How To Use Ozone Generator To Remove Odors Properly

Bad odors in the air are not only annoying but also potentially bad for your health. Sometimes these odors can be so strong that traditional cleaning methods like using baking soda or white vinegar simply do not work. Using an ozone generator is a more powerful way to remove them.

Some of you may worry about the safety of ozone usage. We will explain how ozone generators work on specific bad odors, what precautions to take and possible scenarios for their use.

How do ozone generators work?

Ozone generators produce ozone by breaking oxygen molecules (O2) apart so that singular atoms can bond with other O2 molecules to form O3 (ozone). This is done in two ways: through silent corona discharge, which utilizes electric discharge to split the oxygen molecules, or via UV radiation to split oxygen molecules. XTAR AF1 mini ozone generator use the first way.

O3 is unstable and only shares a loose connection with the other molecules. Therefore, it will easily attach itself to pollution, especially high-odor pollutants like smoke. It can also attach itself to viruses, bacteria, mold spores, and organic matter. After it attaches to pollutants, the substance is destroyed. The ability to attach to other molecules, such as smoke and odor, gives ozone it’s ability to clean and deodorize indoor areas quickly.

However, ozone is dangerous to humans, pets and even plants. Since ozone gas is very reactive to organic material, it puts living things in danger. It can cause a few breathing problems and is quite detrimental to people who have lung diseases. Those who have asthma or mesothelioma can have worsening reactions to ozone. It can mess with our cells and cause inflammation and sinus problems if you breathe it in.

How do ozone generators remove common odors?

We know that ozone generators can be harmful to our health. So why do we still use them?

Because despite the risks, they have a strong ability for cleaning, sanitizing, and removing offensive odors. Unlike an air purifier, you can’t operate an ozone air cleaner on a continual basis, but that doesn’t mean they should never be used. It simply means they need to be used cautiously.

Pet odors

As much as we love them, our pets are some of the most common sources of stinkiness in a house. Pet dander is composed of skin flakes and the most common source of that “pet smell,” which can be hard to get rid of with traditional methods.

Some pets can have accidents and get some waste in the carpet or on the floor, leading to more unappealing scents. On the other hand, you might be coming into a home that has had pets before. If this is the case, the scent might still linger and you will have to get it as clean as you can. Thankfully, an ozone generator will penetrate pet dander and other odor-causing bacteria, no matter the pet is a cat, dog, ferret, or even a fish.

Pet urine - a very common source of strong odor in carpets and porous materials - contains urea, which will not oxidize. Therefore, it is important to identify the source of your pet odor smells before choosing to use an ozone generator.

Car/Vehicle odors

Long haul and short haul trucking companies that transport produce, livestock and many other items that leave behind a wide range of smells might require frequent odor removal in their vehicles. Our vehicles can produce some pretty offensive odors, such as carbon dioxide, oil, or gasoline. Metal also has a strange odor after a long time of use. So you’ll want to run an ozone generator on your car, truck or even in your garage.

Keep in mind that it’s a good idea to cover your metal tools and take your car out of the garage, because ozone gas doesn’t mix well with metal. And don’t forget to take out any sort of personal belongings from your vehicle.  

Cigarette and marijuana smoke

Cigarette smoke stains and leaves unattractive discolorations in places. It stains ceilings, furniture, clothes, and even your body. That smoke smell will stick around for a long time unless you really try to remove it. Because it is a difficult odor to remove, people often try ozone and other more extreme odor removal methods.

Please use the ozone generators strictly according to the instructions. Since smokers are at an increased risk for both asthma and cardiovascular disease, while ozone can be very hard on people with those issues.

Hunting gears/clothes odors

Ozone is widely advertised as the right solution for hunters. Since deer is one of the most popular game around, it’s common for most people to enquire if Ozone can improve their chances of catching deer. It is possible to increase your hunting success by using an ozone generator. This device eliminates your scent meaning the deer won’t detect your presence compared to before when it noticed a hunter and started running away.

On the other hand, if you are hunting or have dogs to walk, you may meet the animal that causes an odor more rancid than any other: the skunk. Skunks will lift their tail and spray you or your pets with a disgusting, horrible-smelling liquid. It will stain your clothes, skin, and your pet’s fur. It’s extremely difficult to get out. If you’re looking to get rid of those gross smells, a thorough washing should be done first. This will get any of the excess liquids off the material. After that, hanging your clothes up near an ozone generator will be optimal.

Be sure to use it in an enclosed area and make sure there are no living things around it. This can be in a closet or room as long as no one is present. After it runs, you must let it sit for another 1-2 hours so you don’t breathe it in.

Mold and mildew

Mold and mildew grow in dark and humid places where there is a lack of fresh oxygen, such as the walls, floor etc.. They are toxic to humans and can cause lots of sickness.

The mold must be first removed to effectively eliminate the odors. Then run an ozone generator in the room the mold was in. Setting it near the surface that mold was on is a good idea. You should run it for 3-6 hours as you would in a normal ozone treatment for a room.

After that, you shouldn’t have any more odors around the room. If you haven’t fixed the water damage or whatever caused the mold to grow, it’s very possible for the mold to come back and grow again. This will cause the scent to return as well.

Sweat or body odor

Rental homes may reek with the smell of a past tenant. Strong body odors can linger and be difficult to air out by simply leaving windows open or through basic cleaning. This happens especially in the living room and bedroom. And our sweat evaporates and carries our scent into other areas like the curtains, on furniture and more.

As the ozone can’t penetrate deep into cushions, you can get some odor-removing spray or liquid to wash these cushions and surfaces. Spraying or washing these things will remove the odor-causing bacteria first. After that, you can use your ozone generator.

It can be placed near your furniture, near curtains, or simply in the middle of the room. Leaving it on for 3-6 hours will eliminate any smells in the air and make your room smell as clean as the first day you purchased your home. Of course, you shouldn’t be in the same room while running it. Make sure you take any pets or plants out, as well.

Food smells

Many people love to cook, but there are many foods that can leave offensive odors, like curry, garlic and cabbage. An ozone generator can help with this. And ozone can also destroy pesticides or other harmful chemicals on the vegetables or foods.

In fact, if you put a battery-powered ozone generator like XTAR AF1 in your refrigerator and let it work for several hours, your vegetables will be fresh for a longer time. And there is no bad odors in your refrigerator.

If you use the ozone generator in your kitchen, be sure to cover any sort of cookware or kitchen utensils that you don’t want to have possibly ruined. Ozone affects metal badly and causes it to prematurely rust. Simply covering them with a bag or tarp will work fine.

What precautions should be taken?

If you decide to use an ozone generator to remove mold, bacteria, or odor, how should it be done?

First of all, you can remove the source of the odor and cleaning as thoroughly as possible, including the use of safe liquid cleaners, vacuuming carpets, wiping surfaces, and dusting. This will help make the odor removal more effective. Keep in mind that ozone generators are the best odor-removing tools, but they can’t replace cleaning or spraying furniture, carpets, or curtains.

Here are a few precautions you should take in using an ozone generator:

1. Opening a window and facing a fan out to allow for better circulation of ozone.

2. If you opt for an ozone generator to mitigate a vehicle’s odor, use it in the vehicle for 1-2 hours, then air the car out overnight.

3. Remove any items that you don’t want to experience discoloration or potential damage from rooms in which you use an ozone generator.

4. Wait 2-4 hours for it to settle before re-entering the room in which you used the generator.

5. Make sure EVERYONE and pets do not have access to the space while the ozone generator is running.

6. Keep plants out of the area.

7. Instead of doing a 12-hour marathon of ozone removal, try doing a few short periods to gradually erode the smell or mold.

All in all, an ozone generator is something that everyone can use, especially the portable XTAR AF1 mini ozone generator. Ozone is dangerous to breathe in, but if you don’t do that, it’s a great tool to eliminate odors. Just be sure to follow, in every detail, the instructions for that device.