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What are Air Purifying Bags? Does Bamboo Charcoal Work?

Nobody wants their car to smell like an ashtray or their dirty clothes hamper to permeate the air. Fabric and room-deodorizing sprays go a long way toward covering up these odors, but they don’t get rid of smells. Plus, aerosol sprays release lung-damaging volatile organic compounds into the air.

What are Air Purifying Bags?


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However, air purifying bags filled with activated bamboo charcoal offer an effective, natural, simple way to eliminate malodorous scents. You don’t need any electricity or specialized knowledge to use them, and they’re small and discreet. Want to know more about how they work?

Here are the answers to all your questions about bamboo charcoal air purifying bags.

Air Purifier Bag Benefits [Quick Video]

In Short

An air purifying bag made of bamboo charcoal is a organic way to take in smells and freshen the air. As said, the bag includes only one substance: bamboo charcoal. Bamboo charcoal has millions of tiny pores that can pull and break down odors, bacteria, chemicals and moisture from the air like a magnetized sponge.

Bamboo charcoal is safe, non poisonous and odor free. Each bag will freshen the air at home or in your car for up to two years.

What are Bamboo Charcoal Air Purifying Bags?

They are biodegradable bags, comes in different sizes, are made of linen, and contain strands of bamboo charcoal.

The bamboo charcoal itself has no smell whatsoever and can soak up odors and moisture. Thus, it’s also very useful for stopping mold growth at home.

As it is very absorbent, it and can address negative issues such as airborne contaminants and pollutants that may cause unpleasant scents. If you compare it to other similar products, charcoal is natural and inexpensive.

What Do the Bags Do? If you have been in a room or vehicle that has a bad odor, then you would agree that it is not an enjoyable experience. You might also think that the air isn’t safe to breathe in. People typically assume that the air is filthy whenever they smell something unpleasant. It is, therefore, a good idea to take precautionary measures to eliminate bad odors and that is where these air purifying bags come in handy.

These bags are used to remove bad odors because they contain materials like charcoal to scrub the air and absorb all the pollutants, leaving the room smelling clean and fresh.

Keep in mind that these bags do not work like air freshener aerosol sprays as the bags are odorless. If you do smell something after you have placed the bag, you’re probably smelling fresh air!

How Does Bamboo Charcoal Air Purifier Bags Work?

These bags only contain one ingredient – bamboo charcoal. The charcoal contains microscopic pores that and soaks up the smallest of particles that are noticeable around you. These tiny pores also destroy bacteria that cause bad odors, leaving behind pure fresh air.

The other benefits of bamboo charcoal other than deodorizing are:

  • Absorbing moisture
  • Removing formaldehyde
  • Removing undesirable pollutants and contaminations from the air

The bags are manufactured from linen, an exceptionally breathable type of material. The air goes through the material and then passes through the bamboo charcoal which is placed inside.

What sized room the charcoal can “clean” depends on how large the room is as well as the amount and quality of the bags you are using. A 200 g bag is sufficient for about 90 square feet – suitable for a smaller room, washroom, kitchen, storeroom, or your vehicle.

It can take a few days for the space to be completely deodorized.

Once you have finished the process, you could always use the bag as fertilizer for your plants in the garden.

Advantages of an Air Purifying Bag

Below are some reasons why you should consider one of these bags.

Eliminates Bacteria. Bacteria are all around us but that does not mean you should be careless about it. If you or your loved ones have vulnerable immune systems, it would be a good reason to use these bags to take care of bacteria. Using these bags also curbs the possibility of bacteria spreading.

Eliminates Allergens. These bags are effective in removing pollen and allergens irrespective from where it originates from. The bag will make your home safer and assist those who are hypersensitive to animals and plant pollen. It eliminates undesirable substances that could provoke allergies and respiratory conditions.

Non-toxic and Chemical-free. Aerosol-based air fresheners contain harmful chemicals that both toxic and expensive. While these chemicals won’t kill you, they are not beneficial for you either. Air purifying bags, on the other hand, use natural ingredients and are completely harmless.

What is Bamboo Charcoal?

If you have not heard of bamboo charcoal, don’t feel bad since it’s not well-known. Don’t stress, as you’ll find out more as you read along.

So what is it? It is also called activated charcoal and is a common method of filtration in Asia. It is made from bamboo residue that is tightly packed and carbonated. It is then exposed to high temperatures that eventually produce charcoal. At this point, however, it is not “activated” charcoal yet.

The activation only occurs once it has been exposed to extreme temperatures and oxygen is added, which causes the charcoal to activate. Once this step has been completed, it becomes activated bamboo charcoal.

Advantages of Bamboo Charcoal. Still not sold on the idea? Below are three of the best advantages of using activated bamboo charcoal.

It’s Sustainable

As mentioned before, bamboo charcoal is produced using the remains of bamboo. Although it contains a lot of carbon like coal, bamboo charcoal is a natural product and therefore does not affect the climate in any way. Moreover, bamboo plants grow significantly faster than trees and you will have enough stock to meet increasing demand.

Do you realize that you only need a couple of grams of bamboo charcoal to purify the air in a room? If you used aerosols, you have to be much more liberal with it.

It is Odorless. Don’t be fooled if you can’t smell any scents since that is one of the advantages of using it. Why? That’s because bamboo charcoal doesn’t mask odors by scenting the air and also doesn’t rely on synthetic substances to produce fragrances. It’s completely natural and therefore non-toxic.

It Long-lasting. To add to the list of advantages, it has an incredibly long lifespan. A bag can remain effective for as long as two years if properly taken care of. Yes, that’s right, it can provide you with two years of service before you have to replace it. This would save you some cash as you don’t have to replace them regularly.

Instructions to Use Bamboo Charcoal Air Purifying Bags

So how precisely do you utilize one of these bags? All you need to do is place the bag in the sun for about an hour to activate the charcoal. The ultraviolet rays activate the filtering properties of charcoal. If you don’t have a lot of sunlight, then just leave it out for an hour or longer.

Once it has been exposed to the sun, you can use the bag anywhere you like. You can even use it inside shoes and duffel bags to eliminate odors. To maintain its effectiveness, place it under the sun once a month to recharge and activate the charcoal. There is no need to heat it or wash it.

You need to know that the charcoal doesn’t absorb the air particles, but adsorbs them.

Adsorption is the process where chemicals are drawn in and adheres to the charcoal, which makes it weigh more. Bamboo charcoal is incredibly permeable, which means that a lot of synthetic substances and be adsorbed into those little pores. If you need proof, you’ll notice that the bag gets heavier with use.

Does it Actually Work?

You now understand what it is and how it goes about its business, but is it effective? If you want quantifiable information and verification that it is working, you’ll be disillusioned because the bag doesn’t have a sensor that discloses to you the amount of air it has been able to clean. Regardless, there are different things you can monitor to know whether it’s working effectively or not.

To start, you’ll notice the smell of the room. While it doesn’t radiate any smell, it will eliminate foul odors in the room or space you placed it in. That alone is proof that it’s functioning properly. If your room used to have some smell to it and now it smells clean and fresh, then it is working.

The Weight of the Bag

Over some time, you’ll notice that the bag gets heavier. That is another clue that it has adsorbed a lot of synthetics and pollutants. If you feel that the bag is getting heavier, you should leave it under the sun for about 60 minutes. The adsorbed substances will then disappear and you can reuse the bag.

If you are still in doubt, you can get hold of a study undertaken by the Nagaoka University of Technology in Japan regarding bamboo charcoal. The study that was undertaken shows that bamboo charcoal is a very effective countermeasure to address unhealthy gasses and toxins found everywhere. It is also able to adsorb formaldehyde and toluene, which are harmful to people.

Bamboo Charcoal Is Not a Scam

Charcoal is normally produced from different types of wood. However, bamboo charcoal is better at absorbing moisture and odors. Other materials that contain activated charcoal with similar properties are coconut husks, peat, wood, and coal.

Bamboo is multiple times better as it is more porous than other types of charcoal and therefore has better absorption properties. You can feel the bag getting heavier all the time. This is a direct result of the absorption process and is confirmation that it’s purifying the air.

Used gym clothing, household pets, and cooking odors all contribute to the smells you would find at home. While aerosol air fresheners can mask these smells, consider adding a few bamboo charcoal bags to appropriately address the root of these odors.

Charcoal encased in a breathable material that is distributed around the house will automatically trap bad scents and freshen up the air indoors. A few factors go into choosing these scent eliminators, so utilize this guide to find out why the following items are considered the best bamboo charcoal air purifier sacks you can purchase.

What should you Consider when Choosing the Best Bamboo Charcoal Air Purifier Bags.

This type of charcoal is manufactured by burning bamboo at high temperatures and activated charcoal can be attained under certain conditions, which also makes the charcoal able to absorb much more. These two charcoal variations can be put in packs as natural scent eliminators that are reasonably priced, safe around pets and children, and can also be reused multiple times. These bags are available in different sizes to suit various needs. They can be used to deodorize old tennis shoes or to freshen up a whole room.

Utilization

These bags can handle a wide range of smells, ranging from animal litter to athletic gear. It can be utilized on its own or in combination with other deodorizers to improve the smell in a home. In contrast to air fresheners, these bags don’t dissipate fragrances into the air, which would be a good decision for sensitive individuals who do not handle scents well.

These bags are available in many designs and shapes to be used just about anywhere. A rounded shape can be easily used in shoes, whereas an upright design would work well in a room. Some bags are also designed to hang in a vehicle or wardrobe.

Better quality bags can keep going for as long as two years if you reactivate the charcoal every month. To recharge the bag, most manufacturers recommend placing the bag in the sun for a couple of hours to reactivate its scent adsorbing qualities.

Practical versus Decorative

Hidden spots in your home that you can’t see are often the places where terrible odors stem from. For these areas, functional reasoning usually wins since there’s very little to decide if you were to place a bag near a trash bin. You can even find bags that come with hooks or loops that you can use to hang them somewhere.

Most bags are plain in appearance, but you can also find some with attractive designs that might brighten up a room. They are often available in different shapes and sizes too.

Size

Size is relative to the bag’s purifying effectiveness – bigger bags can clean more air. The bags are available in many sizes, ranging from 50 grams to over a kilogram.

A bigger bag can spruce up bigger rooms and vice versa. Smaller bags work well in tighter spaces such as in knapsacks and shoes, while medium-sized bags are better suited for wardrobes. The biggest bags are best used for entire rooms such as in kitchens or bathrooms. Some of these bags come packaged in sets that contain multiple sizes.

Material

Charcoal is produced from various materials which include coal, wood, and peat. Bamboo charcoal is produced from a natural material, which some may prefer if they want to use natural products to eliminate odors. Bamboo trees grow quickly and are a sustainable product. Furthermore, old bamboo charcoal bags are biodegradable and can be used as fertilizer.

Bamboo charcoal is packaged in breathable material bags that allow air to move through it freely. Cloth is often the material of choice because it is breathable, tough, and looks good.

Charcoal Purity

You will feel at ease knowing that the bags you use contain nothing but natural products. The best bags utilize 100% bamboo charcoal that you can safely add to your compost when it has reached the end of its lifespan.

Other Natural Ways To Purify The Air At Home

Salt Lamps. Himalayan salt lamps are another way to go about it. This pink salt stone is mined in the Indo-Gangetic Plain, and when a stone of reasonable size is discovered, it is used to produce a salt lamp.

By hollowing out the stone and placing a bright bulb in it, the warmth that is generated from the bulb releases negatively charged ions into the air, which eliminates and neutralizes pollutants. These lamps are very distinctive as they have a gorgeous pink glow. Users of these lamps also claim that they encourage better sleep quality and promote better health.

Beeswax Candles. As the name suggests, these are candles made from beeswax. What makes them different, however, is they do not release smoke. Normal candles are manufactured from petroleum and will give off chemicals such as benzene, toluene, or smoke while burning.

On the other hand, beeswax candles are known to release negative ions into the air that removes pollutants. Another advantage of beeswax candles is that they burn a lot slower than normal candles, which means they last a lot longer and do not need to be replaced regularly.

Purifying Plants (Peace Lily). Some plants have been created to clean the air effectively by scrubbing carbon dioxide and converting it to oxygen. What people do not realize is that some plants can also ingest pollutants and toxins such as benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, toluene, xylene, and ammonia.

Research conducted by NASA has found that the best performing plant is the Peace Lily because it requires almost no water or sunlight. Besides being an attractive-looking plant, it is also able to ingest the chemicals mentioned above while producing healthier, cleaner air.

FAQ

How Is Bamboo Charcoal Made?

To make bamboo charcoal, manufacturers follow a two-step process. First, the branches, roots and stems of bamboo are exposed to extremely high temperatures, which causes thermal decaying to occur. Next, oxygen is applied to the bamboo, facilitating its activation.

Does Bamboo Charcoal Work?

Why is Bamboo Used to Make Activated Charcoal?

Materials such as bamboo, coal, coconut husks, peat and wood all have enough carbon to make them viable candidates for activated charcoal. However, bamboo is one of the best sources.

In comparison to trees, bamboo regrows at a much faster rate, making it a sounder environmental choice. Plus, it’s more porous, which means less bamboo is required to achieve the same result.

How Does It Freshen the Air?

Bamboo charcoal’s odor-eliminating ability is all thanks to its porosity. The bamboo charcoal inside an air purifying bag consists of numerous tiny holes. These holes essentially trap the particles that cause foul odors, which is a process known as adsorption. Over time, the accumulation of particles will cause the air purifying bag to become heavier.

Air Purifying Bags

Related: MOSO NATURAL Air Purifying Bag Review

Is Bamboo Charcoal Safe?

Absolutely! Safeness is one of activated bamboo charcoal’s major benefits. Bamboo charcoal air purifying bags do not contain any chemicals, toxins or VOCs. Therefore, they pose no risk to animals or people. In fact, once an air purifying bag outlives its usefulness, you can use the activated bamboo charcoal inside of it to fertilize your garden.

How Do I Use a Bamboo Charcoal Bag?

The first time you use an air purifying bag, you should place it in direct sunlight for about an hour as ultraviolet light kick-starts the activated bamboo charcoal. Usually, it only takes a few days to notice a difference in the way the air smells.

Every month, you’ll need to recharge the bag by putting in the sunlight the same way you did to initially activate the charcoal.

Does It Need Heat or Just Light to Recharge?

No heat necessary. Activated bamboo charcoal only requires UV rays to recharge. Therefore, you can put the bag in direct sunlight whether it’s cold or warm outside. On cloudy days, you may want to add an extra hour to the recharge time.

Bamboo Charcoal

Related: Best Charcoal Air Purifiers

Where Is the Best Place to Put an Air Purifying Bag?

Air purifying bags come in a range of sizes. Bigger bags can cover a larger area than smaller ones. Large air purifying bags contain enough bamboo charcoal to deodorize a bedroom or kitchen while small bags are well-suited for use in cars and closets.

How Long Does It Take to Neutralize Odors?

Unlike potpourri or sachets, air purifying bags to do not emit any type of smell, making it hard to determine whether the bamboo charcoal is doing its job. Typically, it takes several days for the air in the room or car to go from stale to fresh.

Will the Bamboo Charcoal Still Work If the Bag Gets Wet?

Although you should avoid wetting the bamboo charcoal, the bag will still be effective if it’s exposed to moisture. When wet, simply place it in direct sunlight until it’s dry. Usually, the drying time ranges from 2 to 4 hours.

AIRJOI Bamboo Charcoal Air Purifying Bag

How Long Do Activated Charcoal Bags Last?

Longevity is another benefit of bamboo charcoal air purifying bags. The average lifespan of activated bamboo charcoal is approximately two years. However, the actual lifespan for any given bag depends on the volume of odor-causing particles in the surrounding air.

Related: Best HEPA Air Purifiers

How Do I Know When It’s Time to Replace My Air Purifying Bag?

On-time monthly recharges will keep an air purifying bag like new for years. However, certain VOCs can remain on the bamboo charcoal even after it’s recharged.

Normally, a bag that’s gained weight due to particle containment will lose that weight once the charcoal is recharged. An air purifying bag near the end of its useful life will retain that weight, and you’ll begin to notice an unpleasant difference in the air’s odor.

Bamboo Charcoal Bags

Why Is There Black Residue Around the Bag?

Due to the dryness of the bamboo charcoal in a brand new air purifying bag, a black powdery substance may escape from the bag. This issue will resolve itself once the charcoal begins to adsorb particles in the air.

The residue won’t discolor or damage your carpet, clothes, shoes or upholstery.

Where should Purifying Bags be Placed?

These bags can literally be placed anywhere, it does not really matter where. For the most part they have a grommet which you can use to hang it just about anywhere, on drapes, on the wall etc.

Consider the size of the room as well as the bag if you want to have good results. Remember that a small bag is normally enough for a room and more than you need for a vehicle. If you need one for a bigger room, you might need a bigger – or even a few bags.

We would suggest that you place the bag as high as possible, because hot air normally moves upwards toward the roof and can then pass through the bags and allow it to do their work. Use the cup holder in your vehicle.

Summary

Is it advisable for you to purchase one of these charcoal bags? It would be a good idea after considering the information above! It’s safe, made from natural materials, and is highly effective in eliminating awful odors. They are affordable and last for a long time – up to 2 years. They require no maintenance apart from letting them sit under the sun from time to time.

Our Recommended Air Purifier Bags


Best of the Best!
Charcoal Odor Absorber for Strong Odor...
Moso Natural Air Purifying Bag 200g (3 Pack)....
Activated Bamboo Charcoal Odor Absorber for...
BASIC CONCEPTS
MOSO NATURAL
Angbo
4 x 200g
3 x 200g
8 Pack
Grab a charcoal air purifying bag and freshen up your car or home. The Basic Concepts is the most effective, all-natural way to deodorize & absorb odors from the air.
The activated charcoal odor absorber gets rid of bad smell, helping you maintain a fresh, pleasant smelling home. It’s perfect for bathrooms, closets, pet areas and car.
These bamboo charcoal bags are perfect combinations , moisture absorbers , they can effectively absorb formaldehyde, odors, moisture.
Best of the Best!
Charcoal Odor Absorber for Strong Odor...
BASIC CONCEPTS
4 x 200g
Grab a charcoal air purifying bag and freshen up your car or home. The Basic Concepts is the most effective, all-natural way to deodorize & absorb odors from the air.
Moso Natural Air Purifying Bag 200g (3 Pack)....
MOSO NATURAL
3 x 200g
The activated charcoal odor absorber gets rid of bad smell, helping you maintain a fresh, pleasant smelling home. It’s perfect for bathrooms, closets, pet areas and car.
Activated Bamboo Charcoal Odor Absorber for...
Angbo
8 Pack
These bamboo charcoal bags are perfect combinations , moisture absorbers , they can effectively absorb formaldehyde, odors, moisture.


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Last Update: 2024-03-29 | Affiliate links/Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

About the author

Hi I’m Alex, founder of HouseholdMe.com and I’d like to say thank you for dropping by. Like most of you, the first thing I look at before buying something online is reviews or buying guides. By reading what other people say will help me gauge whether or not a product is good or not.  I am trying to help people find answers, solve problems, and get inspired.

2 thoughts on “What are Air Purifying Bags? Does Bamboo Charcoal Work?”

  1. Is there any scientific proof that the bamboo charcoal really has an effect on indoor air quality?

    It feels a bit strange that you easily find everywhere pitched opinions or advertisements that praise the bags but no real information about the effects. How many % of air pollution is diminished and what type of pollution?

    Is there anyone who has used the bags and found real changes in indoor air quality or personally felt relief from typical physical symptoms that occur in bad indoor air quality?

    Do the bags clean VOCs or mold spores or collect dust? What are the real effects?

    Reply

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