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Most of us have, at one time or another, freshened up the air in our home with commercial air-
freshening products – sprays, plug-ins, etc. But regardless of whether they’ve removed the CFC’s from
your aerosol, these products are supremely unhealthy, and terrible for the environment. Considering
the fact that these products are meant to ‘clean’ the air in your home, this may surprise you. But trust
me, there are better ways to deal with odors.
Why not to use commercial air fresheners:
The overall combination of pesticides, chemical fragrances, and petroleum products makes for a caustic,
poisonous stew. Why would you want to breathe that? If you want to know what’s in your specific
brand of air freshener, go to the Household Products Database; chances are you’ll find your brand
there, along with some scary ingredient info.
You don’t have to live with odors in your home. Here are some natural ways to freshen up.
Don’t let a stuffy home get you down. Just freshen up – naturally!
freshening products – sprays, plug-ins, etc. But regardless of whether they’ve removed the CFC’s from
your aerosol, these products are supremely unhealthy, and terrible for the environment. Considering
the fact that these products are meant to ‘clean’ the air in your home, this may surprise you. But trust
me, there are better ways to deal with odors.
Why not to use commercial air fresheners:
- Most are made with a base of ‘liquefied sweetened petroleum gas’ (sound appetizing?) This
ingredient is terrible to breathe, because it can coat the insides of your lungs the way that
petroleum jelly coats your skin. Also, its manufacture relies on – you guessed it – petroleum, and
production of millions of cans each year only increases our national dependence on foreign oil
exports. - Most use chemical fragrances. The chemical formulas which result in that ‘spring fresh’ scent are
made in laboratories from compounds which are considered proprietary to the chemical company.
This means that they do not have to be shared with the FDA, and any testing conducted is the
sole responsibility of the manufacturer. Is it any wonder so many people have allergic reactions
to these types of fragrances? - Sanitizing sprays (like Lysol) claim to disinfect surfaces and ‘clean’ your air. The truth is, in order
to kill germs on surfaces, their ingredients lists include powerful pesticides. Recent research
suggests that overuse of any antimicrobial formula can encourage the growth of drug-resistant
bacteria like Super TB. Plus, if you can’t safely spray it on your skin, why would you want it inside
your lungs? - Plug-in air fresheners and air freshening candles use paraffin as their wax base, which is derived
from crude oil and emits 11 known toxins when burned. Plus, their scents are even more
concentrated than those in sprays, so when you put your nose in for a whiff you’re getting a
double or triple chemical dose.
The overall combination of pesticides, chemical fragrances, and petroleum products makes for a caustic,
poisonous stew. Why would you want to breathe that? If you want to know what’s in your specific
brand of air freshener, go to the Household Products Database; chances are you’ll find your brand
there, along with some scary ingredient info.
You don’t have to live with odors in your home. Here are some natural ways to freshen up.
- Bring home a plant. Plants are natural air filters, sucking up CO2 and other gases, as well as
chemicals in the air, and recycling it into pure, healthy oxygen. Plus, they add a nice touch of
atmosphere. Some to really zone in on include spider plants, Ficus trees, and Boston ferns.
Bonus: Boston ferns can also absorb radiation from your TV. Just place the plant alongside your
tube. - Use Zeolite crystals: these crystals absorb odors and pollutants like little rock sponges. Hang
them in closets, spread them in potted plants, or set a bowl of them on the coffee table. And
when they stop working, just set them in the sun for a day to recharge. For more info, and to
buy, go to nontoxic.com. - Use a non-toxic, non-petroleum air freshener like OrangeMate’s Lemon Mate Spray. It’s totally
healthy, and a little goes a long way. - Burn naturally scented soy candles like those from EcoLight. Not only does the burning process
help to purify the air, the natural (read: non-chemical) fragrances will freshen up your whole
home. - Hang herbal sachets in musty areas. Make your own with herbs like cloves, lavender, thyme,
chamomile, American ginseng, sage, or rose petals. Or, buy from earth-conscious companies like
Sweet Grass Farms. Bonus: herbal sachets can (and should) replace your mothballs too. - Invest in an air purifier. Ionic air filters are great – so long as you’ve purchased it with an ozone
filter. Hepa filters work well, but the filters themselves are expensive and create a lot of waste,
so if you can find a washable variety it’s better.
Don’t let a stuffy home get you down. Just freshen up – naturally!
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