Charcoal bags not working? Five things to check
Charcoal bags work quietly and slowly, so it can be hard to tell what they are doing. If the smell is still there, one of these five things is almost always the reason.
What "working" looks like
Activated charcoal does not add a scent. It takes odor out of the air around it, a little at a time. So you will not smell the bag working. You will notice that the old smell is weaker, and then gone.
That takes time. In a small closed space, such as a shoe or a gym bag, most people notice a difference in 24 to 48 hours. A car, a closet or a room takes several days.
Charcoal removes smells. It does not cover them with a fragrance.
1. Give it enough time
Wait at least 24 to 48 hours before you judge the result. For a strong odor, or a larger space, wait several days.
New bags are ready to use out of the pack. You do not need to put them in the sun first.
2. Remove the source of the smell
This is the most common reason a bag seems to do nothing. A bag can take in the odor that lingers in the air. It cannot keep up with something that keeps making new odor.
- A damp towel or wet shoes
- A spill, or old food
- A litter box that needs changing
- Mildew
- Smoke residue on walls, fabric or hard surfaces
Clean or remove the source first. Wipe or vacuum the area. Then let the bags deal with what is left.
3. Move the bag closer
Put each bag as close as you can to where the odor starts. Air has to reach the bag, so do not shut it inside a box or a sealed container.
The bags work best in enclosed spaces, where the air stays still: shoes, gym bags, drawers, closets, cabinets and cars. A large open room is harder to treat.
Use the hook to hang a bag from a rail, a hook or a car headrest. If the hook does not fit a thick closet rod, hang the bag from a clothes hanger on the rod.
4. Use enough bags
One small bag will not treat a whole room. Match the number of bags to the space.
- Shoes, boots and gloves: one shoe bag (1.76 oz) in each.
- Gym bag, drawer or cabinet: one 3.5 oz bag.
- Closet: one or two 3.5 oz bags, or one 7 oz bag.
- Car: two or more 3.5 oz bags, or one or two 7 oz bags. Use more for a larger vehicle.
- Room or basement: several bags placed around the room.
The shoe 6-pack has the slim 1.76 oz bags, the 10-pack has the 3.5 oz bags, and the 5-pack has the large 7 oz bags.
5. Recharge the bag in the sun
Charcoal fills up over time. A bag that worked well at first and then stopped probably needs recharging.
Once a month, place each bag in direct sunlight for 2 hours. In the sun, the charcoal releases the odor and moisture it has taken in. With monthly recharging, a bag lasts up to 2 years.
Recharging restores the charcoal. It does not remove the source of a smell. If the odor comes back soon after recharging, go back to check 2.
Smoke, pets and other strong odors
The bags reduce the odor that lingers in the air near them. Strong odors take longer than everyday ones, and they need the source dealt with first.
For a litter box, change the litter. For smoke or pets, wash the fabrics and wipe the hard surfaces. Then use the bags for what remains, and expect it to take several days.
Still not happy?
If you have worked through all five checks and you are still not satisfied, our Rapid Refund program covers you.
For anything else, see charcoal bags support or contact our support team. Include your Amazon order ID so we can help faster.