guardian Technologies website.

3. Verilux CleanWave Portable Sanitizing Travel Wand

The Verilux CleanWave is a travel sized UV-C wand that is easy to take in a purse or travel bag.

This model has safety features that will prevent it from shining when it is turned on it’s back.

This way it will be less likely to shine on the person using it causing eye damage.

Many people, however, complain about this safety features because it prevents them from moving the wand in anything but a horizontal position.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Small enough to fit in a bag
• Lab tested on hard surfaces
• Safety features to prevent eye damage

Cons

• Has to be used only horizontally

Verdict

At only 8 oz, this wand is easy to take anywhere. It has been lab tested, and they are very clear that it has been tested only on hard surfaces and can’t be guaranteed on softer surfaces such as beds and couches.

Honesty in a product description is refreshing. The safety feature, although a good idea, seems to hinder practical use of the product.

4. Ultraviolet Light Wand Sanitizer

This wand is also portable and easy to take anywhere. It also has a safety feature much like the Verilux, which has caused some buyers problems as it can be finicky and not work right even at a slight angle.

Product description does not state it has been laboratory tested.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Portable

Cons

• Not lab tested
• Safety feature hinders practical use

Verdict

Very similar to the Verilux, this wand is easy to take anywhere and uses batteries. It also has the same safety features as the Verilux. However, nowhere does it state that it has been lab tested.

5. Portable UV Sanitizer Hand Wand Ultra Violet Light

The Kikar sanitizing wand is slightly bigger than the easily portable ones. It is 14 inches tall. It does not seem to have the safety feature the others have where it has to be horizontal to use.

The safety feature included is one that you have to hold down the button hard for at least three seconds for the light to come on.

According to the manufacturer, the Kikar wand has been lab tested to kill dust mites, germs bacteria and bed bugs.

Pros

• Portable
• Lightweight
• Lab Tested
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Terrible reviews

Verdict

Although this wand has be laboratory tested, and claims to work with only one wave of the wand, the reviews are enough to make anyone shy away. It is a decent price and does have some good reviews, but I wouldn’t risk it. It seems they have more defective products than working ones.

Conclusion

The best UV-C wand for the price would be the Verilux combo pack. They seem to work as efficiently as the GermGuardian for half the price. The GermGuardian is also a great choice if you don’t mind shelling out the money for it. After all, they are a well known and reputable company backed by warranty and return policies.