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How do I Choose the Best Air Freshener Spray?

By Elizabeth West
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 9,466
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When choosing an air freshener spray, it is best to consider whether it will be used to mask odors or simply to make the room smell pleasant. Some contain disinfectants that kill bacteria on contact to sanitize surfaces as well as freshen, and others neutralize airborne bacteria. Recent studies have suggested that certain chemicals in these products may cause adverse health effects. A natural air freshener product can be a good choice for those with allergies or who desire an organic alternative.

For masking odors, a scented air freshener spray might be enough if the odor isn’t too strong. Manufacturers produce varieties such as flowers, spices, fresh linen, and rain scents. A scented spray will not resolve the source of the odor, only cover it up. In order to remove the odor completely, whatever is causing it needs to be washed or contained. Scented sprays can help to enhance an already-clean area by making it smell good.

An air freshener spray that contains disinfectant kills bacteria on contact. It acts as an odor eliminator and gets rid of the source of smells. Disinfectant sprays are useful in bathrooms and sickrooms, where bacterial spread is a concern. They may contain ethanol or bleach, and are usually applied via aerosol or pump spray and left to dry.

Neutralizing air fresheners trap odor-causing irritants in the air or on fabrics and encapsulates them so they cannot be detected. Popular brands may contain hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin (HPßCD), a naturally-occurring starch molecule that forms a barrier around odor-causing irritants. This type of product is generally non-staining and safe for use on upholstery, which can be difficult to keep fresh and tends to absorb odors.

A study in 2007 showed that typical air freshener spray contains phthalates, a chemical that can disrupt hormones and is especially troublesome for young children and unborn babies. Many of the products studied did not list the chemical on the label. Although exposure to the chemical is negligible, using the air freshener spray with the least amount of phthalates has been recommended.

Natural alternatives to chemical air freshener spray include baking soda, vinegar, citrus, and zeolites. Baking soda can be put inside the refrigerator to eliminate odors left by strong or decayed foods, or sprinkled on the carpet before vacuuming. Vinegar is helpful as a cleanser and a bowl of it left out overnight will cause cooking or smoke smells to vanish. Citrus is a popular, pleasant scent and deodorizer. Zeolites are volcanic minerals that absorb contaminates and can be recharged with sunlight, making them an economical and healthy alternative for odor removal.

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Discussion Comments
By Wisedly33 — On Aug 13, 2014

I think you need to think about what smells good in the long term. I prefer more natural scents, like citrus, pine or cinnamon. Those seem to get rid of the odors, and they don't get on my nerves like the really floral scents do.

I hate those sicky-sweet coconut or berry scented air fresheners. They smell like a discount perfume counter. Awful. I got some spruce air freshener around Christmas that was great. Had a nice, clean scent. I've also had some apple cinnamon freshener that was good. Mostly, I look for a scent that is pleasant and not overpowering.

By Scrbblchick — On Aug 12, 2014

I got hold of some air freshener that was citrus based and I swear, it would get rid of any odor you threw at it. It could make a high school boys locker room smell good! It used concentrated citrus oils and one spritz was enough to deodorize the whole room.

I need to find some more of that stuff. I have two cats who can create notably stinky litterboxes and that spray would take care of the problem. We clean the boxes regularly, but right after a deposit, the room can usually use some deodorizing. That citrus stuff was more expensive, but it worked great.

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