How can I get rid of the musty smell in my apartment? Do ionic air purifiers work? November 28, 2004   SubscribeI live in Seattle, in a 90+ year old apartment building. It's a great place except that, like most older buildings I've lived in, it's got kind of ... a funk. I don't really know how to describe it, other than the air smells kinda stale, especially when you first walk in. It's getting a little too cold to simply leave the windows open and box fans help to move the air around but don't really do that much to help with the staleness. Plus, the droning of box fans is kind of annoying. Also, we have two cats (and all that that implies...) I'm curious if the ionic air purifiers thingies, which seem way overpriced, actually work. Of if there's another (preferably cheaper) way to get cleaner air in my apartment. Is something like the Hamilton Beach TrueAir what I want?As advertised and more... but beware... This little box puts out a tremendous amount of O3 that removes most odors.

Even used car dealers have been using Ozone generators for years to remove smoke and other odors in a gaseous state --- gaseous is not particulate, whereas if you are wanting to remove particulates, as in mold spores, bacteria, viruses, etc., you would need a 'negative ion generator.' global air duct cleaning memphisBecause this unit produces O3, which is not O2, be careful with entering closed rooms where this unit has been left on... use a little common sense with first ventilating the area before occupation of people or pets and it will do what it was/is intended to do; kdk air purifier very good and powerful! air duct cleaning services barrieIt does take the smells out, Warning! DO NOT to breath the air while on or you will pass out, read the Instructions!

It does not say in the booklet what will happen to you if you do breath the air it just says you are not supposed to be in the same room while on but believe me I ignored the instructions and I almost pass out, I thought I was sleepy and went to bed, lucky for me I went to sleep on a different room, I don't what to think what would have happened if I did pass out.So the unit is amazing just be careful not to be in the room at the same time.I leave it on for 20 to 40 minutes before I go to work, 6 hours later there is no more smell, I smoke in my house sometimes so I don't use it every day but it does work! This product is Awesome We recently purchased a used vehicle and wanted to get rid of the used vehicle smell. This Ozone Generator did the trick. i was very skeptical about it at first and was going to pay a detail vehicle service to do the same thing. The best thing is the automatic shutoff. I placed it on the dashboard of the vehicle and let the timer run for 100 minutes. The front window was rolled down just enough for the extension cord.

Afterward i rolled down the windows and let it air out overnight inside the garage. The next morning, the used car smell was gone!!. I can't say enough about this product. I know for a fact that it will work for vehicles. Great value for your money! Not an air purifier, did not want an air purifier, air purifiers that put out ozone are really not safe. But I did want to get rid of pet odors in the carpeted bedroom and the stale musty smell in our spare, unused bedroom. Just plugged it in, set it for 20 minutes, and left. This is really effective as an odor remover! Note: Ozone chemically breaks down odor-causing molecules in any area where air is allowed to flow. But according to the EPA, fairly low amounts of ozone can cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath, and throat irritation. Just use some caution! Make sure you air out the room for a couple of hours before use. Best value out there! Works great, within seconds had strong ozone production. Plugged it in and started it up, it started to produce Ozone, quite a lot from the smell.

I bought this to get rid of some lingering oders in a new house I bought, and it seems to be doing the job quite well. I figured 2-3 days of it running and the house should smell much better, it's already noticeably better.Specific Treatments for Odor and PollutantsMost air purifiers work in order to restore a healthy balance of particles in the air and destroy those which can harm us, but other air cleaners work specifically to neutralize odors in the space in which we live. No matter why you’d like to have an air purifier, each one has different specifications which are responsible for permanent or temporary solutions regarding odors or pollutants. Not every cleaner has the ability to tackle each pollutant in the same manner, so I decided to address the issue. Let’s see what the best options for each situation are. Not all odors are the same and not all techniques are the best for removing them. I’ve classified the most common nasty smells, and which air cleaners do a fantastic job of removing them.

The smoke that comes from cigarettes is made out of fine smoke particles which are chemically based and cause unpleasant odors. Ozone generators are known for their superb performance in removing unpleasant odors, which can be anything from cigarette smoke to old and musty furniture. Another great alternative is to use an air cleaner that contains an activated carbon filter because the fibers of the filter react chemically thereby attaching to the particles of smoke. The third alternative for removing cigarette smoke is a photocatalytic filter which actually breaks down the odor producing chemicals found in smoke. Certain chemical compounds produce VOC, and the most common producers are mold, smoke, bacteria and formaldehyde. The three most effective units used for this type of contaminant are ozone generators/sanitizers, air purifiers which contain an activated carbon filter, and finally photocatalytic filters that successfully destroy any kind of vapors and gasses. Household Chemicals and Pet Odors

Household chemicals we use to sanitize our homes can actually work against our health. Although they are meant to sanitize every surface from counter-tops to floors, they release toxic fumes and odors which are sometimes unpleasant and dangerous. In this case, the best solution is to use an air cleaner with an activated carbon filter because the fibers react with the fumes, and the bond they create ensures the household is free of any smells or toxic fumes. You can also go for oxidation filters as mentioned earlier. The same options go for pet dander and pet related smells. Although we love our fury companions, sometimes the smells they leave behind can stay for a long time and be unpleasant. Luckily, an activated carbon filter will take care of the most common pet related smells, leaving you with clean and fresh air. Now that we’ve dealt with the most common odors, let’s look into the different type of pollutants in the air around us. Pet dander can be a powerful allergen that triggers severe reactions in people suffering from allergies.

The most common treatment would be to have an air purifier that contains a type of HEPA filter. True HEPA filters are certified and best known for removing allergens of all kinds, especially pet dander. Dust, Dust Mites and Pollen If you want to remove more solid particles floating around in the air like pollen or dust mites, a HEPA filter is all you need. The Department of Homeland Security has recommended the use of HEPA filters in homes in order to create a safe, allergen-free environment. Another option that’s especially good for dust is an ionizer. Ionizers are very similar to air purifiers, only their technology utilizes negative ions which attach in the air to the positively charged particles of dust. This makes the dust drop in front of the ionizer. It might mean more maintenance but at least the air you’re breathing is clean! There is also the option of an air purifier that has a HEPA type filter with an inbuilt ionizer that gives double the results. The most effective purifying method for viruses and germs, recommended by the U.S. Centers of Disease Control is a germicidal UV lamp.

They are able to destroy microorganisms because the UVC wavelength radiates UV rays that are lethal to the DNA in bacteria. This way, the smallest of germs can’t live and spread diseases in the air. Another efficient treatment would be to use a Photocatalytic Oxidation filter that breaks down the DNA of bacteria and destroys them for good. Most households have experienced some kind of mold or mildew problems which occur in humid environments. Fungi such as mold, gather together when building materials and moisture collide. Once mold has spread, it produces airborne spores that can be dangerous to your health. The best treatment out there is an air purifier with a certified HEPA filter, and if it comes with an inbuilt ionizer even better! HEPA filters are great at removing solid particles out of the air, while Ionizers produce negative ions that attach to the spores and neutralize them. There are other alternatives such as activated carbon filters, along with germicidal UV lamps that successfully destroy microorganisms like mycotoxin which is produced by mold.