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Air fresheners are as essential to your home as an all-purpose cleaner or a disinfectant spray. Whenever you make a stink in the bathroom or left old trash in the can for too long, a can of sweet smelling mist is just the thing to leave your living space with a fresh and clean aroma.
But because air fresheners typically contain aerosol, when you spray it you breathe in thousands of tiny liquid droplets as they float in the air. Some air fresheners contain chemical substances that are harmful for humans and animals to ingest. Not only that, but these same chemicals can leave a damaging environmental footprint.
In this article, we’ll explain the difference between natural air fresheners and regular ones, the toxic chemicals you’ll find in the latter, and which natural air fresheners are the best on the internet.
Why A Natural Air Freshener?
Natural air fresheners are a far better choice than the regular kind. Popular brands like Febreze contain chemicals that may make you feel sick and pollute the air that you just want to smell better. Natural versions, on the other hand, use ingredients sourced directly from nature itself that won’t have a toxic impact on your body or the world around you.
| Rating | Image | Title | Buy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TopBest overall |  | Lavender Linen and Room Spray, Pure Lavender Essential Oil Pillow Spray, Fabric Spray, Natural Aromatherapy Sleep Spray and Bathroom Spray for Relaxation and Stress Relief | Check Price | |
| Best for pets |  | Fresh Wave Odor Eliminator Spray & Air Freshener, 8 fl. oz, Natural Ingredients (Pack of 2) | Check Price | |
| Best bag |  | MOSO NATURAL: The Original Air Purifying Bag. for Cars, Closets, Bathrooms, Pet Areas. an Unscented, Chemical-Free Odor Eliminator. 200g 4 Pack (Charcoal) | Check Price |
How Are The Chemicals In Fresheners Harmful To Your Health?
In a survey of 25 different scented household products, including air fresheners, researchers found that they emitted 100 VOCs, or volatile organic compounds into the air. 24 of those are considered toxic or hazardous according to federal law. When they react with ozone, some of these substances can create even more dangerous VOCs such as formaldehyde.
Scientists have linked volatile organic compounds to respiratory issues such as allergies in humans. A study published in 2010 revealed that children who breathed in the air freshener chemicals propylene glycol and glycol ethers, had higher rates of asthma. And not only does inhaling or ingesting formaldehyde induces skin irritation and breathing problems, it is also classified as a probable carcinogen by the EPA.
Both spray and plug in fresheners also release another type of toxic substance that is worrisome, especially for pregnant women and children: phthalates. Phthalates are a type of chemical that can cause birth defects and reproductive issues in a human if they are exposed to large amounts of them. They’re found in many common household items, including toys, nail polish, and anything that contains plastic.
Air fresheners are designed to eliminate or cover up smells, but what is no longer covered up is how toxic they are to our health. Unfortunately, that’s not all the damage that the chemicals they contain can cause, either.
How Are The Chemicals In Fresheners Harmful To The Environment?
VOCs not only cause health problems for human beings; they also have a disastrous impact on the natural world. Studies have shown that volatile organic compounds damage the ozone layer in the earth’s atmosphere that protects our planet from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. They also contribute to the formation of photochemical smog, a swampy soup of ground level ozone and air pollutants that damages plants and creates a toxic breathing environment for both humans and animals.
Best Natural Air Freshener
Considering the enormously negative impact that regular air fresheners have on human health and our environment, it’s imperative to switch to natural air fresheners that don’t contain any harmful chemicals. We’ve collected a list of the best natural air fresheners on the internet and their pros and cons below.
Grow Fragrance
Check Price on Amazon Grow Fragrance Spray is made from 100% plant-based ingredients, and completely free of toxins, parabens, phthalates, or aerosols. The Grow brand uses essential oils to add a natural smell to their spray, which means you’ll still be able to infuse your room with the scents you love – pine, citrus, lavender, rose, and bamboo – naturally! You can also spray it on furniture and fabrics to eliminate odors everywhere in your home.
There’s really nothing to hate and everything to love about this product. It’s even budget friendly – as of the day of this writing, it only costs $12.99 on Amazon.
Pros:
- 100% plant-based
- Free of toxins, parabens, phthalates, and aerosols
- Comes in several different popular scents
- Can be sprayed on fabric and furniture
Cons:
- None!
Positive Essence Aromatic Linen And Room Spray
Check Price on Amazon This Linen and Room Spray by Positive Essence is a safe, natural alternative to air fresheners. Its ingredients are 100% plant-based, and it contains no aerosols, artificial fragrances, parabens, phthalates, PFAs, or other harsh chemicals. It’s scented with 100% pure essential oils in a variety of fresh scents, including thai lemongrass, lavender, mandarin orange, vanilla, and eucalyptus and wild mint. It has a wide range of applications: as a spray for the air, linens, and shoes, and even as aromatherapy to promote relaxation and sleep.
Like the Glow Spray, this product is fairly expensive at $12.99 for a 4 fl oz bottle from Amazon. And the bottle is made from 100% recycled materials, so you’ll feel ethical as well as budget-friendly when you purchase it.
Pros:
- 100% plant-based
- Free of aerosols, artificial fragrances, parabens, phthalates, PFAs, and harsh chemicals
- Scented with 100% pure essential oils
- Bottle is made from 100% recycled materials
- Can be sprayed on fabrics and furniture
Cons:
- None!
Fresh Wave Odor Eliminator Spray
Check Price on Amazon Fresh Wave Odor Eliminator Spray is labeled as a “Safer Choice” by the EPA. It’s natural, with no harsh chemicals, and is non-toxic. It’s a great choice for an air freshener if you have a family and/or pets. It’s scented with plant oils and comes in options like pine needle, lime, clove, anise, and cedarwood. You can use it on furniture and fabrics as well as in the air, perfect for pet owners who want to neutralize their furry friends’ unsavory odors.
We would like to add the following disclaimer to this product: while it does say it’s non-toxic and safe for humans and animals, it does not say that it doesn’t contain any artificial ingredients. It is, however, biodegradable, and the bottle is recyclable.
Pros:
- Contains natural ingredients
- Free of toxins and harsh chemicals
- Biodegradable
- Safe for humans and pets
Cons:
- Does not specifically state that all its ingredients are natural, leaving room for artificial ingredients to be present
PRODUCTS4FUTURE Air Purifying Bags
Check Price on Amazon These Air Purifying Bags by PRODUCTS4FUTURE are a safe, fun alternative to spray air fresheners. Each bag is made of organic bamboo and free of chemicals, and contains 200 grams of activated charcoal. The charcoal acts as a deodorizer and also absorbs moisture. To “clean” the bags, or eliminate the odors that they absorbed, you just have to leave them out in the sunlight for 1-2 hours. They will work for up to 2 years, after which the company says you can recycle them in your garden. You, your pets, and your family members will all enjoy the fresh, clean air in your living space with these charming little purifying bags scattered around the house.
Pros:
- Made of organic bamboo and charcoal
- Absorbs and eliminates moisture and odors
- Non-toxic and safe for humans and animals
- Small and portable
- Comes in a 4-pack so you can use them all over your home (or even in your vehicle)
Cons:
- Only works on 100 square feet, so if you have large space, you’ll need more than one
MOSO NATURAL Air Purifying Bag
Check Price on Amazon The MOSO NATURAL Air Purifying Bag is 100% fragrance and chemical free. It absorbs and eliminates odors using moso bamboo charcoal in areas up to 90 feet square. It’s suggested that you place the bag out in the sunlight outside once a month for an hour so it can release the smells it has absorbed. After 2 years, you can reuse the charcoal in your garden. This is a safe, natural alternative to spray air fresheners that will truly get rid of the odors in your home, not just mask them.
Pros:
- Filled with moso bamboo charcoal, a natural deodorizer
- Free of fragrances and chemicals
- Absorbs and eliminates moisture and odors
- Non-toxic and safe for humans and animals
- Small and portable
- Comes in a 4-pack so you can use them all over your home (or even in your vehicle)
- Charcoal is biodegradable
Cons:
- Only eliminates odors within a 90 square foot space
Verdict: Positive Essence Aromatic Linen And Room Spray Is The Best Natural Air Freshener
If you’re looking for a truly natural air freshener in a spray bottle form, the Aromatic Linen and Room Spray by Positive Essence is our top recommendation. Its ingredients are totally plant-based, and it doesn’t contain any of the harmful components we discussed earlier in the article, like VOCs, artificial fragrances, and phthalates. The 100% pure essential oils it contains are not just good to smell, but they also eliminate odors and leave your home smelling beautiful. The oils can also work as aromatherapy and promote feelings of calmness and relaxation. Finally, this product is non-toxic, so it is safe for humans*.
*For pets, we recommend Fresh Wave Odor Eliminator or an air purifying bag, as these are specifically labeled “safe” for pets.
Natural Air Fresheners Q&A
Below are some commonly asked questions and answers regarding natural air fresheners.
How do I make a natural air freshener with essential oils?
You can make your own natural air freshener at home by filling a spray bottle with ½ cup to a full cup of water, then adding eight drops each of up to three different types of essential oil.
Are plug in air fresheners safe?
No. Plug in air fresheners release phthalates, a type of toxic chemical that causes birth defects and reproductive issues in children and adults.
What air fresheners are safe for babies?
We recommend using Grow Fragrance or Positive Essence air refreshers, as they contain all natural ingredients, are non-toxic and use essential oils to eliminate odors rather than hide them.
What air fresheners are safe for cats?
The Fresh Wave Odor Eliminator or the air purifying bags by PRODUCTS4FUTURE and MOSO NATURAL are our top picks for fresheners that are safe for cats.
Why are air fresheners bad for the environment?
Air fresheners that are not all natural contain VOCs, or volatile organic compounds. These substances are harsh chemicals that damage the earth’s protective ozone layer, but they also contribute to the formation of ground level smog. Smog is a type of air pollution that damages plants and makes breathing more difficult for humans and animals.
Are there VOCs in air fresheners?
Yes. Air fresheners typically found at the store have been found to contain 100 VOCs, with 24 of them considered toxic to human health according to EPA guidelines.
