Activated charcoal is a jack-of-all trades—it is used to whiten teeth, filter water, and even used in emergency rooms to treat poisoning. So it’s really no surprise that this magical substance is also an odor-eliminator, found inside the popular Moso Natural Air Purifying Bags. People are raving about how effective these Air-Purifying Bags are, so we tested the product out ourselves, placing it in the smelliest parts of our home. Here’s what we found out.
Design: Natural materials, but awkward packaging
The MOSO Natural Air Purifying Bag is unassuming. We got a small size, 200 grams. It comes in a 6 x 6.5 x 2-inch gray sachet bag made of burlap-like woven fabric. It features rustic stitching and a grommet in one corner. It does not give off any odor, even when we put our face up close and took a whiff. This size bag is supposed to be effective for a room up to 90 square feet. Its outer packaging comes in a small plastic bag that you have to rip open. There’s a simple label on the front with the company’s name, some information about the product, and a small space where we wrote the date we opened the package. This small touch is actually quite thoughtful—since the bag can be used for two years, and we are not likely to remember the bag’s two-year anniversary. Writing down the date right on the bag ensures we know when to change it out. The MOSO Natural Air Purifying Bag is filled with bamboo activated charcoal. We think the packet must be lined, as we never had any issues with black powder falling out. Activated charcoal is made from all-natural materials and contains no synthetic chemicals. Our only complaint about the packaging is that it isn’t convenient for all situations. For instance, we wanted to put the bag near the cat’s litter box, but we couldn’t find a good spot for it. It’s not pretty enough to display out in the open, and we didn’t want to put a nail in the wall to hang it up—because why would you hang a gray satchel on the wall? Our best solution was to hide it behind some trinkets on a side table.
Odor Removal: Good for small spaces
This product works. To understand how this product is effective, you need to know a little more about charcoal, particularly activated charcoal. As you probably already know, charcoal is created by burning carbon-rich material, such as wood, at a very high temperature. Going a step further, the charcoal is “activated” or subjected to further treatment to make the structure more porous. Activated charcoal removes toxins from the environment through adsorption (not a typo). Basically, the toxins in the air get stuck on the charcoal’s surface—like flies might get stuck to sticky paper. Because the material has a huge surface area made up of many pores, a small piece of activated charcoal can remove an impressive amount of toxins and other molecules from air or water. With that in mind, it’s no surprise that people swear by the MOSO Natural Air Purifying Bag, which contains activated charcoal made from bamboo. To experience these effects for ourselves, we hung the MOSO bag in my car, which smelled like wet dog after many trips to the lake throughout the summer. Using the bag’s grommet, we tied it to the back of the headrest, and we left it there for about a week. It took several days, but we began to notice the wet-dog smell wasn’t as potent as it was initially. After a week, we were impressed that the car didn’t seem to have any lingering odors. Feeling confident after this performance, we moved the MOSO Bag into the office, which is home to the cat’s litter box. Even with regular cleaning, the litter box manages to stink up the space. It was particularly bad when we placed the bag on a nearby side table. This small room is about 80 square feet, so in theory, the small 200g bag should have been enough to tackle the odor. However, looking back, we think the 15-foot ceilings may have thrown off its effectiveness. The height increases the overall volume of the room quite a bit. We left the bag there for three weeks. We noticed that it curbed the odor a little bit. However, the charcoal couldn’t completely banish the smell of cat waste. When I was working at my desk, I would still get an occasional whiff of cat pee and litter. The room might have been too big, or the box really needed a thorough cleaning and fresh litter. Either way, we think a more heavy-duty solution might be necessary for this type of strong odor and bigger spaces.
Power: Takes a while to kick in
One of the great things about the MOSO bag was that we simply placed it near the offending smell then forgot about it. There was no scrubbing or cleaning required, and it truly couldn’t be easier to use. However, on the flip side, the MOSO Natural Air Purifying Bag does not work instantly. We didn’t notice results in the car for about a week, and it was several days before the litter box smell was minimized even a little. If you think back to the explanation of how charcoal works, these results make sense. It is going to take time before the little bag is exposed to all the smelly molecules floating around the room. The company recommends you place the bag in an open space, not tucked away in a corner. Overall, if you need a quick-acting odor remover, this isn’t it.
Longevity: Use again and again for two years
To keep the MOSO Bag working well, the brand recommends that you “rejuvenate” it once a month by putting the bag in direct sunlight for an hour. MOSO explains that the sun’s ultraviolet rays cause the charcoal to release all the molecules trapped in its pores, causing the pollutants to disintegrate. You can use your MOSO Bag for up to two years, as long as you rejuvenate it regularly.
Price: Pretty much a steal
Considering that the MOSO Air Purifying Bag can be used for two years, we have no problem paying $9.95 for it. We can see it being a handy solution for the bathroom, closet, car, or other small spaces, and it comes in different size packets if you want to try it out for bigger rooms, as well.
MOSO Natural Air Purifying Bag vs. Fresh Wave Odor-Removing Gel
The Fresh Wave Odor-Removing Gel is another all-natural smell-buster, and it’s quite effective at getting rid of bathroom odors and other unpleasant scents around the house. It works immediately and has strong deodorizing power. Compared side-by-side, the MOSO Air-Purifying Bag is much more affordable and lasts significantly longer. The Fresh Wave Gel costs $40 for 3 pounds of gel, which will probably last for about nine months. If you’re looking for a product that will rid your whole home of all odors, this isn’t it. However, the MOSO Air Purifying Bag is undeniably a budget-friendly solution for small spaces like the bathroom, car, or closet. Its natural ingredients make it safe to use around your family, and we love that you can “recharge” the bag for up to two years, using it again and again.
