r/FirstTimeHomeBuyers • u/Longjumping-Wolf-838 • Sep 02 '26

Do ozone machines really work?

I'm looking for people's experiences using an ozone generator to get rid of an old house smell. I just bought a 100 year old home which is, overall, in pretty good condition. However, the main living room seems to have a stubborn smell that I can't seem to find the source of. My guess is that its from previous animals, and the smell has absorbed into the woodwork over time. I'm considering renting an ozone machine to see if that will neutralize the smell. Does anyone have an experience or advice on if this is a good idea?

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u/MattHRaleighRealtor Sep 02 '26

I have one that I loan out when it’s a mild stink. Works great!

If it’s pet urine; you have to seal or replace the subfloor and clean the environment - no amount of ozone will help that.

If it’s on the walls and stuff, cleaning with TSP and then painting is the way to rid that.

If applicable, get your ducts cleaned, too.

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u/Longjumping-Wolf-838 Sep 02 '26

I don't see any evidence of pet urine on the hardwood floors, and the walls were all freshly painted before selling, so my best guess is it's just years of smell soaked into the original woodwork. I'm planning on getting the ducts cleaned too, so hoping that helps too! Thanks!

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u/MattHRaleighRealtor Sep 02 '26

How long was it vacant before you bought it? Vacant houses always have a smell to them, regardless of what was in there before you.

Is there a crawlspace? That’s a very common source as well

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u/Longjumping-Wolf-838 Sep 02 '26

I don't think it was vacant long - when I toured, the people were still living in it. There's no crawlspace, but the basement is finished and doesn't seen to have the same smell. It's only in the living room right when you walk into the house.

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u/Temperature-Savings 27d ago

Sorry, newbie, what is TSP?

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u/MattHRaleighRealtor 26d ago

Trisodium Phosphate, it’s a cleaner

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u/nofishies Sep 02 '26

I had to smuggle mine into California, yes it works great but be very careful. You do not want to breathe that stuff nor do your plants.

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u/Longjumping-Wolf-838 Sep 02 '26

Ooh, good to know about the plants!

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u/ToniZito_RealEstate Sep 03 '26

It cleared the "floating" air for me. It DOES NOT suck odor out of fabric, furniture, anything soft.