Safety of air fresheners: myths and reality

It takes a lot of effort to create a cozy home. In addition to order and stylish interior, odors play an important role. The aroma of freshly cooked food creates warmth and comfort, while unpleasant smells such as cinders or tobacco can spoil the impression. To get rid of unwanted odors, we often use air fresheners. However, it is worth considering how safe they are for our health and which ones are best for living spaces.

Problems with the chemical composition
Manufacturers of air fresheners claim that their products effectively destroy unpleasant odors. In reality, most of them simply mask one odor with another, stronger odor. A mixture of odors, such as cigarettes and air freshener, can make staying indoors unbearable. These fresheners often do not contain natural fragrances, but only chemicals, the concentration of which can be hazardous to health. The interaction of these chemicals with ozone leads to the formation of formaldehyde, which causes allergies and asthma. Therefore, it is not recommended to ventilate the room or use air purifiers when using fresheners.

Fire hazard
Air freshener cylinders are potentially fire hazardous. They should not be stored near heating appliances or open flames. Such fresheners have often caused fires in homes and offices.

Types of air fresheners
Air fresheners come in different types: oil-based, gel and aerosol. Some need to be sprayed manually, while others are mains-powered. Electric fresheners are convenient because they allow you to adjust the amount and frequency of atomization. If aerosol fresheners don't suit you, you can choose an alternative, such as Katrin's Ultimatic air freshener. This device is battery operated and has a fan that spreads the fragrance from a gel cartridge. However, such a freshener works continuously, you can only turn it off by removing the battery.

Professional air fresheners
Some air fresheners are mounted on doors and trigger every time they are opened. These are typically used in restrooms. Other models activate when the lights are turned on. There are also programmable electronic fresheners like those from Kimberlu-Clark. They can run for a set amount of time with necessary breaks, which is convenient for large rooms.

How to choose the right air freshener
There are many nuances to consider when choosing an air freshener. If you want to regulate the time and amount of atomization, and you do not have allergies, a normal cylinder will do. For automatic atomization, you can choose any of the models available on the market. It is important to install the device correctly - not too low from the floor and away from the hood, otherwise the aroma will escape into the ventilation. If the room is small, you should not use a professional freshener, as it is designed for large areas and intensive use. It is better to choose natural scents: pine, citrus, flowers. Sharp and persistent odors may not appeal to those who use perfume, as the freshener can interrupt the aroma of perfume.

Air freshener is a useful and convenient means of keeping your home or office clean and cozy. To prevent the freshener from becoming dangerous, choose the model carefully, follow the rules of use and storage, and remember that no artificial fragrance can replace the smell of cleanliness.