Thanks to Febreze for sending me to this event and sponsoring this post.
Y’all know my thoughts on smells/scents. I’m generally not a fan of breathing in anything other than air. But since being a member of the Cleaning Collective for P&G, which includes Febreze products, I’ve had a lot more scent in my home than I had before. This is mostly because my boys immediately grabbed the Febreze products out of the box of stuff that arrived at my house last fall. They’ve finally hit the stage where they want to not stink (Hallelujah!!), but they totally blame each other for any less-than-pleasant smells in their room.
Before I knew it, the Febreze was gone.
And I’d only experienced nice smells and no adverse reactions.
I visited P&G’s headquarters last year to attend Febreze’s first ever Febreze Safety Immersion and found out there’s a lot of interesting stuff to learn about scent! I’m sharing all things odor elimination, scent and how I know that Febreze is a safe product to use around me and my family.
And honestly, because I work on the internet where information overload happens (and some of that information can be a little sketchy), I did have the question: Is Febreze safe or toxic?
I spent a day last year at Procter & Gamble’s home care labs in Cincinnati and met a few of the scent scientists (<-my term, not the official one) who have devoted their careers to defeating schtank. Or, as they so much more maturely refer to it, malodor.
I learned there is more to this product than just covering up smells with perfumes (which is, honestly, how I’d always assumed it worked).
The scent scientists study malodors to understand their chemistry so they can create an interaction with the schtank molecules and actually change their chemistry. Two things stuck with me. First, there’s a donut shaped molecule that traps the stink molecules inside of it so they no longer stink. Second, citric acid (like in lemons) is used to change the pH of the molecule to be closer to water. Scent-free water. To see how the stink-fighting science of Febreze works, go here. That page includes several videos showing how the chemistry works (floating molecules of stink interacting with floating molecules of Febreze) that are strangely satisfying to watch.
A Few More Things I Found Interesting about Febreze
One thing that came up when discussing whether Febreze is safe or toxic was the rumor that air fresheners have formaldehyde in them. Febreze doesn’t. None of the major brands of air fresheners have included formaldehyde in many years.
P&G, as a company, employs more than 500 scientists whose work is devoted to ensuring the safety of the products they make. They take product safety very seriously.
Did you know you should not shake Febreze? Febreze’s propellant is different from most, using only nitrogen. (Nitrogen makes up about 78% of the air that we breathe and allows for a water-based spray instead of a hydrocarbon-based one.) This allows the bottles to hold a lot more. Shaking a Febreze bottle isn’t unsafe, but it will cause you to run out of propellant sooner.
I’m a fan of eliminating stinkiness, but it’s the perfumes that generally give me a headache. I’ve found that the products that don’t bother me are the ones with citrus scents. And I’m a big fan of the Febreze ONE line which has no aerosols, dyes, or heavy perfumes and is specifically designed to have a lighter scent that goes away more quickly once the malodor has been eliminated. I especially like the Mandarin scent one.
As someone who is a little phobic about what I’m breathing in, I appreciated being taught that particle size determines how far something goes into my respiratory system. This infographic explains.
That photo at the top of the post? The flowers are sitting in Febreze to demonstrate its gentleness. At the dinner the evening before our day in the labs, one of the Febreze scientists poured Febreze fabric refresher into that vase and put the flowers in it. This picture was taken close to a full day later and the flowers were still fresh and alive.
So how has my new knowledge about Febreze affected my own home? Since returning from my day of learning about Febreze safety, I’ve been using Febreze significantly more in my own home. Now I understand the fairly obvious (though not obvious to me before) truth that 75% of my home is air, so the air needs to be part of my cleaning routine. I’m much more excited to use Febreze products (the ones with scents that don’t bother me) on my furniture and for general air-cleaning.
NOTE: Giveaway has ended. Want to win a gift pack of Febreze products valued at more than $25? Just leave a comment telling me what you learned from this post that you didn’t know before!
Winner will be chosen using random.org. Giveaway will close on June 15, 2018 at 9 p.m. Central. Sorry, but this is open only to residents of the continental U.S. or Canada. Winner must respond to my email within 48 hours or another winner will be chosen. See all my giveaway policies here.
I didn’t know not to shake the Febreze.
Tricia, check your email.
I didn’t know any of this, really…but not shaking Febreeze was new and surprising.
I had no idea that the propellant was nitrogen! Or that you shouldn’t shake Febreze. I love using Febreze on the nasty hockey smell from my husband, the dead earthworm smell my dog loves to roll in, or the dirty diaper smell from my little one. Really, I just love Febreze. I actually used it last night to get rid of a chicken smell. 🙂
I also didn’t know not to shake the bottle! And the bad things that ARENT in their products.
Once thing I do love (that’s not mentioned) is the stuff you add into your washing machine with your laundry. I don’t know what the difference is, but I used to add some regular febreeze from the spray bottle to boy laundry. The actual laundry additive can be hard to find. I’ve only found it once and promptly forgot which store it was in 😂
Thank you for taking the time to relay this accurate information
No idea not to shake Febreze! Not that I did, but good to know.
I didn’t know the febreeze changes the ph of the particles on the air. How interesting!
I love Febreze, though like you I often get headaches from scents so I am always incredibly hesitant to try new stuff.
I had no idea about not shaking the can!
I love the spray bottle and use it – especially when a dog comes to visit. I wasn’t aware of the real science involved and greatly appreciate that as a full time caregiver who needs safe products in our home. Will be using it regularly!
Love Febreze. I am very glad it is non toxic. I am especially glad it cleans the scents rather than perfuming them. I will remember not to shake.
I had no idea that Fabreeze cared so deeply about the safety of the products they manufacture and distribute.
I’ve always liked this product. I’ve like other products their scents are used in.
Great article.
I learned lots here, but especially liked learning how the molecules interact! Very cool!
I had no idea about not shaking the can either. With four little boy dogs in the house, I need all the help I can get to keep things feeling fresh!
I learned that Febreeze doesn’t use formaldehyde or other toxic, harmful ingredients. I’d always stayed away from it before because of things like phalates and artificial scents. Good to know it’s fairly safe and healthy. Probably still shouldn’t drink it though, right?! LOL
I didn’t know it was gentle enough to keep flowers alive
I knew nothing about all this. And I need this product. Now.
I love the unscented Febreze.
Learned about Febreeze ONE line and going to try mandarin 🙂
I learned that you should not shake the Frebreeze, very interesting article, Thank You!
I did not know Febreze was water based. And 😁 !!! Love that this is ok in Canada!!!! 🇨🇦
I thought it just covered up the smell, not changed it. Meanwhile, now I need the laundry additive stuff for all the work-out clothes in my house, dry weave is my nemesis!
Well, I learned a lot…but what I will immediately implement is not shaking Febreeze!
I feel much better about using Febreeze products now. I didn’t know not to shake Febreeze or how it neutralizes odors using citric acid.
Oops! Don’t shake the Febreeze! Who knew?
I did not know about shaking the bottle. I have always been skeptical about Febreeze and how it affected us and the environment, so I learned more about its safety.
Learned a lot: don’t shake the can, no longer formaldehyde and about the Febreze ONE line. Unfortunately, I’ve also recently learned that teenage boys are very stinky, so this sounds like it would be a great help.
I am so glad to learn i can use it and it won’t hurt me or family or cats. Many scented things give me a headache. I would rather have it smell fresh…like air!
Wow. I didn’t know about the donut shaped molecules or that the can shouldn’t be shaken. I can’t stand regular air fresheners. Will have to stock up on Febreze!
I am allergic to most perfumes and have never cared for the Febreze scent. I’d never heard of Febreze One or that it came in a Mandarin scent. I’m willing to try that! I have two boys and a big dog so I would like to try it on my sofa!
I didn’t know that I shouldn’t shake the febreeze!
I didn’t know there were scents that didn’t trigger perfume related issues.
I listened to The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg and he talks about how it was originally unscented and that they added the scent because people enjoyed having a nice smell at the end of their cleaning routine. Apparently they now have a scent free one too. What I think is interesting that I learned from this post is that febreze is still very involved with reaching out to individuals at home and teaching them about the product.
I read the same information in the book. Impressive!
I had no idea shaking Febreze was a “no no!” And I also had no idea it uses nitrogen either! Honestly. I really didn’t know anything about febreze other than it is an deodorizing product lol!
I had no idea that the size of the particles affected how far it went in one’s body! That’s interesting! 🙂 The flowers is what got me, though. That’s amazing! Thank you for sharing! I’m now a lot more likely to purchase Febreeze. 🙂 I’ll have to check out the citrus-y scents 🙂 Mmmm…
I didn’t know the science behind how febreze works or that it was so gentle. That makes me feel better about using it in my home!
Didn’t know not to shake the bottle! Also so great to know I can feel safe using it regularly around the house. I’m a minimalist when it comes to cleaning products. Thank you!
I’m with you, never knew there was so much science behind the product, and don’t shake? Who knew? As a mom of 3 boys and a stinky little girl, I’d LOVE to try their One line – we’re sensitive to artificial scents too and I had no idea there were versions available with less heavy fragrances. Cool!
I’m with you, never knew there was so much science behind the product, and don’t shake? Who knew? As a mom of 3 boys and a stinky little girl, I’d LOVE to try their One line – we’re sensitive to artificial scents too and I had no idea there were versions available with less heavy fragrances. Cool!
Good to find out not harmful chemicals are used in FeBreeze. My husband has always frowned on me using it because he thought there was harmful chemicals in the product. Now I can inform him and have a fresher smelling house and not worry about harming animals, furniture, carpet, etc. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Interesting info! I didn’t know there were different propellants used!
I never knew Febreze was so gentle and nontoxic!! thanks for this info!!
I didn’t know not to shake Febreze. I also didn’t know it was gentle enough for flowers to sit in.
Heavy artificial scents give me a headache. Now I know that there is the Febreze One line!
I never knew how Febreeze actually worked. I think what I enjoyed learning the most was how Febreeze changes the Ph of odor molecules. Never thought about odor as being molecules before and that, that was one of the reasons things get stinky more often than I wish they would.
I was not aware that the Fabreeze changed the make-up of the “schtank”!
I didn’t know most of this, but the not shaking really was interesting to me.
It was interesting to learn that Febreeze is water-based. Makes me feel better about spraying it. My kids tend to think that if a short burst is good, more must be better, but I didn’t like to think about what we were breathing!
I’m impressed at the flowers not dying in febreze. I regularly use it especially in our stinky car. Didn’t know to not shake the bottle!
Good to know you’re not supposed to shake it! And also, that it’s not full of crazy chemicals that will kill you, but keep you smelling good! 😉
I had no idea it was not toxic. The “fake” smells of air fresheners make me wonder what is in them. My husband LOVES Febreeze, but I run when he started spraying to avoid getting the “bad” particles in my lungs. Hmmmm, maybe I’ll go home and spray the Febreeze, he will wonder what is up!
I was happy to learn of a product that doesn’t affect your allergies, since I have to use everything unscented in my home due to allergies. I will try the mandarin orange, and not shake it!
They also have an unscented version of the fabric refresher!
I now know that Febreze molecules are donut-shaped to trap the stank. I’m not sure that’s beneficial knowledge because now I want a donut!
So glad have stumbled on your blog by accident…well, actually from someone recommending you on a minimalism site. I love your humor. And although I know I’m late to the party here, wanted to thank you for clearing up some misconceptions about Febreze. I never ever spray anything in the air because I truly thought all of it was just toxic. And I generally am sickened by anything that doesn’t smell like citrus or vanilla!
I’m so glad to learn what is NOT in their products! Perhaps I will give them another try thanks to you.
I like better explanation of how these products work, and I’m glad that P&G takes care about the safety of their products and are open about the ingredients.
However, I’m going to continue to use primarily home remedies and rarely use purchased products like Febreeze. I’m confident that the ingredients are limited to reasonably safe levels, but I think I can usually do without spraying substances like diethylene glycol into the air in my home. No doubt there is only a very small amount included, making occasional use reasonably safe, but this substance is still a potential hazard.
I read the safety data sheets when I want to understand product safety and I encourage everyone to look them up for themselves.
I think I’m going to try a vinegar, alcohol, and water solution steeped with citrus peels and also research other strategies. (Now I have an excuse to learn even more new things!)
Does the antibacterial Febreze actually kill bacteria? Does it work better or differently than regular Febreze Fabric refresher?
You’ll stop saying things like that the day you develop an allergy to febreze like I have. My skin and lungs tell you this: don’t buy that corporate BS you’ve been served. When you react you know that there is something funky and very toxic about febreze.
I just moved into an apartment that used febreze on the carpet. I got a massive headache the first night plus I simply cannot stand that chemical smell. This stuff should be banned.