“Consumers have a right to know what is put into their air fresheners and other everyday products they bring into their homes,” said Dr. Gina Solomon, NRDC senior scientist.
“There are too many products on the shelves that we assume are safe, but have never even been tested.”
The EWG evaluated Febreze in 2009 to determine its safety as a school cleaning supply. Results showed that the product (Hawaiian Aloha option) released 89 air contaminants, including one carcinogen. Yet the manufacturer discloses only three of those ingredients.
This was a particularly high number-the third highest released by any product tested. According to the label, the air freshener contains only an odor eliminator, water, fragrance, non-flammable natural propellant, and quality control ingredients.
Interestingly enough, the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) also tested 14 different air fresheners in 2007, including Febreze, and found they contained phthalates, which are hormone-disrupting chemicals and have been linked with childhood asthma. Again, none of the products disclosed these ingredients.
From the article "7 Reasons why you shouldn't use Febreeze- or other chemical air fresheners":
1. Febreze and other chemical air fresheners do not remove the odor molecules-they simply cover them up. The odor molecules are still there, you just can’t detect them anymore. So after spraying the product, you’re not only inhaling the odor molecules, but the air freshener chemicals as well.
2. Febreze contains chemicals linked to cancer.
3. Febreze contains chemicals linked to hormone disruption and developmental problems.
4. Febreze contains chemicals linked to neurotoxicity, which means the chemicals are poisonous to the nerves or nerve cells.
5. Febreze contains chemicals that irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs.
6. Febreze contains chemicals linked to allergies and asthma.
7. Febreze doesn’t disclose any of these potentially harmful ingredients, so if it weren’t for studies like these by the EWG and the NRDC, we would have no idea what we were sniffing.
Air Fresheners:
Common Dirty Ingredients
Acetaldehyde: on California’s Prop 65 list for cancer and reproductive toxicity.
Ethyl Acetate: a chemical toxic to the brain and nervous system.
BHT: linked with neurotoxicity, hormone disruption, allergies, and irritation to the skin, eyes, or lungs
Propylene glycol: linked with allergies and skin and eye irritation.
1,3-dichloro-2-propanol: also used in flame retardants, resins, plastics, and rubber; has been linked with cancer in animal studies, according to the California Environmental Protection Agency.
Want a safer alternative?
Know what's in your air fresheners. Create your own. Or you can also use Thieves Household Cleaner.
DIY Room Spray
2 oz bottle (I recommend this starter kit for all your DIY projects <<)
20 drops of Essential Oil (drop count varies)
Top with water
Combo Suggestions:
Floral:
6 drops Lavender
6 drops Geranium
3 drops Rosemary
3 drops Tea Tree
Anthropologie:
10 drops Grapefruit 8 drops Orange 6 drops Northern Lights Black Spruce or Idaho Blue Spruce 4 drops Geranium
Spa Day:
10 drops Lavender
10 drops Eucalyptus
Room Freshener:
12 drops Citrus Fresh
8 drops Thieves
Vanilla Pumkin:
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
3 drops orange EO
2 drops clove EO
1 drop cinnamon EO
The Ditch and Switch Challenge
We are taking a look in our homes for these toxic chemicals that are free ranging in our homes- from the bathroom to the kitchen cabinets and even sitting on your counters delivering your senses a wonderful aroma that could be harming your littles.
We challenge you this week to take a good hard look at all the things in your bathroom you use every day, those things you use to clean your skin and make you smell nice, they may be causing you and your family harm.
Join the challenge for FREE!
Schedule
Week 1: Bath and Body {Sept. 9-14}
Week 2: Household Cleaners {Sept. 16-20}
Week 3: Home Fragrances {Sept. 23-28}
Monday: Dangers of Candles and Diffusers
Tuesday: DIY Plug In Hack
Wednesday: DIY Room Sprays
Thursday: DIY Air Fresheners
Saturday: DIY Candles {a less toxic alternative}
Want to learn more about oils?
JPF Oils Made Simple Club
Join our oily community, where I'll take you on an exclusive journey of learning about all the essentials of an oily life.
Includes:
💧 Samples of each of the 12 oils in the Premium Starter Kit
✨ DIY Materials for Starter Units
✨ Thieves household cleaner sample
✨ Exclusive self-paced course with how-to's for benefits and oil uses
✨ Regular DIY recipes, blogs and free resources
✨ First look and dibs in our virtual DIY Workshops
*This community is only available for non-young living members.
Become a JPF Oils Made Simple Member for just $25 today!
Young Living
Premium Starter Kit
Skip the mini kit and upgrade the full-sized kit for the best deal!
It includes all the oils above, plus a diffuser, Ningxia Red packets, Thieves Hand Purifier, and Thieves Spray!
Essential Rewards
Reap all the benefits of membership when you click "YES" on both boxes when you enroll for Essential Rewards!
Happy Switching,
Kenzie and Lauren
References: Young Living, Environmental Working Group, CVSkinlabs.com