Fresh air is something that should be natural, so why is there a huge market in hormone-disrupting chemicals that are sprayed across our homes and offices? Mostly because people are not keeping air fresh naturally, and also because some are unaware just how easy it is to freshen the air naturally. First, we’ll look at the best ways to keep air fresh in your home and office. Then if you still need them, we’ll look at natural more natural air fresheners.
Don’t go overboard on this. It’s far better to keep the air fresh, then buy items to mask bad air. Room mists and scented candles are unnecessary and expensive. Never use essential oils near pets or babies, or during pregnancy/nursing. If used, air rooms before use (many creatures like cats that sleep on beds, cannot break down essential oils in the liver).
Houseplants don’t ‘clean the air’ (a 30-year old NASA myth). And many houseplants are toxic to pets (including lilies and sago palm). Never place foliage near windows, to help stop birds flying into windows.
What’s Wrong with Conventional Air Fresheners?
Although legal to sell, the big brand air fresheners contain chemicals linked to many health problems from thyroid problems to cancer. They also contain artificial fragrances that don’t biodegrade. Many people also find the chemical smells, nearly impossible to remove.
Plug-in air fresheners are even worse, as the heat emitted makes them even more toxic. Many contain a chemical called naphthalene (a report by International Journal of Public Health found that pregnant women who used them were more likely to have babies with lung infections). Other side effects can be throat irritation, asthma and nosebleeds. They can also release volatile organic compounds, that form gas at room temperature.
Fresh air should be just that. Clean, well-ventilated spaces, rather than spraying scents. Musty smells are usually from hidden mould in ventilation systems, so sort this out, rather than just masking smells.
How to Freshen the Air, Naturally
- Bin/recycle-sell unwanted clutter (including unused furniture, which stops air circulating). Use a biodegradable unscented washing up liquid with hot water and compostable cloths, then deep-clean rooms, mop floors and use a quality vacuum cleaner or/and steam cleaner.
- Clean your windows naturally, then leave them ajar each day, to freshen the air, if safe to do so. If you live with cats above ground floor, don’t leave windows fully open (cats don’t always ‘right themselves’ if they fall – Flat Cats & Cataire both make window guards.
- Beat cushions, blanketes and rugs with a broom outside, then leave them over a bench for a few hours, before returning them inside.
- Strong odours can often come from spicy foods, smoke (use a personal ashtray outside to also reduce fire hazards) and smelly feet (choose good breathable vegan shoes).
- Smelly bathrooms are usually due to bad digestion. Cut down on booze (sticky smelly poo is usually a sign of too much dairy or gluten). Nutritionist Joy McCarthy says heavy meat-eaters generally have ‘seriously stinky poop’, due to too much acid and yeast, and a weak digestion from rotting meat in the large intestine.
- Don’t let unwashed clothes stack up in bedrooms (discarded tempting smelly socks are choking hazards for pets).
- Smelly pet fur is often due to not being outside enough (most vets sell Kong Zoom Groom that are gentle and effective – regularly wash pet bedding and toys with unscented laundry detergents and change cat litter frequently (choose natural brands with no scent). Also see how to find better pet food and let pets out for freqeunt pee breaks, to help avoid accidents. Also read on how to naturally give your dog a bath.
The Best Commercial Air Fresheners
- Charcoal bags have no fragrance and absorb smells over a large surface area (air them in the sunshine every few weeks, for longer life). The two main brands are PURGGO and Moso Bags which can also be used in cars to absorb cigarette and other odours. You can also use spent bamboo charcoal water filters as drawer fresheners (or place in smelly trainers).
- Never use essential oils in cars with babies or pets. (use a charcoal bag instead, above) But for others, Scent is a a car air freshener made by attaching a wooden tube to the air vent, to emit real essential oils. Cotton refills last 3 weeks – far better than those toxic ‘tree’ air fresheners.
- Stainless Steel Soaps are activated by water to ‘wash your hands’ to remove onion/garlic smells etc. They have mixed reviews, but won’t do any harm. Or use a coffee bar soap at the kitchen sink.
Should You Use Scented Candles?
Generally, no. Candles are always a fire hazard. If you do use them, choose biodegradable plant wax candles and follow safety tips. Never burn scented candles or diffusers near babies or pets (many creatures like cats, cannot break down aromatherapy oils in the liver).
For pet-free homes, ELM RD makes biodegradable reed diffusers in cardboard boxes with stainless steel lids. Their room mists are made with essential oils, instead of artificial fragrances.
Make Your Own Air Fresheners
Fill Bicarbonate of Soda (Nottinghamshire) is sold in a glass jar, with refill packs. Their Cleaning Vinegar (with refill) should not be used on stone, unsealed grout or waxed surfaces (test on out-of-sight areas, dilute if necessasry and wear gloves). Neither product is food-grade.
Use these unscented near pets/babies and during pregnancy/nursing, but still keep away from pets/children (wait until counters have dried and baking soda vacuumed up etc, to avoid accidental ingestion). Anyone else can add a few drops of essential oils, if wished.
- Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of white vinegar with 2 cups of water, then spray in bins, nappy pails and on counters. Soak a rag in white vinegar to wipe down counters, fridges and lunch boxes.
- Leave an open bowl of baking soda in the fridge, to absorb odours. You can also sprinkle it in smelly trainers, rubbish bins or on carpets overnight (vacuum the next morning).
- For smelly sinks and drains, sprinkle baking soda, then follow with white vinegar. It’s good fun as it will fizz like a volcano, to clean all the gunk out.
- To make your own solid air freshener, fill a glass jar 1/4 full with baking soda, and add 8 drops of essential oil (not near pets/babies or for pregnancy/nursing). Cover with foil or a paper coffee filter, then stab some holes in the top.
MADEKIND Natural Reed Diffusers (UK) are a zero waste alternative to reed diffusers sold in gift shops and supermarkets, which often contain toxic fragrance oils that can harm both us and the planet. These reed diffusers are also a safer alternative to candles. Scented with essential oils, the reeds are contained in an amber glass bottle with aluminium cap. Contains 6 reeds in a sustainable gift box.
Never use essential oils near pets (cats especially cannot break them down in their liver), nor use near babies or people with medical conditions like asthma, epilepsy or high blood pressure (also don’t use during pregnancy/nursing). These reeds contain flammable liquid, so do not light or ingest, nor place onto polished, painted, plastic or leather surfaces, or on electrical equipment.
The range includes:
