What does clean smell like?
What does clean smell like?
Over the years people have been conditioned to believe that clean has a smell. Slowly, we’ve been trained that a clean home should smell like harsh chemicals and over-the-top synthetic fragrances. If you’re a PNWer clean is the aroma after the rain. So what should clean air smell like? Nothing. It could be described as the absence of aroma.
The trouble with most air fresheners is phthalates, which are linked to breast cancer, infertility, and thyroid and reproductive problems. So, how do you eliminate offensive odors in the home? It’s smart to remove the source rather than mask the scent. Eradicating the cause of odor may be as simple as turning on the ventilator over the stove or how about the original air freshener - opening a window.
Sometimes, despite our best efforts to make our homes smell clean, we may want to take additional action. What are some safe alternatives to excessively scented air fresheners? First, let’s not fool ourselves into thinking that essential oils don’t contain chemical constituents, when in fact, constituents such as linalool, pinene, and limonene are present in everyday foods, plants, fruit, vegetables, trees and in the world around us. Nor is it healthy to obsess over every ingredient, as it would surely lead to paranoia. After considering your own health and environment you can decide what is safe for you. Obviously, there is no one-size-fits-all answer.
Here I share one of my favorite all-natural air fresheners for my home.
- Pour 4oz of distilled water into a clean spray bottle
- Add 20 drops lemon essential oil
- Add 30 drops lavender essential oil
Use as a room spray. Shake bottle before each use.
What does clean smell like to you?
