Natural Air Fresheners: Healthy Ways to Freshen the Air in Your Green Home
Natural Air Fresheners
Every home could use a little fresher air sometimes, whether it be due to cooking odors, pets, or just because of a lack of circulation. Some people just love certain smells and want to infuse their home with a sweet aroma. The good news is that there are many natural air fresheners you can use to obtain fresher, healthier air quality in your home without toxic fumes and environmentally unsafe products.
Just Open Those Windows
This is the easiest way to keep a healthy air flow in your home. Even if you’re in a cold winter climate, take a few minutes several times a week and open one window on one side of the house and another on the other side. This will allow a stream of air flow that will flush out stale air. Try to choose warmer days to do this, so as not to waste heat. But even a few moments on a chilly day will work wonders.
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Plants
Make sure your home is filled with easy-care house plants. They will enrich the home with oxygen and greatly improve the quality of your home’s indoor air. Choose non-toxic varieties if there are children or pets in the home.
Change Filters As Needed
Air vents and heating/air conditioning filters should be changed as often as recommended to keep the air in your home healthy. This is another simple step, but it’s esential to keep down on allergens and other air contaminants.
Better Candles
Many people love candles, and while paraffin wax candles are not good choices for your health or the environment, due to carcinogenic fumes, there are other alternative choices. Beeswax or soy candles that have recycled, natural fiber wicks are better choices if you choose to burn candles.
Essential Oils
Using essential oils in the home is a safe and natural way to add an appealing fragrance to the air. Fill a spray bottle full of water, and add several drops of your favorite essential oil. Spray around the home as a natural air freshener.
Soak cotton balls or bits of fabric with essential oils and place around the home, out of reach of children or pets.
Add drops of essential oil to a tart burner for a natural air freshener with an aroma that will permeate throughout the home.
Flowers, Fruits, and Spices
Fill a bowl with your choice of flower petals from your flower garden. This adds a subtle scent and looks pretty, especially in a glass vase or decorative container. You could also make an old fashioned pomander like the kind used in colonial times. These are so easy to make. Just stud oranges, lemons, or limes with whole cloves and place in a pretty bowl. These look nice on the kitchen table around the holidays too. Spices, mint, and fruits can be simmered in a pot on the stove to make the room smell nice.
There are many natural air fresheners that will make your green home smell nice without compromising the environment or our health. From opening a window to making a pomander, you can fill your home with sweet smells without chemicals.
Resources
1. Green Living Tips: Candle Choices: https://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/78/1/Candle-choices.html
2. High Performance HVAC: Filters: https://highperformancehvac.com/filters.html