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.
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