Ask A Healer Green Living Series

Do You Want Chemical-laden Toxic Air or Clean, Fresh Air? You Can Choose!

This is part four of a five-part health report on air freshener safety. In part one, we asked are you spraying toxic air into your home?. Do you know the answer? Please read part one for a better understanding of this and other parts of the health series on air freshener safety.

Alternatives to Air Fresheners - Natural Air Fresheners
© Neva J Howell, All Rights Reserved

I love organic essential oils as natural air fresheners. Of course, people with respiratory conditions such as asthma may also be allergic to some oils so be careful if someone in your home has a breathing disorder. I just put a few drops of lemon oil in water and spritz. Others use lavender or peppermint.

Another of my favorite natural air fresheners is fresh lemon. For refreshing the sink, I find half a lemon down the disposal does the trick. Lemon works well on that cutting board that smells of onions too.

I also call on the antibacterial properties of lemon oil whenever I have a cold or someone in my home has a cold.

I'll dab lemon oil on a small section of paper towel and then turn on the central air. I let the natural air suction pull the paper towel against the grate where the filter is and the fresh and healing scent of lemon soon fills the entire house.

More about aromatherapy and the use of therapeutic essential oils

Before you buy that potpourri in the store, check the ingredients. Though it may say it's a rose or flower potpourri, that doesn't mean it doesn't have chemicals added.

For natural air fresheners that linger and last, you can create your own non-toxic potpourri of dried, fragrant flowers or herbs. Lavender and rose are great for thsese and add a subtle scent that many find inviting and nice.

You may also want to add just a drop or two of organic essential oils to your homemade potpourri, for extra scent. Just be careful to check for perfumed additives if you don't dry your own flowers and always check essential oils to be sure they are 100 percent pure oils.

You just want the scent of the flowers so that may involve finding someone who makes their own without artificial fragrance being added. Some people don't know that flowers dried properly for potpourri can have quite potent scents and no added chemical perfumes are really needed anyway. Natural scent, though potent, is hardly ever overwhelming which, safety issues aside, chemical-laden perfumed potpourri may be.

A good aromatherapist will be familiar with essential oils that should be avoided in cases of a pre-existing respiratory condition.

Someone familiar with the properties of different essential oils may also have excellent suggestions on good combinations for natural air fresheners to fit specific environments.

For example, some essential oils are stimulating and might work well in the study while others are relaxing and would be perfect for the bath or bedroom. Looking for pure aromatherapy oils? Find organic essential oils here


Removing Toxins with Air Filters

Respiratory Health Disclaimer: If you experience trouble breathing or other signs of respiratory distress, you should check with your doctor to rule out other conditons that could be causing the discomfort. Rather than just start using aromatherapy oils, you might also wish to consult with an aromatherapist. Even though natural air fresheners are less likely to cause an allergic reaction, some oils are more volatile than others so those with asthma may want to forego added fragrance, whether natural or chemical.