Cabin air filters re-usable?

I recently replaced the cabin air filter on my year-old Civic, and noticed
that the replaced filter looked like it could probably be washed out and
re-used once or twice. Has anyone done this? Are there reasons that make
it a bad idea?

 

Mold, mildew, boogers, fiber damage from washing...

 

I have used compressed air to blow out the dust and insects from my
two cabin air filters in my 2003 Civic. They seem clean enough.
Probably in the next year I will replace them. Ebay has them for
around $12 total per set, which beats the price I see at WalMart, the
online Honda dealers, etc. I am not sure how important quality is for
something like this. Maybe replace the cheaper brands more often and
do a cost analysis over time.

 

They aren't that expensive to purchase, to consider recycling them.

 

I have never cleaned or changed a cabin filter in any vehicle i own or
have owned. One I have had new since 1996.

Where the heck are they, and how often should they be looked ad or
changed?

The car specific to this group would be an 04 accord.

 

Here is a video of how to do it for the 7th generation Accord (which
should include the 04):
http://honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2665764&highlight=cabin+filter