About Air Fresheners

Make Your Home (Smell) Great Again

by Marilyn Sidwell

with oversight from John W Jones, MD

www.jjConsulting.net

Did you know?  You get used to the smells in your home!  Ahhhh, yes, it smells like 'home'.  Um - how do you learn that your home 'smells bad'?  Someone tells you.  Sure!

So, if a visitor wrinkles their nose (they are too polite to tell you your room stinks), you're gonna run for your air freshener, right?  Because you want it to smell outdoor-fresh!

Question: is that really the best or wisest choice? A web search for 'air freshener' turns up some very interesting information.  This website discussed a popular brand which lists 3 ingredients.  But the Environmental Working Group found it contained 87 chemicals - many of which are toxic and carcinogenic.  Using it might expose you to hazardous materials through inhalation (those globules keep floating in the air) or absorbed through your skin.

And what about the (false) impression that you are somehow 'cleaning the air' by eliminating odors? 
Not quite fair, is it?

Is there a better way?  YES!

You could make your own air freshener with essential oils.

Many Essential Oils (EO) have properties that can enhance the air in your home.  A September 2017 study  compared an essential oil blend with 3 household products.  The study showed that the EO blend was more effective at inhibiting the growth of specific microorganisms than were the commercial products tested. The cited bacteria would, of course, contribute to household odors.  They may also have a health impact by exposing you to harmful bacteria (as opposed to 'masking' the smells).

The variety of EO benefits creates a list too long for this article.  Read HERE for evidence based suggestions..  Suffice to say that in addition to anti-bacterial, anti-mold and bug-repellant effects, EOs can affect mood, improve concentration, increase energy (invigorate you), repel insects, and be changed to meet your daily needs.

Do-It-Yourself

Create your own Air Freshener spray for your space.  Do this by filling a 2-ounce spray bottle with distilled water and add 30 to 40 drops pure essential oils. Always shake before each use.

If you want the spray to enhance your well-being to this: put 10 drops each lavender, rosemary, tea tree and eucalyptus in 2 oz distilled water.  Hint: bugs don’t like to be around....

Hey - how about a carpet freshener?  1 cup baking soda, 20 drops EO blend  (Fresh Breeze, Energize, or Refresher are popular choices)  Mix well in a non-plastic container & let sit covered overnight.  This allows the oils to be absorbed into the baking soda.  Sprinkle over carped the next day.  Vacuum.

Too much trouble?

Our AromaFresh room deodorizer is ready made for your enjoyment.  Enjoy the Essential Oils of Peppermint, Lime and Lemongrass.

Another option

Imbue your air with these wonderful scents by using a diffusor.  Doing some research I ran across this suggestion: use a diffusor in your office.  Should it be a doctor's office, think of how this might improve the 'mood' of those waiting to see the doctor (calm their fears) - or how it could minimize the risk of infection from other patients.

A few Suggestions

Aromatherapy Companion Pack  | Take along - to the gym, to work, to your hotel room.  Lavender, Peppermint, Tea Tree, Rosemary and Eucalyptus Essential Oils + a spray bottle
Breathe Easy | Bergamot, Tea Tree and Lemon - to clear, purify & cleanse
Juniper Berries | A purifying aerosol and air freshener anti-bacterial ingredient
Petitgrain Bigarade | A great antifungal, antimicrobial for your spritzer and/or diffusor

References:

Wikipedia - Air Freshene
What’s lurking in Febreeze
Comparison of antimicrobial activities of natural essential oils and synthetic fragrances against selected environmental pathogens
Aromatherapy Companion Pack
BLOG: Evidence based Clinical Aromatherapy Materia Medica