Who doesn’t love the scent of a fresh, clean home? How about a cinnamon apple scented candle burning on the stove? Perhaps you prefer to plug-in a fragrance to your electrical outlet, maybe even one in every room as I used to do. How about one in your car?  Oh and don’t forget that contraption on the wall or counter that shoots out the mist on a timer, just as you walk by. Well I’m sure your home smells delightful. But did you know those delightful scents can be full of toxic, hormone disrupting and cancer causing chemicals?

TOXIC INGREDIENTS POSSIBLY IN YOUR AIR FRESHENERS:

1. Phthalates – These toxins get released into the air, you breathe them in and they go into your bloodstream. Phthalates can alter your hormones and are linked to cancer and other health issues. *CAUTION* – Most products won’t state, “hey we have phthalates in here.” It is a chemical in fragrance.  So if your air freshener simply lists “fragrance” as one of the ingredients, it very well may contain toxic phthalates. Don’t be fooled by labels that say “contains natural ingredients” or “made with essential oils”. Read the ingredients, as the product still made contain numerous toxic ingredients along with that 1 good ingredient. Beware of tricky advertising.
2. Formaldehyde – Cancer causing.
3. Petroleum – Same compound in gasoline.
4. Also may include many other toxins that are hormone disruptors, allergens, cause birth defects & can cause cancer.

HOW TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM:

While it’s not 100% possible to rid your home of all toxic chemicals, you can make small changes. I literally used to spray my whole house and especially my bedroom with a popular air freshener, just before I would lay down for bed. I thought I was breathing in lovely aromas to help me relax. Boy was I wrong! I personally still have a long way to go. I would love to be more natural in my beauty and skincare routine and lifestyle as a whole, but I am still in the beginning stages. I have made some changes in some skincare items. I still use perfume since I can’t find a natural one that I like yet. I also still use some cleaning supplies that are full of chemicals, but I am really trying to use natural cleaners as much as possible. I have switched to essential oils and spices for air freshener and I almost never use synthetic air fresheners, plug-ins or candles anymore. I still have a long way to go with my beauty items, but like I said, small changes can help.

TIPS & TRICKS:

• Use a good quality air purifier (this really makes a difference in cleaning your air). I use this one.
• Vacuum any carpeted areas on a regular basis.
• Use white vinegar to clean. *hint* Add a couple drops of essential oil to change the scent. FYI, the scent of the vinegar disappears once it dries.  Here are the essential oils I love to use.
• Use baking soda to clean and to absorb odors.
• Use essential oils in a mister/diffuser to scent the air. I also use this brand of essential oils and this diffuser.
• Make your own DIY air fresheners and DIY cleaning products.
• Use a non-scented, battery operated flameless candle for decorating. (I 1st bought some very inexpensive ones and was not impressed so I kept going back to real candles…until I upgraded to these flameless candles. They are pricey but they look like the real thing).
• To make safer, smarter choices regarding cosmetics, sunscreen, cleaning products, food, consumer products, toxins  and much more, go to www.ewg.org