Q: Because of pregnancy-induced smell aversions, I have been practically living with a can of Febreeze Air Effects in my hand. It's the only thing I've found that actually clears the air of the dog food smells, cooking smells, the fridge, the garbage ... everything that even remotely stinks gets a spray a few times a day. But the ingredients aren't listed on the back of the can, and I can only imagine that it's not anything I should be constantly breathing in. Do you or the readers have any recipes for homemade air-freshener sprays OR good, healthy, green air-clearing sprays? I need something that effectively helps clear the air, nothing that just simply adds another smell. Would love your help!
Asked by Katie
Editor: Katie, you're right that most air fresheners are not something you want to be breathing in on a regular basis. We've written a few posts on all-natural alternatives, which you can find below, but we'll also open it up to our readers for their suggestions!
• How Can I Naturally Freshen My House? Readers Respond
• A Green Alternative to Febreze?
• An Easy Homemade 3-Ingredient Spray Air Freshener
• Spring Inspired Tips for Cleaner Air
• How To Get Rid of Pesky Home Odors
Readers, other suggestions for Katie?
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I always have a spray bottle filled with water, a few drops of fir needle oil and a few drops of eucalyptus oil. It is so refreshing! I use it like febreze on furniture and clothing, as an air freshener and also as an ironing spray. People comment all the time how fresh my house smells, and I have 2 dogs, a cat and a preschooler.
I do something similar to Keen Olive, but I use cheap vodka as the base, not water. I put drops of different scents, depending on the season ... lemon oil, eucalyptus, lavender, etc. I have older cats and a puppy, and this works well.
I like Pure Ayre. It's food-grade and safe for people and pets. I actually found it at Petco recently (they have versions marketed for pets and babies as well but honestly I can't tell if there's a difference between the regular one!).
You should throw that crap away. The Environmental Working Group has done chemical analysis on a huge number of home and personal care products (unlike food products, the manufacturers are not required by law to disclose the contents). I searched their website for Frebreze, and they report that it contains Acetaldehyde, identified as a carcinogen. http://www.ewg.org/schoolcleaningsupplies/classroomasthma
If you want to freak yourself out, start searching other favorite products on their website -- that'll make you go green!
Similar to the first two posters, I make my own. I use half water and half cheap vodka in a spray bottle and add essential oil. I've used lavender mainly, but I have found that the fragrance becomes less potent as the mixture ages. Perhaps I need to go with a higher percentage of vodka. This works on most fabrics - and dog beds! I would stay away from using it on any silk or silk blends and use a mixture that was mostly vodka on microfiber lest it leave spots. Arkay is very right - run a mile from febreeze! If I recall correctly, it even used to have a small warning on it saying people with asthma should not use. Of course I could be remembering a dream of my asthma godmother.
I do something similar as well, but I add a few teaspoons of baking soda to about 1 cup of water, 1 tablespoon or so of vodka (it binds the essential oil to the water, otherwise they will stay separate), and a few drops of essential oil, typically lavender. This REALLY cuts smells, but you have to be careful where you use it because the baking soda can leave a slight powdery residue wherever you spray it. If you don't mind dealing with that, the baking soda works very well to absorb smells.
You can make your own spray with water, baking soda and your favorite fabric softener
Love the idea of adding vodka, probably helps it dry faster on fabric.
Where do you all buy these essential oils like eucalyptus? I'd love to try some of these!
anyone know where to get the essential oils described above? Like eucalyptus? I'd love to make these!
My co-op sells tons of essential oils (it's nice to be able to smell them before you buy)... but there are many online sources - even Amazon and Drugstore.com sell good brands.
I get my essential oils from a couple of shops that carry aromatherapy grade oils, or from the following website: http://www.newdirectionsaromatics.ca/ I buy the actual oils, not fragrance oils, and use them for all kinds of stuff....house cleaning, custom perfume, air spray, bug spray, bath oils, body scrubs, sore body bits....etc etc