I Saw This Odor-Fighting Gem All Over My Friend’s Apartment, So I Copied Her

I have a type B personality — which is basically a polite way of saying that despite my best efforts, I can be a little bit of a mess. That being said, I pay keen attention to what all my more put-together, type A friends have in their homes so that I might attain that level of pristine tidiness in my own space. I was visiting one of these friends recently when I spotted a pretty little glass jar on the counter of her expectedly super-clean guest bathroom. She told me it was an Azuna Odor Eliminator and that it keeps the space smelling fresh without her ever really having to think about it. Obviously, I couldn’t get one in my apartment fast enough. 

Specifically, I wanted it for my home office, which is also where I hang-dry most of my clothes (small space problems!). Maybe it’s poor ventilation, but the room takes on an off, musty smell from all the damp clothes hanging in there. And the room is so jam-packed already that I didn’t want to add a candle to the mix (even though I adore candles), which would just veil the odor instead of getting rid of it. Well, the Azuna Odor Eliminator ended up being just the fix. I love being “influenced” by my friends! 

The Azuna Odor Eliminator is unlike any other air freshener I’ve tried. It’s basically a gel that uses tea tree oil to naturally tackle pesky odors around your home without covering it up with a heavy synthetic fragrance. It doesn’t need to be plugged in or lit; you just fill up one of the reusable (and refreshingly chic-looking) glass jars, cover it with the bamboo lid, and forget it. Due to tea tree oil’s natural antimicrobial and purifying properties, the formula subtly melds with the air in the room to combat odors where they start, including those caused by mildew or bacteria — and ultimately, leave the room smelling fresher than it did before (more on this later). 

A full jar of gel lasts anywhere from 60 to 90 days, and you’ll know it’s time to refresh it when the gel dissolves and turns a darker, amber color. At that point, all you need to do is wipe out the excess and refill it using one of the brand’s refill gel pouches. Azuna’s Odor Eliminating Gel is also safe for use around kids and pets (although the brand also makes a pet formula that contains cedarwood oil to better tackle pet smells). The Luxe Glass Odor Eliminator 2 Room Kit includes two refillable glass jars and a 12-ounce gel pouch of your choice. There are five scents to choose from, but if I had to pick favorites I’d choose Simply Citrus and Aromatherapy (which has a hint of lavender). 

First, a quick disclaimer. The Azuna odor eliminator won’t replace a scented candle or diffuser; I still light a candle now and then, both for the ambiance and when I want to experience a specific scent. But the odor eliminator doesn’t clash at all, and has actually become a necessary addition to every room in my apartment. The odor eliminator essentially wipes the room’s “scent slate” clean by getting rid of that stale, musty smell I can’t stand. All of the scents do smell strongly of tea tree oil (its main ingredient) at first, but once it’s had time to acclimate to the space, the smell fades into the background and, to me, is hardly noticeable — it just smells fresh with subtle notes of citrus, lavender, or whichever fragrance you choose. Our home office, which used to always smell of damp laundry, now smells airy and bright. I was so impressed with the change that I put one in my bedroom, too. Now when I enter the room, I don’t think about the smell at all — which is exactly how it should be. 

Also, when the odor eliminator is so low-effort, why wouldn’t I keep one in every room? I love that it doesn’t require an outlet (my apartment has few enough as it is), and that the compact glass jars fit easily onto nearly any surface. They aren’t an eyesore, either; they feature a chic glass vessel and bamboo lid. The Azuna odor eliminator looks like an extension of my decor, unlike other air fresheners that seem to scream, “I’m an air freshener — this room reeks!” Plus, being able to set it and forget it for three months is an absolute treat. I just wipe out the residual gel with a paper towel and refill it. Easy! 

Buy: Azuna Luxe Glass Odor Eliminator 2 Room Kit, $60 (normally $100)