Air fresheners can make your surroundings smell nice and clean—but if you’re using a traditional air freshener in your home, it may come at a price. Many commercial air freshener ingredients have been shown as toxic to us and to the environment. Let’s look at what those are, why they’re a problem, and the alternatives you can use instead.

Here are the top four air freshener ingredients to avoid when choosing something to freshen your home.

1. Dichlorobenzene

1,4 dichlorobenzene is an active ingredient and chemical in many commercial air fresheners. It’s listed as toxic under the EPA’s air quality guide. This is because its vapors can affect respiratory function.

In addition, the U.S. National Institute of Health Sciences has shown chemicals like dichlorobenzene present in air freshener ingredients may expedite respiratory disease and reduce lung capacity [1]. And 1,4 dichlorobenzene has been shown to cause testicular and kidney cancer in rats [2].

2. Ammonia

Ammonia is one of the most frequently produced industrial chemicals in the U.S. It’s used in business and manufacturing and is also produced naturally from bacteria in soil and in animals, animal waste, and plants.

It’s also used in many commercial air fresheners and deodorizers. This is bad because ammonia is irritating to the body. According to the New York Department of Health, exposure to ammonia can cause:

• Eye and skin irritation (and corrosive skin burns and eye damage in larger qualities)
• Nose and throat irritation and coughing
• Burning of the throat, nose, and respiratory tract
• Severe burns in higher concentrations

Not only that, but long-term exposure to ammonia at low levels can reduce your body’s awareness of it, causing damage that you might not realize over time. Since air fresheners are typically used daily, this is a regular type of exposure you’re better off avoiding.

3. Phosphates

Phosphates are the main cleaning agent used in many household cleaner and detergents. They’re also common as air freshener ingredients. Phosphates enhance the cleaning power by letting suds form that further break down dirt and stains.

While this sounds great, phosphates pose a risk to health and the environment because:

• Residue left over from items cleaned with detergents containing phosphate have been known to cause skin irritation, diarrhea, and nausea.
• Phosphates end up in our water—our lakes and rivers—even after they’ve been treated.
• In addition, phosphates in water can smother and kill fish and other aquatic life as well as increase algae growth. And when those additional algae die, they emit poisons that kill off more life in our waters.

Basically, the less we can use phosphates in household items, such as air fresheners and detergents, and find more natural alternatives, the better.

4. Formaldehyde

In order to get rid of or cover up odors, many commercial air fresheners use pretty harsh chemicals that aren’t great for your home or health.

One of the worst offenders is formaldehyde, a chemical found commonly in many air freshener ingredients as well as in glue between cabinets, carpets, and more. Here are some risks of using items containing formaldehyde:

• According to National Geographic’s The Green Guide, many of these chemicals, like formaldehyde, can actually temporarily blunt your sense of smell by coating your nasal passageways.
• The Green Guide also reports it can cause nausea, headaches, colds and coughs, and may even provoke asthma symptoms.
• Exposure to formaldehyde may even lead to serious adverse health effects, such as cancer, from long-term exposure.

Formaldehyde contributes to air pollution as well, since it tends to blend into the air as it’s wearing off.

5. Phthalates

Phthalates may be even more problematic than formaldehyde. They are used to disperse small particles in a gas or liquid, helping air freshener scents last longer.

Studies beginning in the 1990s have shown phthalates are able to mimic natural hormones in our bodies. This is concerning because any change in hormone ratio can mess with normal body function and pose risks to vital organs and development, especially in pregnant women.

A review by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) in 2007 found 12 out of 14 air fresheners that were widely available contained phthalates. This is why it’s good to focus on natural air fresheners and only buy products from conscious brands you can trust.

All-Natural Air Freshener Options

Instead of reaching for air freshener products at your local store, stick with more natural, safer alternatives like:

• Essential oils: Dilute them in water and add them to a spray bottle to use as a spray freshener. Lemon essential oil is especially great for air deodorizing and giving things that clean citrus scent naturally. Cedar is another good option. Use a combination of your favorites!
• An essential oil diffuser instead of candles or air fresheners to fill the room with all-natural fragrance.
• Natural candles instead of those with artificial fragrances.
• Baking soda: A great natural odor absorber. Making a baking soda air freshener with baking soda, water, a spray bottle, and optional essential oils.
• Natural air freshener and deodorizer products: Many people would rather not make air fresheners themselves. Thankfully, there are some good all-natural air fresheners out there, including Citrus Magic, Mrs. Meyers, Air Scense, and Grab Green, that don’t contain the harmful ingredients of commercial options.

At Nature’s Ideal, we sell the top products with natural air freshener ingredients to keep your home smelling lovely without all the junk. Check out our Air Fresheners selection here to choose the best option for your home!

Disclaimer: Statements made have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.