The Air That You Breathe

The other day I was at the grocery store with my husband looking for some air fresheners. I personally have never tired of my sweet orange oil but I figured I’d give him a break and see what’s out there. I’ve been encouraged by the improvements in dishwashing liquids, laundry detergents and cleaners but I am disappointed with the air fresheners.

Reading the labels of all these air fresheners left me confused and suspicious, even irritated. There were chemical names I could not pronounce on some labels, others described the action of the chemical, like anti-corrosives and preservatives. Some bottles didn’t even list ingredients. One label offered percentages of their ingredients, including “other ingredients 41.6%”. So this brand is telling me, a potential vict- consumer that I don’t really need to know what’s in their bottle. It’s not important to know what I’m spraying into the air and inhaling. Needless to say we walked away without buying any one of them.

Air fresheners and for that matter, perfumes of any kind do not fall under the same restrictions as cosmetics, skin care and food. The FDA does not consider scent a food or a drug. The reasoning is because it does not come in direct contact with the body. It’s not something taken orally or applied topically. The excuse is faulty. Anything one inhales comes into direct contact with the body. Once inhaled a scent or chemical is brought into the lungs and absorbed through its walls and delivered throughout the body via the bloodstream.

We don’t always have control of the air that we breathe but when we do there are easy, healthy and pleasant ways to fill the air. Essential oils are a perfect option for fragrance and come in a wide variety of choices. Besides being good for a personal fragrance essential oils can be used as air fresheners. Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Make your own potpourri using your favorite dried flowers or herbs. Essential oils can be added to boost the fragrance.
• Boil a small amount of water and pour into a bowl, then add a few drops of essential oil into the water and let the steam carry the scent through the house.
• Make your own reed diffuser. Kits are usually available at you local hobby shop and health foods stores.
• Don’t forget baking soda is good for absorbing foul odors. Sprinkled on the carpet or shoes and in the disposal will keep the funky smells from taking over the house too.
• Fresh cut flowers (and potted ones too) are, of course, the best way to freshen up a room. Last month our Jasmine was in bloom and smelling it late in the day was heaven.

Funny, there are so many easy and better alternatives to those fake, plastic air fresheners at the grocery store it’s a pity they don’t think we are worth it.

Got a question? Or a suggestion for discussion? Send us an email at contact@wildnaturalbeauty.com. We’re always happy to hear from you.

Lisa Radke is one of the owners of Wild Natural Beauty natural and organic beauty essentials. Please visit our website at www. wildnaturalbeauty.com.