When there’s an unsavory odor in your home, you typically want to cover it up. Most people try to hide smelly stenches using aerosol and plug-in air fresheners. These popular household products are readily available at virtually any supermarket. While air fresheners may smell good, and will successfully mask unwanted odors, they aren’t exactly good for your health.
Here’s why you should stop using air fresheners in your home.
Respiratory Issues
The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology has found that air fresheners contain a myriad of nasty and harmful chemicals. Most store-bought air fresheners contain volatile organic compounds. Volatile organic compounds are pollutants that are quickly absorbed into your body when inhaled. Problems breathing, dizziness, and headaches are often results of exposure to volatile organic compounds.
For people who are already affected by a chronic respiratory condition like asthma, the outcome of exposure can become even more serious. Parents need to take extra precautions when spraying air fresheners around their small kids as well, as they are more susceptible to complications from inhalation, due to their size.
Destructive to Your Health
Statistics show that more than 80 percent of air fresheners contain phthalates, a toxic substance found in many paints and pesticides. As you can imagine, repetitive exposure to phthalates can cause some serious health implications, including but not limited to birth defects.
What Should I Do About Bad Smells?
Fortunately, there are alternatives to chemical air fresheners. Some options even outperform the traditional aerosol air fresheners. All-natural essential oils can neutralize bad odors, as opposed to just masking them, making this a great home freshening option!
Cinnamon sticks, dried organic lavender sachets, and coffee grounds can also be placed in your space to eliminate lingering odors. These are also budget-friendly options!
Don’t forget to additionally keep your home clean to maintain a fresh, clean smell overall.
If you believe your odor is coming from a plumbing malfunction, contact Brownie's Septic and Plumbing, LLC, at (407) 890-0116, for plumbing repairs.