Do air purifiers get rid of old house smell?

Author: Giles Rempel I  |  Last update: Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Air purifiers are efficient at removing airborne pollutants from your home air. Think dust, pollen, pet dander, mold spores and toxins. But they are also quite capable of dealing with the old house smell.

Do air purifiers work for old house smell?

Yes! Air purifiers are a proven means for anyone looking to remove musty smells from the air and improve indoor air quality in their home.

How to get rid of old house smell permanently?

Throw out all blinds, linens, curtains, rugs, and furniture. Wash all windows and screens. Have the HVAC ducts professionally cleaned and deodorized. Refinish hardwood floors. Prime all painted surfaces with a high quality sealing primer (KILZ or BINZ are my go to). Repaint.

Can an air purifier remove bad smell?

An air purifier and specific filters effectively eliminate harmful gases and unwanted odors from your indoor environment. A standard particle filter is not designed to remove gases and odors. For gas and odor removal, the air purifier should be equipped with a filter that includes activated carbon.

Do air purifiers help with old people smell?

To manage aging body odor: Open windows to improve airflow and minimize odor buildup in your loved one's home or care facility. You can also use a high-efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA) air purifier to improve the indoor air quality.

Do Air Purifiers Remove Odors or Get Rid of Smells? (Answered)

How do you get rid of old people's smell in a house?

How to Get Rid of Old People Smell in the House
  1. Air out living areas by opening windows and using ventilation. Warm and stuffy environments tend to magnify odors.
  2. Wash clothing with laundry supplements designed to fight stains and cut grease.
  3. Air out bedding between use and wash in hot water.

What is the best air purifier for bad smells?

3M Filtrete Air Purifier

This affordable air purifier excelled when it came to eliminating odors and smoke.

Will an air purifier remove musty smell?

Air purifiers are a cost-effective and effortless way to remove moisture, allergens, and mouldy smells from the air in your home. If you have a persistent issue with damp odours, try using an air purifier to eliminate the problem.

How long does it take for an air purifier to remove smell?

Dust, Pollen, or Smoke Odors

HEPA filters are responsible for capturing tiny particles such as dust and pollen, while activated carbon filters neutralize smoke odors. In a typical home environment, an effective air purifier can start to reduce these pollutants within 30 to 60 minutes.

Can a dirty air filter make your house stink?

A dirty air filter can make your home smell musty and stale. A weaker airflow prevents air from adequately circulating through your home, letting bad smells from cooking or other activities linger longer.

How can I make my whole house smell good all the time?

If you want your home to smell good, use a natural aroma instead of a synthetic one. Simmering a bowl of fresh herbs (like rosemary), lemon, and water is the easiest way. Just keep an eye on the water levels to ensure there's always enough liquid.

Why do empty houses smell?

This scent is caused by lack of air circulation. The longer the house remains with closed doors and windows and no exhaust fans, the more noticeable the smell will become, and it may be made worse by old carpets and furniture or rooms that haven't been thoroughly cleaned.

How do I stop my old house from smelling?

Ways to Get Rid of Old House Smell
  1. Giving Your House a Deep Clean. A thorough, deep clean is the first step in removing old house smells. ...
  2. Repainting Your House. ...
  3. Re-carpeting Your House. ...
  4. Updating Furniture in Your House. ...
  5. Airing Your House Out.

Do air purifiers work in old homes?

In conclusion, air purifiers serve as invaluable tools in addressing mold problems in older homes. With their advanced filtration technology, they effectively capture mold spores, providing relief from musty odors and potential health risks.

Is an air purifier or dehumidifier better for musty smell?

Understanding the Musty Odor Issue

And those organisms release various chemicals and gases as they metabolize organic materials, resulting in a 'musty' odor. So, air purifiers can definitely help, but a better, more effective way to remove that smell is to also remove the excess moisture - with a portable dehumidifier.

Why is my air purifier not removing smells?

The reason lies in the gaseous nature of odor-bearing particles. Even some of the best air purifiers on the market can only remove particulate matter, which is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in the air.

What filter type is best for removing odor from air?

The pre-filter captures larger debris, including hair and pet dander; the true HEPA filter collects smaller airborne particles; and the carbon filter helps reduce VOCs and odors in the air.

Do air purifiers make a house smell better?

As the particles become trapped in the air filter, the smell of your home will improve drastically. In addition, activated carbon filters in Rabbit Air purifiers are designed to capture and neutralize odor-causing particles released from decomposing organic matter, such as food waste.

How to get rid of old person smell in house?

Bad smells in a house: checklist for odor removal
  1. Remove and clean or tear up and replace the carpets.
  2. Repaint walls in rooms where the odor is strongest.
  3. Hire a professional cleaning crew.
  4. Considering renting a cleaning device like an ozone machine.

Why does my room smell musty no matter how much I clean it?

As well as mould, a musty smell in the bedroom can also be caused by unclean bedding and the build-up of sweat, dust and skin particles. As we sleep, we release carbon dioxide which can become trapped in the room, producing a strong musty smell in the morning.

Is there a machine that removes basement smell?

Ozone generators permanently remove odors from basements, crawl spaces, and attics. The OdorFree ozone generator is an excellent basement, crawl space, and attic odor eliminator. Ozone goes directly to the source and will oxidize away the stale and unpleasant odors often found in damp environments.

What is the best odor eliminator for your home?

Let's check them out.
  • Hydrogen Peroxide Spray. This is a powerful spray that helps you tackle tough odors like pet urine and vomit. ...
  • DIY Gel Air Fresheners. ...
  • Deodorizer Disks. ...
  • Essential Oil Wax Melts. ...
  • Essential Oil Spray. ...
  • Coffee Grounds. ...
  • Vinegar Solution.

What is the most highly recommended air purifier?

Our Top Picks for the Best Air Purifiers:
  • Best Overall Air Purifier: Coway Airmega True HEPA Purifier, $225.
  • Best Runner-Up Air Purifier: Coway Airmega 250 Smart Air Purifier, $319 $290.
  • Most Versatile Air Purifier: Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde, $806.

Why was the Ionic Breeze taken off the market?

The Infamous “Ionic Breeze”

But a deeper investigation by the consumer advocate magazineConsumer Reports found problems with the Ionic Breeze bad enough to eventually bankrupt The Sharper Image in 2008. The downfall of the Ionic Breeze had its catalyst due to an investigative report published byConsumer Reports.

Previous article
How to tell if an AC compressor is bad?
Next article
What is the best alternative to white spirit for cleaning brushes?