Let's face it: While air fresheners are a popular choice to combat unpleasant odors in our homes, the conventional options often come with a downside — the release of potentially harmful chemicals into the air that we breathe.
Thankfully, there is a growing awareness and demand for non-toxic alternatives that not only eliminate unwanted smells but also promote a safer and healthier indoor environment.
We've pulled together a list of 8 of our favorite non-toxic air fresheners that you can pick up on your next essentials run without compromising your and your family's well-being.
1. Pura 4
Price: $50
On the more expensive side of air fresheners, we have the Pura fragrance diffuser. Pura 4 is designed for medium to large rooms and can be controlled straight from your phone! Each fragrance vial lasts up to 120 hours, depending on usage.
2. Fresh Wave Spray + Odor Removing Gel
Price: $10
While not just a plug-in air freshener, Fresh Wave’s odor-removing gel gets the job done, too. Full of natural plant odors, the gel works when you remove its protective plastic, replace the lid, and place the container wherever you want to remove any not-so-great smells. Their full line of air freshening sprays and fabric sprays also live by the same motto — made with plants and all non-toxic ingredients.
3. Munchkin® Arm & Hammer Nursery Fresheners, Assorted Scents of Lavender or Citrus, 10 Count
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Price: $13
A parents’ favorite, these Arm & Hammer air fresheners are baking soda-based. The discs are baby-safe and can be placed in diaper bags or near diaper pails.
4. Pourri
Price: $6-20
Pourri, popularly known for its toilet sprays, has an entire line of air fresheners and sprays to meet your scent needs. The brand prides itself on being a natural essential oils formulated air freshening product line. It has no aerosol, parabens, or phthalates, just to name a few.
5. Grow Fragrance
Price: $15
Available in multiple different scents, the 100% plant-based air freshener comes in a spray bottle for easy use. The spray is also multi-purpose and can be used as an air or fabric freshener, too!
6. Scent Fill
Price: $25
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Scent Fill’s diffuser and scents come in a $25 bundle if you’re a first-time user. The plug-in air diffuser is 100% plant-based, and each scent should last up to 30 days.
7. Environscent
Price: $14
Environscent is a liquid-free alternative for a plug-in freshener. Each air freshener is made with paper scent refills and essential oils. They’re also recyclable and biodegradable. According to Environscent, each plug-in should last about 45 days.
8. Simmer pots
Price: The cost of the goodies you simmer
If you work through our whole list and realize that none of these scents are for you, don’t worry; you can create your own! Bring a pot of water to a boil and add in anything from lemon slices to apple slices to cinnamon sticks and let simmer for a few minutes or until your home smells like fresh air walked right in!
No matter which scent direction you choose to go in, your air freshener is a small, easy way to start making the non-toxic swap for yourself and the planet.
Vivian Nunez is a writer, content creator, and host of Happy To Be Here podcast. Her award-winning Instagram community has created pathways for speaking on traditionally taboo topics, like mental health and grief. You can find Vivian @vivnunez on Instagram/TikTok and her writing on both Medium and her blog, vivnunez.com.