Ever heard of VOCs?
We will provide the full form of this acronym and many more insights about the positive effects of air fresheners on pets and children. So, keep reading.
According to a study authored by Dr. Beth Turner, 249.76 million Americans used air fresheners or room sprays in 2020. This number increased to 255.88 million in 2024. Now, imagine if so many Americans are inclined to use air fresheners, then India won’t be far behind.
As the standard of living has increased in India, Indians are on their way to segregating good and foul odour. However, in the process, they will forget that their choice will have some positive and negative effects on their pets and infants. In this blog, we will burst some myths circulating on the internet.
Dog Smells 40x Better Than Humans
We always saw movies where dogs sniff the burglar’s belongings and then run to find him. That’s because dogs can smell 40x better than humans. When you plan to use an essential oil or an air freshener around your pets, then you must know the following things:
- What’s the quality of the essential oil?
- How’s the ventilation in the room?
- What is the concentration of the fragrance that you will use?
- Will the dog directly contact the air freshener liquid?
If you think you can answer all the questions asked above, then your dog won’t have a hard time when you decide to use an air freshener.
Cats Smell 14X Better Than Humans
If you notice that a cat shuns away in a corner when you spray an air freshener, then that’s a signal to stop using such synthetic odours. Your cat can smell 14 times better than you. Well, that’s not the only thing that makes pets hate this synthetic odour.
This table will show you the potential risks that you place on your pets by using synthetic air fresheners:
| Pet | What has Happened? | Ill Effects |
| Dog | Molecules landed on the fur, and later, the dog licked them. | Digestive upset, neurological problems, fatal diseases. |
| If inhaled air freshener for prolonged periods | Causes skin irritation and irritation in your pet’s nose or lungs. | |
| Cats | Inhalation of air fresheners. | Causes burns to the mouth, skin or eye burns, stomach or intestinal ulcers, vomiting, retching, weakness, fever, and neurological problems. |
If you have a pet at home, be very careful about the ingredients in your air freshener. If you are not aware of the ill effects of most common air freshener ingredients, we have included a list in the table below.
There are Children Safe Air Fresheners
The myth is that some companies have cracked the formula for children-safe air fresheners. However, scientists never believe this claim. It’s well known that excess of anything can be bad; the same is true of air fresheners.
When you decide to light a scented candle, use cardboard air fresheners, or spray air fresheners, you are putting your child at risk of the following diseases:
- Paediatric conditions in infants
- Acute and Chronic asthma exacerbation
- Immune dysfunction
- Premature release of estrogenic hormone
31,04,22,14,748.22.
This is the number of Indians who inhaled aerosols in 2022. No, this is not another article written to state the ill effects of global warming. However, we are here to tell you that the bottle hiding in your kitchen cabinet, with flowers, lemons, roses, daisies, or maybe oranges printed on it, and ‘Air Freshener’ written on it, is nothing but a ‘Mini Gas Chamber.’
Have a look at this table:
| Component | Effects |
| Formaldehyde | Carcinogen (Long lasting effects leading to cancer.) |
| Parabens | Prevalent cause of breast cancer and hormone disruption |
| Phthalates | Linked to birth defects |
| Alcohol | Irritates sensitive skin |
These are the top 4 ingredients in any over-the-counter air freshener. So, does it mean, you should not use air fresheners? No.
We made one since we couldn’t find an air freshener safe for children, pets, and pregnant women. After all, it’s been rightly said, “If you don’t find the book, write it.” Read further to learn all about the 5 ingredients you should look for in an air freshener.
So, the next time you buy an air freshener, make sure it is made of natural essential oils.
