The holidays may be over, but it’s never a bad idea to make your home seem cozy and aromatic. Who doesn’t like to enter their space and be greeted by the scent of vanilla spice, even in the middle of Spring?
However, if you’re concerned about decreasing pollutants in your home, you should reconsider your preferred air freshener. Popular air fresheners contain endocrine disrupters such as phthalates (1). In fact, historical research indicates that a chemical molecule included in many air fresheners and other deodorizing items could be detrimental to the lungs (2).
That does not mean you have to give up all the comfort! Here are some tips:
1. Beeswax or Soy Candles
Candles are something I really enjoy, however they can also include carcinogens including phthalates, formaldehyde, toluene, and benzene. In high enough concentrations, these airborne particles may be toxic to health. According to research, burning a candle at home is unlikely to generate enough particulate matter to impair one’s health (3); nevertheless, during the colder months, when you tend to keep your windows closed, it may create a stronger vortex effect.
That does not imply that you should completely shun candles. You can search for beeswax or soy. If you decide to use beeswax, just make sure the label states that it is 100% pure; many candles use a mixture of paraffin and another wax but still refer to it as “beeswax.”
In terms of scent, look for goods that are phthalate-free, include only naturally derived essential oils, or further clarify that the “fragrance” is safe and natural.
![Here's A Safer Way to Make Your Home Smell Cozy this Spring](https://i0.wp.com/jasminefeliciano.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Heres-A-Safer-Way-to-Make-Your-Home-Smell-Cozy-this-Spring-pin.png?resize=683%2C1024&quality=80&ssl=1)
2. Room Sprays
If candles are not your thing, consider using a scented room spray for a moment’s burst of fragrance. These mists work incredibly well for disguising smells on cloth furnishings, revitalizing stale air, and rejuvenating garments in between laundries.
The problem is that a lot of prepared blends may contain the dangerous substances (benzene, phthalates) that we just covered (4). For this reason, you should always look for clear formulae that list all the ingredients and their purposes.
3. Simmer Pots
Try one of these cozy blends if you’re feeling like making your own melancholy scent at home. It’s also quite simple to prepare: Toss in a big pot of water with your preferred fruit and spices, bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for two to three hours.
You can find a ton of simmer pot recipes on Pinterest. One of my Spring faves comes from one of my favorite stores, Williams-Sonoma. So, feel free to let your imagination run wild. There are countless combinations of fragrances. Fun tip: When you’re done, let it cool in the refrigerator so you may reheat it the following day.
To Wrap Things Up
Choosing more natural sources of aroma, such as clean-burning soy candles and essential oils, is recommended because some air fresheners have been linked to carcinogens and detrimental health effects. Of course, there are safety risks specific to essential oils as well. For a list of consumer products that meet strict standards, I suggest visiting EWG-verified if you’re in need of more details.
Sources |
- NRDC: Clearing the Air – Hidden Hazards of Air Fresheners (pdf)
- Chemical in Many Air Fresheners May Reduce Lung Function | National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Human health risk evaluation of selected VOC, SVOC and particulate emissions from scented candles – PubMed (nih.gov)
- Head-space, small-chamber and in-vehicle tests for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from air fresheners for the Korean market – ScienceDirect
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