Categories: Quick Tips

Ditch the Scents: Friday Quickie

Ever walk into a bathroom after someone had left it a little… smelly?

I’m not talking about that kind of smell. After all, we are all mammals. I’m talking the un-natural, flowery (or fruit) chemical-laden smell of an air freshener spray. Air fresheners are a billion dollar business and are linked to numerous health problems including headaches, alter hormone levels, allergic symptoms and asthma. Plus, they contain phthalates which are bad news for your reproductive system (male or female) and are linked to birth defects – even in your cosmetics (regardless of what Katie Couric’s “experts” say).  Personally, I’ve gagged a few times at the now petunia-‘fresh’, artificially-flavored overwhelming.

What are viable alternatives?

Try soy candles, dried flowers and nature’s scents like lemon and oranges with baking soda. In fact, try any of these 12 natural DIY air fresheners.

Readers, what do you use for a natural air freshener?

Julie Hancher

Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake.

Share
Published by
Julie Hancher
Tags: Quick Tips

Recent Posts

Greening Avenue of the Arts, July 4th heat wave, & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news: New beautification efforts along Broad Street. Construction of…

3 days ago

Urban trees aren’t just nice, scientists say — they’re mandatory

"This story was originally published by Grist. Sign up for Grist's weekly newsletter here." They…

4 days ago

Mussels clean canal, new housing budget, & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news: Mussels clean the Manayunk Canal. Once trash-filled and…

1 week ago

Dinosaur Trail path to connect Gloucester County towns and institutions

A multi-use trail would allow pedestrians and bikes to travel from Rowan University to the…

2 weeks ago

Floatlab on Schuylkill, PGW debates electric vs gas future, new pedestrian safety measures & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news:  Heat health emergency ends. Last week, the Department…

2 weeks ago

Aging infrastructure, extreme weather, and pollution: Why drinking water is under pressure

Pennsylvania’s century-old water infrastructure faces modern climate threats. Here’s why it’s complicated. The U.S. has…

3 weeks ago