I had one of these machines, but it emitted a sweet yeast smell. I tried different machines, different filters, different rooms, but it never went away unless I removed the filter completely. Any ideas of what it’s from? I would love the machine to work null

Question

Mel1 · Accepted Answer

I have the same problem but have not been able to find any information on this. I even bought a new filter and the problem returned with the new filter in less than two months. This is not an odor that is normally present in my environment that it absorbed. I think humidity is part of the problem and that it might have something to do with the filter material itself, but I'm surprised I'm not finding more people commenting about this issue

Answered by Mel1 6 years ago

Lesley · Answer

Thanks Mel1 - good to know I’m not the only one. I did some googling and found others who claim it’s the glue used in the filter. But, like you, I’m totally surprised this issue isn’t reported more often. When I asked Dyson they said it was the first they heard of it. Maybe it’s being down played or people just don’t notice the smell. I live in British Columbia so maybe humidity is a factor - tho the smell from the machine was emitted almost straight away. When I changed the filter it started 10 minutes after. It concerns me because my newborn was exposed to it for a week while I tried to figure out what was going on. Anyhow, buyer beware!

Answered by Lesley 6 years ago

Steve · Answer

activated carbon or charcoal, which eliminate smells, causes that sweet smell. Most people won’t notice the smell but anytime you are buying activated carbon or charcoal filters you will get that smell.

Answered by Steve 5 years ago

Mattyboy · Answer

Same problem here, have it in our toddlers room overnight and when we come into the room in the morning it has a stale air smell, not pleasant at all. I really need to know what it is and if it’s safe to breath. Nothing from Dyson over this???

Answered by Mattyboy 4 years ago

TDal · Answer

I'm also experiencing this strange smell, you're not alone ! And yet, I still don't know what to do and where to start. This chat is a good start and I'll keep posted on what's happening here !

BusyBee · Answer

I have a TP06 Pure Cool Cyptomic. I used it intermittently for about 6-9 months without noticing this smell. As soon as the wildfires hit and I started running the purifier all day I started noticing the smell. Its like a sour or sweet smell. It's hard to describe, but it isn't particularly pleasant. Seems a shame for a $650 purifier to smell up your room. I'm pretty unhappy about it.

Answered by BusyBee 4 years ago

Mark34443 · Answer

I have come across the same issue, but it seems as if I have found a solution. The first thing you are going to have to do is you have to take off the top part just as if you were going to change the filter. Once you've removed that part you'll be able to see the part in the middle where the air originates. What you want to do here is then look for a circular greyish plastic foam that is wrapped around the middle. Remove this with a little bit of patience and the smell should drastically decrease.

Answered by Mark34443 5 years ago

MH23 · Answer

My machine is only 2 months old and started having this wierd smell. The smell is like compost and I initially thought it was my trash can until I removed the trash but the smell wouldn't go away. Finally I walked up to the purifier and smelled the air blowing out of it and viola it was the Dyson. I called Dyson and their solution is to replace the whole thing since its under warrenty. This is obviously something they must be aware of and will not admit. I do live is a highly humid area so the comments about high humidity impacting the filter makes sense. So guess I am stuck with a worthless machine that I can't use. What's the point of an air purifier if it stinks up your house instead of cleaning the air. This is the last Dyson anything I purchase. All their products cost a lot and have hidden problems they keep out of the spoltlight.

Answered by MH23 2 years ago

Ambie · Answer

Mine is giving off a weird smell as well. Almost like Nail Polish remover. It has been doing that ever since I got it. I have had it for about 6 months.

Sooo · Answer

Wow I just bought one of these and I had to call Dyson to complain about this strange yeasty smell it smelled like somebody had been making sourdough yeast starters and use the filters and then sent them on to me. It is funny to read your comment. I have supposedly got to refresh filters on the way and maybe they will be different. Two years ago a? I wonder if you're still using the product.

Answered by Sooo 4 years ago

Answer

Its the carbon.   Some carbons produce the smells even when its new, some carbons do no produce the smell.  It is not harmful in any way.  This is not specific to dyson but happens in my winix and austin air.  Depends on which brand of filter you use and which carbon they use, you may or may not get that smell.  Some aftermarket brands you different carbons and you might not get that smell.

Answer

Thank you oh so much for reporting this. We were using cheaper filters at forst then my husband bought the actual dyson replacement and i was wrecking my brain trying to figure out why the baby's room has this smell till i went up to the dyson and got it. Has it affected anyone's sleep? I am questioning if it does my baba and reason for his sudden stuffiness and waking up out of no where at night. Good to know i am not going mad.

Asthmatic · Answer

I have the sweet smell also coming out of machine
I cannot take chemical smells or fragrances
Where can i find a filter that is not dyson that would fit the Dyson Cool air tower?????
Really upset at dyson
The most i gave ever spent on an air purifier

Answer

It’s from the carbon filter… I don’t know why… brand new smell like that…

Fogureditout · Answer

As most reviews state, the sweet smell coming out of our Dyson air filters is due to moisture. According to the air purifier, my humidity level was at 76% and started to give out that weird smell as most of you have experienced. I read this Q&A session, saw that it potentially was caused by the humidity and then turned on my dehumidifier. Now my humidity level is back down to 60% and the Dyson is no longer giving out that weird sweet smell. If anyone else can corroborate this, I am sure it will help out others. Thanks!

vicaroony · Answer

I noticed the smell too. I thought I was Losing my mind. I finally Decided to rub my favorite essential oil around the Rim of the fan. The air flows over the oil and I don’t notice the smell. Much, much better. Lol

Answer

It's formaldehyde trapped in carbon filters. Read this https://www.air-purifier-power.com/formaldehyderemovalpurifiers.html

Answer

This also happens to me, not sure what it is either.

Henry · Answer

I’m getting the odd smell from my Dyson fan too. I live in the UK and we’ve had dry, hot weather for months and the smell has only just started. You’d think Dyson would sort it out instead of denying it’s an issue.

Glenn · Answer

I have the same problem. After reading the comments here, I rang Dyson support and they gave me nothing. I took out the filter, turned on the machine and the problem goes away. It is CLEARLY the glues in the filter. Here is my fix which is working ok. I have got some Young Living Essentials Oil ("Purification") and dropped about 12 drops all over the filter. This has masked the smell and now it get the essential oils smell - must better. I have also ordered a cheap generic brand filter off ebay to see if that fixes the problem, as suggested above. What a disappointment from Dyson.

Brady · Answer

I know this is quite late, but wanted to let you know it is normal and actually a good thing. When the carbon part of the filter is working as it should (eliminating odors), for some reason it turns to a sweet smell. Some describe it as cake, yeast, melon, etc, etc. I have had 3 different brands, all with a carbon filter, and all have this smell when I'm in the breeze zone. When it stops giving off this slight sweet scent, the carbon portion may be done doing its job.

“I had one of these machines, but it emitted a sweet yeast smell. I tried different machines, different filters, different rooms, but it never went away unless I removed the filter completely. Any ideas of what it’s from? I would love the machine to work”

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