Toxic Air Fresheners: Did you know that most air fresheners are toxic?
The advertising of air fresheners and plug-ins makes it sound like everyone should have a house that smells like an “ocean breeze.” Or that you are only a good mom if you spray air fresheners all over your house.
Why are so many people buying into that? We are so much smarter than that! In this post I’m detailing why air fresheners are toxic, and I’m letting your know the best products for naturally healthy, fresh air in your home.
Air fresheners don’t “freshen” the air. They just mask odors, with synthetic fragrance or by interfering with your ability to smell.
They coat your nasal passages with an oil film or releasing a nerve-deadening agent. In rare cases, they will break down the odors.
Known toxic chemicals can be found in air fresheners like phenol, ethanol, formaldehyde, and artificial fragrances, which can cause symptoms like headaches, rashes, dizziness, asthma attacks, mental confusion, coughing and more.
Some of the substances in toxic air fresheners are linked to cancer or hormone disruption and they may affect human reproductive development.
A study published on July 10, 2010, in Environmental Health found that women who used more household cleaning products, including air fresheners and mold removers, had a 2x higher risk of breast cancer.
That’s a good reason not to buy them, right?
Many aerosol air fresheners contain toxic phthalates, which have been linked to birth defects and reproductive harm.
This is my kind of air freshener:
This post includes affiliate links.
I’m a huge advocate of green living, recycling, natural cleaning and non-toxic skincare products, and share a lot of information I wish every parent would know on my Healthy Living and Green Living page.
With a growing body of evidence linking everyday environmental contaminants to asthma, learning disabilities, obesity, cancer and more, it looks like a lot more education is necessary.
I’m always astounded by the reaction I get when I mention the danger of commercial “air fresheners,” many candles, and plug-in units.
Many people I speak to say they had no idea air fresheners are toxic.
It’s so important to stay away from them, especially when you have growing children, yet according to the Wall Street Journal, the global sales of air fresheners are on the rise:
“Though a seemingly optional purchase for cash-strapped consumers, Febreze sold well in the U.S., Europe and Japan during the global economic slowdown, helping it become the 24th Procter & Gamble Co. brand to reach $1 billion in annual sales.”
It’s sad to see how many people buy into the false claims of air fresheners, waste their money, and don’t realize the danger of them.
Air “fresheners” do not freshen air, they make the air in your home unhealthy.
Your family’s health and our environment (and your pocketbook!) are much better of if you don’t buy commercial air fresheners.
Freshen indoor air naturally with indoor plants and by opening the windows to let in fresh air — it’s that simple.
Here are my favorite air freshening products that I use in our home that actually work:
Air Purifying Bag 4 Pack. Bamboo Charcoal Air Freshener, Odor Eliminator
The incredibly powerful type of charcoal in these bags has millions of little pores and cavities that act like a big magnetic sponge, attracting particles out of the air, and leaving your space clean and fresh.
- It’s fragrance-free and chemical free
- Safe to use around children and pets
- Made from a natural, sustainable resource
To rejuvenate and reuse the bags, place your bag in the sun once a month for at least one hour.
This air purifier captures up to 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns — pet dander, pollen, dust, mold & smoke.
It
Tracie says
Air fresheners always give me a horrible headache, but my husband refuses to believe that it is possible for “a smell to make your head hurt” so he continues to buy new scents to try. I’m sending him this right now.
Dagmar says
Oh my goodness, Tracie, air fresheners are seriously toxic and can cause all kinds of health issues. Tell him to stop wasting his money! I hope my post and the links will finally convince him. Aren’t your headaches enough to stop buying them? He is basically buying into bogus ads for air fresheners. It’s a huge industry, and they’ll tell you anything to make a profit. They don’t care about your health.
Debsgreatfinds says
wow had no ideal that air fresheners were so bad for are heath.
magpie says
Gah. I’ve always hated them, but now I have a rational reason for my loathing.
Serendipity is Sweet says
Great post! Important info to share. I knew this but my husband doesn’t believe me. He wants everything to have a “fresh” smell. If he can’t smell it, it smells bad. He’ll go around lighting 4 or 5 scented candles and I’m literally gaging. As a culture we’ve totally bought into this and it’s crazy. We didn’t need all that junk 30 years ago.
I voted, shared on FB and twitter.
Keep up the great work ;)
Dagmar says
I adore Mrs. Meyer’s geranium cleaner — it makes you literally happy to smell that smell. I bet your husband would like it.
http://www.mrsmeyers.com/Products/Household_Cleaners/Geranium_Countertop_Spray
Alicia @MommyDelicious says
Whoa…. very eye-opening post. I used to use air fresheners, but I stopped buying them not b/c I knew all of this, but b/c I kept forgetting when I get to Target. LOL. Lucky for me… and my son! Opening the window has proven to be more effective than air fresheners though!
Ollie McKay's says
Great post! AND I just got thru spraying some room freshener around – that’s it! no more for me! AND we are expecting our FIRST grandbaby any day ( a little girl named Soleil) so I’m passing all this info on to my son and daughter-in-law too! Thank You! Happy healthy beautiful Monday to all!
Kristi {at} Live and Love Out Loud says
I had no idea that these air fresheners could be so toxic! Thanks so much for sharing this, Dagmar. And of course you can count on my vote! :)
I also Stumbled this post. Well done!
Dagmar says
Thank you, Kristi, you are the best!
Verena says
Very good post! Too many people are using these air fresheners. Luckily we never use air freshener!
I just voted for you! ;)
Dagmar says
Danke for the vote, Verena!
Dagmar says
Thanks for your vote, Verena :)
karen says
I’ve never liked the smell of air fresheners. They smell so fake, and usually don’t improve the ambience or atmosphere in a room. I always have windows open, even just a small amount, in winter, to let fresh air in. I have an oil burner, I burn (as in add oils to water, with a small flame underdeath) which I add pure oils like rose, neroli, lavender, or jasmine. I also use frankincense or cinnamon at Christmas, to make a lovely smell, and I use it for eucalyptus when we have colds. But I generally prefer to open windows and let air in. Thankfully we live in an area with very few little car traffic or fumes.
My favorite “real” smells which are easy to fill a house with, are fresh coffee, any kind of baking smell, (especially chocolate based or fresh bread) the smell of fresh cut grass, when the fields next to our house are mowed, the smell of clean laundry being ironed, and fresh flowers. All easy ways to make a home smell nice, if you want to, and far less toxic than some yucky air “freshener”.
Carol says
One of the best ways to freshen the air is open a window. Even in the middle of the Winter. Cracking a window open for a minute or two can clean out the stagnant indoor air. One of my favorite ways to freshen is with essential oils. I like to sprinkle an essential oil such as lavender or orange in a bowl on top of baking soda. Mix it up with a fork. Sprinkle it around on my carpets and vacuum it up. It freshens the air and my carpets.