Charcoal odor absorber bags
Support for the Vergali activated bamboo charcoal bags: the 10-pack (3.5 oz bags), the shoe 6-pack (1.76 oz bags) and the 5-pack (7 oz bags).
How it works
Each bag holds activated bamboo charcoal granules inside a woven fabric bag. Activated charcoal is full of microscopic pores. Odor molecules and moisture in the air attach to the surface of those pores and stay there. This is called adsorption.
The bags remove odor from the air around them. They do not release a scent and they do not cover one smell with another. The bags are unscented.
- What they are for: lingering odors and dampness in enclosed spaces such as shoes, gym bags, closets, drawers, cars, cabinets, bathrooms and basements.
- What they will not do: remove the cause of an odor. If the source is still present (for example a spill, a litter box that needs changing, mildew or smoke residue on surfaces), the odor will keep coming back until the source is cleaned.
- How fast: the bags work gradually. Expect a noticeable difference in 24 to 48 hours in a small enclosed space. Stronger odors and larger spaces take several days and need more bags.
Specifications
- 10-pack
- 10 bags of 3.5 oz (100 g), each about 4 x 5.5 inches, with S-hooks
- Shoe 6-pack
- 6 slim bags of 1.76 oz (50 g), each about 2.75 x 6.7 inches, with hooks
- 5-pack
- 5 bags of 7 oz (200 g), with S-hooks
- Contents
- Activated bamboo charcoal granules
- Bag
- Woven fabric bag with a metal grommet for hanging
- Scent
- Unscented
- Working life
- Up to 2 years with monthly recharging in sunlight
- Hazard classification
- Not classified as hazardous. See the safety data sheet under Downloads.
The charcoal bags are a non-hazardous article. They are not a pesticide and make no pesticidal claims.
Instructions
- Clean first. Remove whatever is causing the odor (old shoes or clothing, food residue, damp items), then wipe or vacuum the area.
- Unpack. Take the bags out of the packaging. They are ready to use and do not need to be charged in the sun first.
- Place or hang. Put each bag as close as you can to where the odor starts. Use the hook to hang a bag from a rail, a hook or a headrest.
- Wait. Allow 24 to 48 hours. For strong odors, allow several days.
- Recharge monthly. Place each bag in direct sunlight for 2 hours, once a month.
- Replace. Replace the bags after 2 years.
Recharge your bags once a month
New bags are ready to use. Start recharging after the first month.
- Place the bags in direct sunlight for 2 hours.
- In the sun, the charcoal releases the odor and moisture it has taken in.
- Repeat once a month. The bags can be reused for up to 2 years.
How many bags to use
- 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. Large open rooms are harder to treat than enclosed spaces.
Handling and storage
- Keep the bags dry.
- Do not cut or open a bag. If a bag is torn and charcoal granules or dust come out, stop using that bag.
- Keep out of reach of children. The bags are not a toy and the contents must not be eaten.
- Store unused bags in a dry, ventilated place.
- Dispose of used bags with household waste, following local rules.
FAQ and troubleshooting
I have not noticed a difference. What should I check?
Check four things. First, time: allow at least 24 to 48 hours, and several days for a strong odor. Second, the source: if whatever causes the odor is still there, clean or remove it. Third, placement: move the bag closer to where the odor starts, and use an enclosed space where you can. Fourth, quantity: add bags for a larger space. If none of these help, contact us with your Amazon order ID.
How long does it take to work?
Usually 24 to 48 hours in a small enclosed space such as a shoe, a drawer or a gym bag. A car, a closet or a room takes several days. The stronger the odor, the longer it takes.
Do I need to put the bags in the sun before I use them?
No. The bags are ready to use out of the packaging. Sunlight is for recharging them once a month.
How do I recharge the bags?
Place each bag in direct sunlight for 2 hours once a month.
I recharged the bags and the odor is still there. Why?
Recharging restores the charcoal but does not remove the source of an odor. Clean the area, check whether the odor is coming from somewhere else, and add bags if the space is large.
Will the bags work on smoke, pet or litter box odors?
They reduce lingering odor in the air near the bag. They cannot keep up with a source that keeps producing odor. Clean the source first (for example change the litter, wash fabrics, wipe hard surfaces), then use the bags for what remains. Expect this to take longer than everyday odors.
Do the bags have a scent?
No. The bags are unscented. They remove odor and do not add a fragrance.
Do the bags absorb moisture?
The charcoal takes up some moisture from the air along with odor. The bags are not a dehumidifier and will not dry out a damp room on their own.
Which size should I use?
Use the 1.76 oz shoe bags for shoes, boots and gloves. Use the 3.5 oz bags for gym bags, drawers, closets and cars. Use the 7 oz bags for cars, closets and rooms. The bag dimensions are in the Specifications section.
How many bags should I use?
One bag per shoe, drawer or gym bag. One or two for a closet. Two or more for a car. Several for a room. See the Instructions section for the full list.
How many bags are in my pack?
The 10-pack has 10 bags, the shoe 6-pack has 6 and the 5-pack has 5. If your pack arrived with fewer, contact us with your Amazon order ID and we will put it right.
The hooks do not fit my closet rod. What can I do?
The included hooks fit over thinner rails, hangers, hooks and car headrest posts, and may not fit over a thick closet rod. You can hang the bag from a clothes hanger on the rod instead. If the hooks are missing or do not work for you, contact us.
A bag is torn or leaking charcoal. Is that a problem?
Stop using that bag. Charcoal granules and dust can mark fabrics and surfaces. Sweep or vacuum up any spill, wash your hands, and contact us for a replacement.
I got charcoal dust on my skin or in my eyes. What should I do?
Wash skin with plenty of water. If dust gets in your eyes, do not rub them. Rinse with running water for several minutes. If irritation continues, see a doctor. The safety data sheet under Downloads has the full first aid information.
Are the bags safe to use around children and pets?
The charcoal is sealed inside the bag and the product is not classified as hazardous. Keep the bags out of reach of children and pets so that a bag is not chewed or torn open.
The bag itself has a smell. Is that normal?
The charcoal itself is odorless. If a bag has a smell of its own when it arrives, leave it in open air for a day. If the smell remains, contact us.
My pack arrived opened or looks used. What should I do?
Contact us with your Amazon order ID and we will put it right.
How long do the bags last?
Up to 2 years with monthly recharging. Replace a bag sooner if it is torn.
Contact us
If you could not find your answer here, contact our support team. Include your Amazon order ID so we can help faster.