HP232 Series Shark Clean Sense™ Air Purifier MAX with Odor Neutralizer Technology FAQs

1. Set up the unit on its base on a level floor. For best results, set it up in the space you spend the most time in, such as the kitchen, living room, or bedroom. Make sure the unit is at least 3 inches (10 cm) away from all walls, large objects, or electronics.
2. Before plugging in the unit for the first time, you must remove the filter and take it out of its packaging. First, turn the unit upside down and remove the filter cover from the bottom of the unit.  Twist the filter door to the unlocked position and remove.
3. Remove the filter from the unit and take it out of its sealed plastic packaging. Then, reinstall it into the unit. DO NOT run the air purifier unless the filter is removed from its packaging and installed correctly.
4. With the filter installed, replace the filter cover. Twist the filter door until it clicks into place. Turn the unit right side up.
5. Plug the unit into an electrical outlet and press the power button on the top control panel to power on.
6. Once the unit is turned on, it will begin to read the air quality in your room. This calibration process will run for a few seconds and is indicated by the rotating lights the front display. Once the calibration is complete, you can begin to customize the settings on your air purifier.

To benefit the most from your air purifier, Shark® recommends placing the unit in the room where you spend the most time. Be sure that the air purifier is placed on a flat surface, near an outlet, and away from other furniture or items in order to keep the intake vents clear. For maximum air flow, keep the air purifier at least 3 inches (10 cm) away from the wall.

The illuminated air quality ring on the front display will change color as your air quality changes. The color of the ring indicates the air quality: Blue = Good air quality, Amber = Fair air quality, Red = Poor air quality. By pressing the AIR INFO button on your unit, you can switch between air quality info options. These include percentage of clean air, estimated time until the air will be clean, and the estimated number of PM1.0, PM2.5, and PM10 particles in the air surrounding the unit.

Other air purifier settings include fan speed, brightness, timer, filter life, child lock, and AUTO mode. When enabled, the AUTO mode setting automatically adjusts the fan speed of your air purifier based on the air quality. (If the air quality decreases, the fan speed will increase.) To activate AUTO mode, select the AUTO button on the top control panel. When this option is selected, the AUTO button will appear brighter than the other buttons. To turn off AUTO mode, press the AUTO button again or manually change the fan speed.

The Shark® Air Purifier is equipped with a 3-stage HEPA filter that is designed to capture 99.98% of particles down to the 0.1–0.2 micron range, plus odors and VOCs. The cylindrical structure pulls air through the back and sides of the unit and passes it through the HEPA filter. Particles such as smoke, mold, and allergens are then trapped in the HEPA filter, allowing only clean air to be passed through the top vents.

Yes, the Shark® Air Purifier filter is equipped with activated carbon. This is designed to absorb household odors and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) such as formaldehyde, acetone, and butanol. Depending on the model purchased, the type of filter may vary.

Yes, this air purifier features a Shark® Nanoseal™ filter with True HEPA that captures 99.98% of particles down to the 0.1–0.2 micron range.

To mute your unit's beeping, hold the AIR INFO and CHILD LOCK buttons at the same time for 2 seconds. You will hear auditory feedback (3 beeps) once the setting is confirmed. The beeps are now muted.

To unmute your unit's beeping, hold the AIR INFO and CHILD LOCK buttons at the same time for 2 seconds. You will hear auditory feedback (3 beeps) once the setting is confirmed. The beeps are now unmuted.

To enable the child lock setting and lock the top control panel buttons, hold the child lock button for 2 seconds. You will hear auditory feedback once the setting is confirmed. The control panel is now locked.

To disable the child lock setting and unlock the top control panel buttons, hold the child lock button for 2 seconds. You will hear auditory feedback once the setting is confirmed. The control panel is now unlocked.

The brightness button adjusts the brightness of both the front display screen and the top control panel. Press the brightness button to switch between 3 options: full brightness, partially dim, and fully dim. In any of these brightness settings, the air purifier will continue to run in the settings that you selected.

"PM" stands for "particulate matter." This term refers to microscopic solids or liquid droplets that are suspended in air and can cause serious health problems if inhaled. Using Clean Sense IQ™, the Shark™ Air Purifier tracks 3 distinct sizes of particulate matter: PM1.0, PM2.5, and PM10. Each of these particulate sizes corresponds to common household pollutants. PM1.0 includes ultra-fine allergens. PM2.5 includes smoke. PM10 includes dust, pollen, and mold.

The most common reason your control panel may be locked is if the child lock function is enabled. If the lock icon is illuminated on the top control panel, that means the control panel is locked. To disable the child lock setting and unlock the top control panel buttons, hold the child lock button for 2 seconds. You will hear auditory feedback once the setting is confirmed. The control panel is now unlocked. 

The brightness button adjusts the brightness of both the front display screen and the top control panel. Press the brightness button to switch between 3 options: full brightness, partially dim, and fully dim. In any of these brightness settings, the air purifier will continue to run in the settings that you selected.

Your Shark® Air Purifier comes with 1 pre-installed filter. Please be sure to remove the filter from its packaging before initial use.

While your air purifier can be left running 24/7, longer runtimes may shorten the filter lifespan. Shark® recommends keeping your unit in AUTO mode to optimize the filter life. After 100% clean air status is achieved for 10 minutes in AUTO mode, your air purifier will enter ECO mode and further optimize your filter life.

Ocean Breeze. 

This is the only scent available.

To maximize your air purifier's filter life and performance, Shark® recommends leaving your unit in AUTO mode. After 100% clean air status is achieved for 10 minutes in AUTO mode, your air purifier will enter ECO mode and further optimize your filter life. Shark™ also recommends flipping and rotating the direction of your filter every 3 months. This will help equalize and balance the distribution of captured particles throughout the filter, allowing for extended usage.

Shark® recommends changing the filter every 6–12 months. When the filter needs to be changed, the FILTER LIFE button will flash.  If you or a member of your household is sensitive to allergens, you may benefit from changing the filter more frequently. To check the remaining filter lifespan, press the FILTER LIFE button on the top control panel to show the percentage of filter life remaining before the filter needs to be changed.

No, the filter is not washable. Keep the filter away from water and dispose of it when dirty.

Only use Shark® brand filters when operating your air purifier. Other filters may cause damage to your unit. There are multiple different size and shape Shark filters.

Replacement filters can be purchased here.

The dust filters (2) on either side of the air purifier generally require maintenance every 1-2 months. The air purifier will indicate when on the front display. However, if a high amount of dust, dander, and debris is regularly present in your space, you may need to maintain the dust filters more often. Perform the following steps to do so:

1. Gently slide up the mesh dust filters to remove them. Check the screen for dust and debris buildup.

2. Use a vacuum cleaner on low speed with a soft brush attachment or a cloth/towel  to remove debris from the  dust filters. DO NOT use abrasive chemical cleaners.

3. If additional cleaning is required, rinse the dust filters with room temperature tap water. Be sure to completely dry them for 12 hours before re-installing. It is recommended NOT to use the air purifier during this dry time to prevent damaging the HEPA filter.

4. Gently reinsert the mesh dust filters into the slot on either side of the air purifier.

5. Refer to the maintenance instructions in the instruction booklet for more information.

Additionally, both the exterior and the interior of your air purifier will need to be dusted periodically. For best results, clean the air purifier every two months or more often if necessary. When cleaning dust from the exterior, use a microfiber cloth to remove debris from the surface of the unit. To sanitize, wipe down the exterior with a warm, soapy cloth. Avoid excess water and abrasive chemical cleaners to prevent damage. When cleaning dust from the interior, lift off the HEPA filter cover, remove the HEPA filter, and use a vacuum cleaner or a microfiber cloth to remove dust and debris from the interior of the unit. DO NOT use abrasive chemical cleaners on the inside of the unit. DO NOT insert cleaning instruments into the fan outlet.

Remove the odor cartridge assembly from the aluminum bag. Flip up the handle. Align the arrow on the dial to the arrow on the top air vent. Insert the odor cartridge assembly into the air purifier. To lock and engage the odor cartridge assembly, rotate it counterclockwise until it clicks into the desired intensity setting.

Flip up the handle. Rotate the odor cartridge assembly as desired, following the intensity arrows on the dial. Rotate counterclockwise for a higher intensity, or clockwise for a lower intensity.

Flip up the handle on the odor dial. Rotate it clockwise until the 2 arrows are aligned. In this position, the odor cartridge assembly is ready for removal. To turn off the Odor Neutralizer Technology, you can either remove the odor cartridge assembly or rotate it one click in the counterclockwise direction. In this position, the Odor Neutralizer Technology is not exposed to the air flow.

The Odor Neutralizer Technology in your air purifier is recommended to be replaced every 3 months, or as needed. 

The Odor Neutralizer Technology Cartridges can be purchased here. 

1. Flip up the handle and rotate the dial clockwise until the two arrows are aligned. Pull the handle to remove the odor dial from three air purifier.

2. Rotate the cartridge counterclockwise in the dial housing and pull out the cartridge to remove it.

3. Remove the new odor cartridge from the sealed packaging. To maintain the life of the cartridge, keep it in the sealed packaging until you are ready to install it.

4. Align the yellow arrow on the side of cartridge with the yellow arrow on the side of the dial cover, then insert the cartridge into the dial. Rotate the cartridge counterclockwise to lock it in place.

5. Flip up the handle on the odor dial. Align the arrow on the dial to the arrow on the top air vent. Insert the odor cartridge assembly into the air purifier.

6. To lock and engage the odor cartridge assembly, rotate it counterclockwise until it clicks into the desired odor intensity setting.

7. Dispose of the old cartridge by dropping it into the trash.

The intensity of the odor neutralizer technology’s fragrance may diminish over time. It may also have no  noticeable fragrance at all. This is natural and does not indicate that the technology is not working. Follow the recommended replacement cadence to ensure continued performance.

The Odor Neutralizer Technology Cartridges can be purchased here. 

If your air quality never reaches 100%, make sure that the filter is properly installed without its original plastic packaging. If the filter is properly installed, then the dust filters may need cleaning. Note that the dust filters generally require maintenance every 1-2 months and the air purifier will indicate when on the front display. However, if a high amount of particulate matter is regularly present in your air, you may need to maintain the dust filters more often. Refer to the maintenance instructions in the instruction booklet.

Activities like smoking, burning candles, running a humidifier, opening windows, and cooking (among other things) can add more pollutants to your air. Make sure to survey your environment and remove anything that could be causing low air quality.

Air quality can change for a variety of reasons. Even everyday activities can agitate particles (such as previously settled dust) into the air, which will decrease air quality. Clean Sense IQ™ does a reading of microscopic particulate matter in the room and displays the air quality accordingly.

If your air purifier display reads 100%, your air quality is good. However, air quality will fluctuate as you introduce pollutants into your home. Activities like smoking, cooking, dusting, or spraying cleaning products (among other things) can add more pollutants to your air. Clean Sense IQ™ tracks this fluctuation in real time and alerts you when your air quality decreases. Air quality is measured by the amount of particulate matter in your air. To accurately calculate the percentage of air that is clean, Clean Sense IQ™ tracks 3 distinct particle sizes:  PM1.0, PM2.5, and PM10. However, particles in your air can be both larger and smaller than this range. Rest assured, our Nanoseal™ True HEPA technology is cleaning the air by capturing odors and 99.98% of particles down to the 0.1–0.2 micron range.

Air quality is measured by the amount of particulate matter in your air. To accurately calculate the percentage of air that is clean, Clean Sense IQ™ tracks 3 distinct particle sizes: PM1.0, PM2.5, and PM10. However, odors are not included in this calculation. Rest assured, our Nanoseal™ True HEPA technology is actively capturing odors and VOCs while you run your unit.

Weight: 10.98 lbs

Cord Length - 6 Feet

Dimensions - 10.82"(L)x 10.82"(W) x22.79"(H)

Voltage - 120 volts

Wattage - 36 Watts

Amperage - 0.3 Amps