Tackling Odours and VOCs: The Power of Activated Carbon Filters
PUBLISHED ON: 17-May-2025
Ever walked into your home and caught a stubborn smell—maybe last night’s curry, damp laundry, or a chemical-like whiff from new furniture? Our indoor spaces are filled with invisible air pollutants and lingering odours. But more than just being unpleasant, these can include harmful substances like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from paints, cleaning products, and upholstery.
To keep your home fresh and healthy, a reliable air purifier with an activated carbon filter can be the right product. These filters don’t just mask smells—they trap and remove them, along with harmful gases, giving you cleaner indoor air.
In this blog, we will understand how activated carbon works, why it’s essential, and why choosing a quality air purifier for your home is a smart investment.
What is an Activated Carbon Filter?
Activated carbon, also known as activated charcoal, is a specially treated form of carbon with a highly porous structure that allows it to trap gases, chemicals, and odours effectively. These microscopic pores create a huge surface area, allowing the filter to act like a sponge that absorbs gases, chemicals, and unpleasant smells.
While a HEPA filter captures dust, pollen, and pet dander, the activated carbon filter handles what you can’t see or touch—like odours, VOCs, and smoke. It’s an essential part of a complete air filter system for your home.
Think of it like this: if your air purifier is the security system for your home’s air, the HEPA filter handles visible intruders (like dust), and the activated carbon filter handles the invisible ones (like chemical fumes).
Why It’s Needed in Every Home?
You’d be surprised how many household activities release odours and airborne chemicals. Common activities like cooking oily or spicy meals, spraying perfumes and air fresheners, using cleaning sprays or disinfectants, and lighting scented candles release odours that linger around.
Without a good air filter for the home, these pollutants don’t just vanish. This can trigger allergies, disrupt sleep, and cause breathing issues, especially in kids, older adults, and people with asthma.
Most standard air filters focus on catching dust and visible debris. They’re not built to trap gases or neutralise strong odours. But activated carbon attracts and holds gaseous molecules, smoke, and VOCs.
Pairing an activated carbon filter with a HEPA filter gives you the best of both worlds—removing airborne particles and tackling smells and chemical residues. The result? Air that’s fresher, cleaner, and genuinely healthier to breathe.
Two Powerful Air Purifiers from Forbes
Forbes, a household name in advanced purification, offers some of the most trusted and tech-forward air purifiers in India. Let’s look at two standout models that harness the power of activated carbon filters:
Forbes Smart 355 Surround 360° Air Purifier
Perfect for medium-sized rooms, this sleek air purifier for home use combines intelligent tech with powerful filtration:
• 4-Stage Filtration including Pre-filter, True H13 HEPA filter, Activated Carbon, and Plasma purification
• 360° Air Intake ensures thorough cleaning from all sides
• Smart sensors with real-time air quality monitoring
• PM 2.5 display, Auto mode, Sleep mode, and fan speed control
WiFi-enabled for remote access and convenience
This purifier is ideal for households that love to cook, have pets, or live in cities where indoor air can be just as polluted as outdoor air. The activated carbon layer actively removes strong smells, tobacco smoke, and household chemicals.
Forbes Smart 500 Surround 360° Air Purifier
If you’ve got a bigger space—or more people sharing it—this robust model is worth considering. It offers:
• Powerful 4-Stage Filtration: True H13 HEPA, Activated Carbon, Plasma, and Pre-filter
• VOC Colour Indicator to show real-time gas levels
• AI Mode that automatically adjusts performance
• Child Lock, Sleep Mode, and smart fan control
• Large surface area for enhanced air cleaning
It’s one of the best air purifiers for home use when you want superior filtration and odour removal, especially if your home has fresh paint, pets, or seasonal allergens.
A quality air filter for the home can drastically improve your indoor air environment and overall well-being.
Maintaining Activated Carbon Filters
These filters work quietly in the background, but like all good things, they do need replacement. Typically, activated carbon filters should be changed according to the manufacturer's guidelines and depending on usage and indoor air quality. A drop in performance or persistent odours are signs it’s time for a replacement.
Both Forbes models have indicators and app-based alerts to remind you when it’s time to clean or replace the filter, keeping maintenance hassle-free.
Why Choose Forbes?
Forbes is a name synonymous with innovation, reliability, and health-first solutions in Indian households. With decades of experience in air and water purification, their smart air purifiers are designed to deliver both performance and peace of mind.
We spend over 90% of our time indoors, yet we rarely think about the quality of air we breathe at home. From cooking fumes to pet smells and chemical vapours, the pollutants inside your house can quietly impact your comfort and health.
You’re not just buying a device; you’re investing in safer air for your family.
Conclusion
An air purifier with activated carbon and HEPA filters is a modern essential—especially if you’re health-conscious, live in urban areas, or just want your space to smell as clean as it looks.
The Forbes Smart 355 and Smart 500 Surround 360° models are among the best choices available today. They combine style, smart technology, and proven filtration power, backed by a brand trusted by millions. Invest in a Forbes air purifier for home use and experience the true power of fresh, healthy indoor living.
