Are Plug-In Air Fresheners Safe? Uncovering The Hidden Truth
Have you ever stepped into a store or an office that literally smelled rich and wealthy? Or have you ever shopped for a house and just wanted to stay in a particular one because it smelled cozy? It’s amazing what a scent can do! Some scents make you want to stay, while others make you want to run for your life. Some scents are relaxing and welcoming, while others are gaudy and obnoxious.
In today’s fast-paced world, creating a pleasant and inviting home atmosphere is more important than ever. One popular method to achieve this is by means of plug-in air fresheners. These devices promise to infuse your living space with delightful fragrances, making your home smell amazing. But have you ever wondered if plug-in air fresheners are truly safe? Today, we delve into the potential health risks associated with these products and explore whether their convenience and pleasant aromas are worth the potential health effects.
Are Plug-In Air Fresheners Safe?
To begin with, plug-in air fresheners are small electrical devices that contain aromatic mixtures. When you plug the device into an outlet, it starts heating the fragrance mixture and releasing it into the air. This creates a continuous aroma that can mask unpleasant odors and add a pleasant one to your home environment. For aromatic mixtures, these devices often use essential oils, fragrances, and other chemicals designed to evaporate slowly over time.
Reportedly, seventy-one percent of US households purchase air care products in various forms. In addition to plug-ins, they include scented aerosol sprays, pump sprays, diffusers, gels, and candles. One of the benefits of air care devices is that they eliminate indoor malodors that can negatively impact the quality of life, hygiene, and the monetary value of homes and cars. Moreover, a pleasant scent can positively affect your mood, reduce stress, and enhance your memory (source).
On the other hand, despite the positive benefits associated with air care products, there are growing concerns about their safety. Mainly, these concerns arise from the fact that you don’t only smell the aroma, but you also inhale it. In other words, all the chemicals the aroma consists of end up in your body.
For your information, the 2022 edition of the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) Transparency List includes 3,619 ingredients. Of them, 3,224 are fragrance ingredients such as scent releasers and odor maskers. And 395 of them are functional ingredients such as antioxidants, preservatives, diluents, solvents, fixatives, and colors.
Side Effects Of Plug-In Air Fresheners
Because a typical fragrance mixture in a plug-in air care device consists of multiple ingredients, the side effects will depend on the level of exposure to those that are particularly concerning.
For example, plug-in air fresheners emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can contribute to indoor air pollution (source and source). The VOCs are released as the air fresheners heat up, and prolonged exposure can lead to a range of health effects. Indeed, common ingredients found in these air care devices have been linked to adverse health outcomes.
Additionally, fragrance mixtures contain recognized allergens such as eugenol, coumarin, linalool, limonene, and others. They can be present both in synthetic fragrance ingredients and natural fragrance ingredients, such as essential oils. They can also be added to fragrances as isolates, i.e., stand-alone ingredients. You can see the full list of these allergens in my post Hypoallergenic Perfumes.
Consequently, due to potential presence of toxic volatile organic compounds and allergens in plug-in air fresheners, some potential health risks associated with their use include:
- respiratory issues
- allergic reactions
- hormone disruption, and
- general toxicity.
Respiratory Issues
First, exposure to VOCs and other chemicals in plug-in air fresheners can irritate the respiratory system. This can lead to such symptoms as coughing, sneezing, and shortness of breath. Therefore, if you have asthma or other preexisting respiratory conditions, you may want to stay away from using these products. (source)
Allergic Reactions
Second, fragrances in plug-in air fresheners can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Symptoms may include skin rashes, headaches, and watery eyes. The synthetic fragrances used in these products often contain dozens of chemicals, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of the allergic reaction. (source)
Thus, in its 2011 “Fragrance Allergens In Cosmetic Products” report, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) classifies fragrance ingredients as follows:
- “established contact allergens”
- “possible contact allergens”
- “possible sensitizers,” and
- “skin sensitizers.”
Hormone Disruption
Next, some chemicals found in plug-in air fresheners can increase the risk of endocrine disruption. To clarify, these substances have a potential to interfere with hormone function, potentially leading to reproductive issues, developmental problems, and other long-term health effects. (source)
General Toxicity
Last, certain ingredients in plug-in air fresheners, like formaldehyde, are classified as carcinogens. Hence, long-term exposure to these toxic chemicals can increase the risk of developing cancer. Specifically, formaldehyde is commonly used as a preservative and can be found in a variety of household products, including air fresheners. Learn how to protect yourself from formaldehyde in products and how to clean your house without chemicals.
In addition, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) characterizes some fragrance ingredients as:
- “harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects”
- “causing serious skin irritation and an allergic skin reaction”
- “causing serious eye damage and severe skin burns”
- “causing respiratory irritation”
- “causing drowsiness or dizziness,” and even
- “damaging to fertility or the unborn child.”
Are Plug-In Air Fresheners Toxic To Pets?
To start with, veterinarians believe that pet owners should be particularly cautious when using plug-in air fresheners. Animals are often more sensitive to chemicals than humans, and exposure to the VOCs and other harmful substances in these products can pose significant health risks to pets.
Symptoms in pets may include:
- eye, nose, and throat irritation
- loss of coordination
- lethargy
- vomiting, and
- difficulty breathing.
In severe cases, prolonged exposure could lead to more serious health issues, such as damage to the liver, kidney, and central nervous system, and could even be fatal. Those VOCS that are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans can cause cancer in animals, too. (source)
“Not-A-Fan” Plug-Ins
First off, there are not that many options for plug-in air fresheners on the market, especially those that would disclose their ingredients. Therefore, the plug-ins I placed in the “not-a-fan” category are those whose ingredients I did not see disclosed on their websites. These include:
- Air Wick
- Bath & Body Works, and
- Glade.
Consequently, the difference between the “not-a-fan” and “better” categories is that the products in the “better” category have disclosed ingredients. This gives you the option of learning about them and making an informed decision about their safety.
In fact, I researched every disclosed fragrance sub-ingredient for certain scents of the products in the “better” category using credible sources, some of which you can see here.
Read on to see what I discovered.
“Better” Plug-Ins
The following two products disclose their ingredients on the Smart Label website:
- Enviroscent and
- Febreze.
First, the Spring Water & Lotus scent for Enviroscent Plug Hub consists of 30 fragrance sub-ingredients, as listed by Smart Label. Based on my research into these ingredients, they include:
- recognized allergens (e.g., linalool, limonene, geraniol, citral, citronellol)
- skin sensitizers (e.g., cyclamen aldehyde, cedramber)
- possible sensitizers and contact allergens (e.g., dihydro myrcenol, undecavertol, benzyl acetate)
- ingredients that cause serious eye and skin irritation and may cause drowsiness and dizziness (e.g., florosa BM/pyranol, dihydro myrcenol, calone)
- ingredients toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects (e.g., undecavertol, benzyl acetate, (Z)-3-hexenyl salicylate).
Next, the Fresh-Pressed Apple scent for Febreze Plug-In Air Freshener contains 98 fragrance sub-ingredients, as listed by Smart Label. Based on my research into these ingredients, they include:
- recognized allergens (e.g., linalool, limonene, cinnamal)
- skin sensitizers (e.g., linalyl acetate, methylcinnamic aldehyde, methylcyclopentadecenone, heliotropine)
- established contact allergens (e.g., beta-caryophyllene, linalyl acetate, alpha-damascone)
- possible sensitizers and contact allergens (e.g., dihydro myrcenol, undecavertol, benzyl acetate)
- substances that are toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects (e.g., trimethylhexyl acetate, octanal, terpineol acetate, anisaldehyde)
- ingredients causing serious eye irritation (e.g., 3-hexenol, acetophenone, diethyl malonate, decanal)
- ingredients that may cause skin irritation (e.g., dimethyl phenethyl butyrate, geranyl acetate)
- substances that may cause respiratory irritation (e.g., diethyl malonate)
- ingredients suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child (e.g., heliotropine).
“Almost Better” Air Freshener
This category has only one candidate, namely:
- Pura.
Instead of providing full lists of ingredients for their fragrances, Pura discloses only recognized allergens. Hence, technically, Pura is somewhere between the “not-a-fan” and “better” categories. For instance, the Lemon, Verbena & Cedar scent contains the following recognized allergens, as disclosed on the Pura website:
- amyl cinnamal
- anisyl alcohol
- benzyl benzoate
- benzyl salicylate
- citral
- citronellol
- coumarin
- d’limonene
- eugenol
- farnesol
- geraniol
- hexyl cinnamaldehyde
- hydroxycitronellal, and
- linalool.
Again, this is not a full list of ingredients. In other words, we do not know what other substances constitute each scent for Pura air fresheners, and what health risks they carry.
As you can see, plug-in air fresheners’ fragrances are made up of multiple ingredients that have various potential health risks. Once you plug them in, you inhale those ingredients hour after hour, day after day non-stop. Personally, I don’t think it’s a good idea. For this reason, I do not have the “best” category for plug-in air fresheners.
Frankly, to freshen up my home space, I am more than happy with just giving it a good fresh air flow by leaving my windows open for several minutes. However, if you think you need something more than that, read on to know my opinion about the alternatives to air fresheners.
Alternatives To Plug-In Air Fresheners
If you’re concerned about the potential health risks of plug-in air fresheners, there are safer alternatives that can help you maintain a pleasant home environment without compromising your health. Here are some effective and natural options:
- essential oil diffusers
- natural potpourri
- beeswax candles
- baking soda, and
- air purifiers.
Essential Oil Diffusers
For starters, essential oil diffusers use water and natural essential oils to disperse a fragrant mist into the air. While they are somewhat a healthier alternative to plug-in air fresheners because they do not contain synthetic chemicals, they are not void of health concerns. They can still increase the risk of allergies and breathing distress (source).
In addition, if you are pregnant or planning to be, check out the list of essential oils and other chemicals to avoid throughout pregnancy, labor, and breastfeeding. They can be harmful to pets as well.
Ultimately, essential oils must be handled with caution. If you want to use diffusers, it is best to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and the principles of aromatherapy. Personally, while I am okay with small amounts of essential oils in my skincare and cleaning products, I don’t diffuse essential oils.
Natural Potpourri
For those of you who are into crafts, creating your own potpourri using dried flowers, herbs, and spices would be an easy and safe way to add a pleasant scent to your home. You can customize the blend to your liking and avoid any synthetic fragrances or toxic chemicals. Simply place the potpourri in bowls or sachets around your home for a natural, long-lasting fragrance.
Beeswax Candles
Alternatively, consider using beeswax candles as a natural and non-toxic substitute to conventional scented candles. They emit a subtle, honey-like fragrance and can help purify the air by releasing negative ions. Unlike paraffin candles, beeswax candles do not release harmful chemicals when burned.
If you want to go romantic, consider using safe Fontana Beeswax Candles or Natural Sloth Wood Wick Candles.
Actually, I have a blog post devoted to non-toxic candles, so be sure to check it out. Also, if you are into Bath And Body Works candles, read my post about them before making your next purchase.
Baking Soda
Although baking soda will not add any pleasant aroma to your room, it works as a powerful natural deodorizer. In other words, you can use it to neutralize malodors in your home. Place an open box or a bowl of baking soda in areas with strong odors, such as the kitchen or bathroom. You can also use it as a carpet freshener by sprinkling it on carpets, letting it sit for a few minutes, and then vacuuming it up.
Air Purifier
Just like baking soda, a mobile air purifier will not add a pleasant scent to your home environment, but it will help with reducing indoor air pollution.
For instance, Austin Air Healthmate Plus was specially designed to tackle formaldehyde and other VOCs, especially during wild fires. Personally, I use both Austin Air Healthmate Plus and Air Doctor 5500 in my house to take care of VOCs and ultrafine particulates. You can see other models of air purifiers in my shop.
Conclusion: Are Plug-In Air Fresheners Safe?
In My Opinion, Plug-In Air Fresheners Are Not Safe Because Many Ingredients In Their Fragrances Are Linked To Health Risks, Including Allergies And Endocrine Disruption.
In conclusion, while plug-in air fresheners can make your home smell inviting, you cannot ignore the potential health risks associated with their use. The presence of volatile organic compounds, synthetic fragrances, and other toxic chemicals can contribute to indoor air pollution and pose a range of potential health effects.
By opting for natural and safer alternatives, like natural potpourri and beeswax candles, you can create a pleasant home environment without compromising your health or the health of your loved ones. You can also use a mobile air purifier to clean the air around you.
For more information on creating a healthier home, check out the I Read Labels For You blog. Also, visit my non-toxic home, personal care, skincare, and makeup shop, download my e-books, and have a consultation with me if you want me to help you with your steps to non-toxic living.
Download The Free Guide!
5 Powerful Steps To A Non-Toxic Home
Join our informed consumer community and get our free guide the “5 Powerful Steps To A Non-Toxic Home”.
Before commenting, please read our Comment Policy.