The obsession for “fresh” smelling air is skyrocketing. Melissa Breyer, of Care2, tells us that Americans will spend $1.72 billion on air fresheners this year — that’s enough money to buy 82,100 brand new Toyota Prius cars.

Air fresheners can provide pleasant smell associations, disguise bad odors, and just make us feel warm and woozy. And itchy and congested and achy and occasionally even convulsive and comatose. Here’s what you need to know about the dangers of air fresheners and tips for living without them.

Recent scientific studies found that 32% more babies suffered diarrhea in homes where air fresheners were used every day, compared with homes where they were used once a week or less, and they had significantly more earaches in these homes as well. Air fresheners also affected mothers—those who used them daily suffered nearly 10% more headaches. Most surprising is the finding that women who lived in homes with daily air freshener use had a 26% increased risk of depression.

So could the ingredients in them really be all that bad? Or is this hoopla just another “greenies” theme to harangue on? Well, the California Air Resources Board did an exhaustive study entitled “Indoor Air Chemistry: Cleaning Agents, Ozone and Toxic Air Contaminants” which comprised exacting analysis of 21 widely available products from ten large chain store retailers in California. The products included a range of household cleaners and plug-in air fresheners.

The conclusion of the study? It’s no joke — the junk we’re pumping into our air really IS all that bad: The use of some air fresheners produces toxic pollutants when used in the presence of ozone (a form of oxygen). Even minimal ozone concentrations were enough to drive significant indoor chemistry.

When the chemicals emitted from the air-fresheners are combined with ozone, pollutants of serious health concern are produced. These include formaldehyde (a known human carcinogen and a respiratory irritant with a very low threshold for health effects) and ultra-fine pollutant particles. Also of concern is the production of acetaldehyde, organic acids, other oxygenated intermediates, hydrogen peroxide, secondary organic aerosol, and hydroxyl radicals.

So what can we do — must we reconcile ourselves to living with bad odors? Nope. We can remove bad odors instead of masking them! Open windows. Clean the source of the odor with non-toxic products. Empty the garbage frequently. Burn 100 percent pure beeswax candles with 100 percent cotton wicks — they purify and clean the air. Use an open box of baking soda for smelly rooms.

AND, did you know indoor plants clear carbon dioxide and other toxins? So green the place up with houseplants.

Also, use green tea to refresh your home. The Book of Green Tea, by Diana Rosen (Storey Books, 1998), gives us the how-to. She says that after you’ve absorbed the health benefits from your cup of green tea, recycle the leaves. Use them to feed your house and garden plants–green tea is high in nitrogen–and they will even ward off pests and insects.

But more to the point of this column: Tea leaves have a long tradition of being used as a deodorizer. Tea is loaded with catechins, which we know as anti-oxidants. The catechins have antibacterial properties, which makes tea leaves great for fighting odor. So when finished brewing tea, place the leaves into a large strainer or colander. Press out as much moisture as possible, and then spread the leaves on unprinted paper. Let the leaves dry thoroughly, turning over several times in the process. Then, refresh away…

Carpets and Vacuum. Sprinkle dry tea leaves onto your carpet, crush them lightly and let them sit for 10 minutes, then vacuum. The carpet will be refreshed and the vacuum bag will be deodorized.


Yoga Mats. A strong pot of green tea is all you need to clean yoga mats and air mattresses.

Litter Boxes. Used green tea leaves are wonderful in kitty litter as an extra boost for diffusing odors, and they help deter fleas from both cats and dogs.

Pet Beds. Sprinkle dried used green tea leaves on your pet’s favorite pillow or bed. Great in doghouses or anywhere troublesome pet odors occur. Although a bit extravagant, loose leaf gunpowder tea is great for dogs to roll around in. The crunching of the pellets releases a wonderful aroma, and helps to scratch wherever dogs have an itch. The pellets help give your dog a more pleasant smell.

Refrigerators. Place used green tea bags or leaves in a small bowl, uncovered, in the frige to help absorb odors from onions and garlic for about three days. NO need to throw them out even then, just sprinkle the old leaves around your ferns, rosebushes, or other plants.

Kitchen Odors. Preparing fish? Chopping garlic? Rid your hands of the fish or garlic oils by rubbing them with wet green tea leaves, an instant deodorizer. The leaves are also great for deodorizing and cleaning the pan in which you cook fish or garlic. As well, rub wet tea leaves on cutting boards to remove odors there.

(Note: Wet tea leaves can stain, so if you are using wet tea leaves on or near a stainable surface be sure to test in an inconspicuous place first.)

Finally, perfume the air with natural scents: Simmer cinnamon and cloves, fresh ginger, or herbs in water on the stovetop. Simmer water with a drop or two of your favorite pure essential oil. Use organic sachets and potpourris.

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