Why That “Fresh” Scent Might Be Polluting Your Home

Many people use air fresheners to make their homes smell better. But for all those good smells, there are usually dozens of chemicals that don’t belong in your lungs. A lot of these sprays, plug-ins, and gels contain some organic volatile compounds or VOCs. These VOCS can significantly increase the pollution inside your home.

Some VOCs can create short-term health concerns, such as headaches or dizziness and irritation to the throat. Others may cause larger health problems later. And air fresheners marketed as “natural” or “green” many times still harbor synthetic fragrance chemicals that haven’t been adequately tested indoors for safety.

Your Body Might Be Telling You Something

If you’ve ever used an air freshener and felt “off” afterward, your body might be trying to tell you something. Perhaps your nose began burning, or you developed a headache. That’s not your imagination. Your body is actually reacting to something it does not want. Not to mention, the particles and gases emitted by these items are of particular concern to those with asthma or allergies. In homes where the air isn’t circulating well, those particles can accumulate in no time.

Even pets can be affected. Cats and dogs share our air. If your pet begins sneezing or acting funny after you use a new plug-in air freshener or room spray, then this may be the cause.

Covering up Odors Is Not the Same as Cleaning

Air fresheners don’t actually eliminate odors; they mask them. For instance, if you have a stinky trash can and you spray something fruity into it, the fragrance may trick you into believing that the problem is solved. The actual issue hasn’t been fixed, though.

A more effective approach to odors is pinning down where they’re coming from and eliminating them. Clearing out the trash, washing fabrics, and opening windows can go a lot further than any spritz of fragrance could. It might be more time-consuming, but in the long run, it’s healthier.

Healthier Alternatives That Actually Work

There are safer alternatives to making your home smell nice. If you open a door or some windows, new air will rush in and old stuffy air will be pushed out. Add a light scent without chemicals by boiling some cinnamon sticks or citrus peels in water. It can even be as simple as setting a bowl of baking soda on the counter to absorb bad odors without introducing any new ones.

If you like the idea of scented spaces, using an essential oil diffuser intermittently with some air flow can potentially be a good option. But then again, this can turn bad if you go overboard and use multiple diffusers at once or go hard on the essential oils.

In addition to being mindful about what you spray, you can take other measures to improve your indoor air quality. One way you can do this is to consult with a professional technician and schedule an air quality test. To improve the air quality in your Santa Barbara, CA home, call Crocker Refrigeration Heating and Air.