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Air Fresheners

posted by Annie B. Bond Feb 8, 1999 8:32 pm
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I went to my local supermarket to see what is in air fresheners these days,
and the label on the first product I looked at read: “This product is banned
in California because it causes cancer.” It contained dichlorobenzene, a
chemical that is extremely toxic, a central nervous system depressant, a
kidney and liver poison, and one of the chlorinated hydrocarbons that is
long-lasting in the environment and is stored in body fat.

Make your own simple, yet effective, air fresheners instead!

  • Baking soda neutralizes acid odors, and vinegar neutralizes alkaline odors.
    You don’t need much more than these two ingredients to solve most odor
    problems.

  • Health food stores sell air fresheners that are made of herbs.
  • The mineral zeolite works to reduce odors. The mineral is available in bags
    that can be placed in closets and other places where the air gets stale.
More on Non-Toxic Cleaning (110 articles available)
More from Annie B. Bond (3188 articles available)

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Anderson Laboratories, Inc.

Some of the very best research into a number of consumer products including air fresheners is done at Anderson Laboratories. Buy their consumer guide on air fresheners, or their video illustrating the neurotoxic effects of air fresheners. Mice developed abnormal gait, reflexes, balance, and athletic performance. buy now
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10 Comments       add a comment »
Cynthia D.

some say this : BURNING SOY CANDLES helps clean the air of impurities and it is supposed to help rid bacteria... Please don't use Wax candles , because the bees are having troubles right now so they say...

Layla Baskin

my mother is a smoker along with her husband...the smell is in their rooms, to cure it, they spray Air Freshner which is aweful...its just as bad as their smoke. What green method can i offer them instead of over the counter sprays ....

Erin Hanson

Mary,
I just read another article on this website about the wonders of green tea. Apparently green tea leaves work well in litter boxes while simultaneously acting as a repellant for parasites. (www.care2.com/greenliving/green-tea-to-refresh-your-home.html

Mary Vecchio

A safe product for controlling odors from cat boxes. I use "The Worlds Best Cat Litter"and still have odors from the box. We clean the box twice a day. It permeates throughout house, and we have very large home. Please, any advice? We love our pets. Mary

Tiffany D.

I like to make my own carpet freshner by mixing 2 cups of baking soda with about 20 drops of lemongrass essential oil. I mix it really well with a fork and funnel the mixture into an old glass jar with a lid that I've poked holes into so I can shake it onto the carpet. I usually leave it on while I'm cleaning the rest of my house and then vaccum it up at the very end. The baking soda neutralizes odors in the carpet and the lemongrass EO adds a wonderful clean fragrance to the whole house. Makes the vaccum stay fresh and clean too which is an added bonus!

Kay Mcpherson

Vinegar works well to clean one's home of odors..yes, the vinegar smells but, it lasts for a very short while and then the air smells so clean...I would rather use that than something that contains chemicals and can cause cancer.

Tiger Rose

Vinegar is NO solution. Vinegar stinks worse than cat urine. I can always tell when some fool uses vinegar in their house, because the vinegar makes it reek so badly I immediately have to leave.

Jessica May

A great alternative to air fresheners is Air Purification!!
www.EcoQuest.com/WellLiving

Lory S.
  • Lory S. says
  • May 15, 2007 5:47 AM

Where can I find mineral zeolite that isn't 25,000 lbs for commercial uses?

Tamara Alnabulsi

thanks alot for the information, it's really useful

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Copyright (c) 2000 by Care2.com, Inc.

Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on Care2.com. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider.

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