If you are dealing with mildew odor, fungus smells, mold smell, basement odor or a musty smell that just won’t go away, an air purifier may be the only thing that can help. Musty odors are some of the most difficult kinds to banish because oftentimes, they come from within your walls or areas of your home that are hard to clean. Moisture is also a factor. Moisture can easily pervade the lower areas of your home, which is why basement odor is so common.
Using an Air Purifier for Musty Smells
You may be asking yourself why you should use an air purifier for odors. You may be very diligent when it comes to cleaning your home, so why should you buy an appliance to purify the air? The reason you should use an air purifier is that bacteria that causes odor in the first place can be very hard to clean away. Air purifiers are very effective in this regard.
An air purifier uses activated carbon and HEPA filters to clean the air. The HEPA filters will remove 99.97% of airborne particles that are at least .03 microns in size. a HEPA filter will capture the bacteria that causes odor in your home. However, the most important filter for eliminating musty smell is the activated carbon filter. Activated carbon generates an incredible amount of amount of surface area that traps the VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that produce odor.
What to Look for in an Air Purifier for Musty Odor
If you are in the market for an air purifier, there are certain things to look for to ensure you get an effective product. For starters, your air purifier should have a true activated carbon filter. Since VOCs are the cause of many odors, you should also make sure that the air purifier you choose effectively removes VOCs from the air.
Next, you should ensure that the air purifier has a HEPA filter. As explained above, HEPA filters are key for reducing bacteria that generates odor.
The combination of a HEPA and activated carbon filter should effectively eliminate musty odor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do HEPA filters remove the odor?
– On their own, no. HEPA filters just capture the bacteria that produces odor. Activated carbon filters actually absorb odor.
Do Dehumidifiers eliminate odor?
– If the problem is moisture, yes. You may be getting a musty smell, mildew odor or mold smell as a result of moisture saturation in your home. In this case, a dehumidifier will help.
How else can I get rid of mold smell?
– Sprinkling baking soda in or near problem areas of your home can get rid of some of the mold smell or mildew odor in your home.
Closing Words
Despite your best efforts, odors caused from bacteria and sitting moisture can persist. But air purifiers can be very effective for these types of odors. They can also improve your indoor air quality. If you are dealing with persistent and unpleasant odors in your home, consider purchasing an air purifier. To remove mold, find out what is the best air purifier that removes mold.
Frank is the chief editor and director at Specialty Air, where he oversees testing, research, and editing for all air quality-related articles. Frank is an expert in the air quality space with extensive experience testing, researching, and reviewing air purifiers, air conditioners, air filters, air fresheners, fans, and more. He also has over 4 years of experience with issues surrounding mold remediation, radon mitigation, moisture management, air duct systems, HVAC, and insulation.