Non-Toxic Living: Fragrances, Air Fresheners, Sprays, Candles, & More
"The perfume of a flower is a message of chemistry."
—Claude Levi-Strauss
We all love a fresh-smelling home, but what if the very thing masking unwanted odors silently harms our health? A concerning study published in Building and Environment sheds light on the potential dangers lurking in many popular air fresheners.
"Air fresheners, even ones called green and organic, can emit potentially hazardous chemicals.
Fewer than 10% of air freshener ingredients are typically disclosed to the public.
Over 20% of the general US population report adverse health effects from air fresheners."
Furthermore, they found that electric air fresheners can put out formaldehyde, a gas known to irritate your lungs. These air fresheners could raise formaldehyde levels to 40% of the safe limit the World Health Organization set. Even some of the most common air fresheners
Even at low levels, inhaling the toxins in air fresheners has been linked to difficulty breathing, mucosal symptoms, dermatitis, infant diarrhea and earache, migraines, asthma attacks, and ventricular fibrillation. Here are some of the most common air fresheners and their toxins:
Febreze: they only disclose 3 ingredients but the EWG found 87(!) including BHT, acetaldehyde, 1,3-Dichloro-2-propanol, limonene, and methyl pyrrolidone.
Glade Plugins: Contain phthalates and parabens.
Mrs. Meyers Air Freshener: I was surprised about this one but it contains synthetic fragrance and PEG-40.
Lysol Neutra Air Sanitizer: Contains trace levels of phthalates, the pesticide dimethyl benzyl ammonium saccharinate, and uses butane and propane as propellants in the aerosol can.
Non-Toxic Scents
Essential Oil Diffuser
Essential oil diffusers are my favorite way to make a room smell instantly better.
Top Picks:
Aromatru. Although it's on the pricier side, I like this one from Aromatru which lets you simply put up to four entire essential oil bottle in without water. No need to count drops or add water. Here's a more classic version that's on the less expensive side.
Asakuki. This is another essential oil diffuser that is less expensive and made of BPA-free materials.
Essential Oils
Pick the Right Essential Oils. Not all essential oils are treated equally and some can be toxic. Look for oils in dark amber glass bottles that are certified USDA organic from reputable companies and avoid those in cheap clear plastic bottles.
Top Picks:
Sprays
Instead of the old-school sprays like Febreze (see the intro) which haunt so many homes and bathrooms, go for non-toxic versions that still get rid of the gnarly smells.
Top Picks:
DIY Room Sprays
Make your own room spray using essential oils and water.
Directions:
Mix distilled water with a few drops of your preferred essential oil (bergamot and orange are two of our favorites).
Use a reusable glass spray bottle for the mixture.
Shake well before each use.
Mist lightly into the air.
Candles
When looking for candles, avoid:
Paraffin (which gives off benzene and toluene which are carcinogenic and toxic)
Soy (since most soy is genetically modified).
Lead wicks (can be toxic with chemicals as well)
Colors and dyes
Synthetic fragrances (which contain plenty of chemicals like phthalates, formaldehyde, and other endocrine disruptors). (Source)
Instead, opt for candles made of beeswax. Beeswax candles offer a healthier alternative as they emit negative ions that purify the air by neutralizing pollutants and allergens. They also burn longer and cleaner, producing less soot and smoke. If you prefer a scent, then go with beeswax candles made with essential oils.
Top Picks:
Odor Eliminators
Even those “odor eliminator” products that suck the smells out of the air can have toxins in them such as synthetic fragrances and other chemicals.
Mosu Bags: These bags pull chemicals, smells, allergens, and even moisture out of the air and absorb them into the bag. They are 100% scent-free and chemical-free and can cover an area of about 300 square feet. They’re good for the car and we hide one near our front door (where our shoes are)
Learn More
To learn more about toxins, check out The Non-Toxic Living Guidebook: Hacks, Strategies, & Natural Products for Better Health. I wrote this comprehensive guide as a way to break down the complexity of toxins into a simple, easy-to-read format with practical tips and clickable links to the least toxic products I could find. Get your copy today and use the code MBD20 at checkout for a 20% discount. You can also get a paperback or hardcopy on Amazon.
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