ost of us use air fresheners or home fragrances not only to cover bad odors but to get rid of bad vibes. Humans have complex olfactory systems. Our moods, stress responses, and even social behavior can shift due to smells, so it’s no wonder why lighting incense or spritzing room spray can be so uplifting.
The sad thing is that many conventional fragrances might be creating a positive mood, but they’re emitting all sorts of negative energy with hazardous ingredients. Formaldehyde, phthalates, and aerosol propellants are just some of the things you’ll find in many formulations but thankfully, there are also plenty of brands leaving all that behind.
In this article, we’ll go through ingredients worth avoiding, what makes an air freshener truly eco-friendly, and 19 brands selling non-toxic room scents. Good smells, with no bad vibes. That’s our mission.
Table of Contents
The History of Air Fresheners
As long as bad smells have existed, so too have air fresheners. The main difference is that where we used to burn herbs to ward off the stink, the 1940s brought us a new invention: the aerosol room spray. It was only in the 80s when these too began to lose their shine thanks to the discovery that chemicals in them were harming the ozone.
As aerosol air fresheners dropped in popularity, other room fragrances began to enter the market such as incense and read diffusers. In the last few years, we’ve also seen a shift in the intended benefits of these products.
Once simply marketed as a tool to cover odors, modern brands now tend to emphasize the health and wellness effects of their scents more than anything else. It’s why we need to be asking more questions about what’s going into our air fresheners, and what they’re leaving behind.
Why Should You Use Non-Toxic Air Fresheners Instead of Conventional Ones?
The simple fact is that air fresheners and room fragrances alter the air we breathe. Hopefully, they’re just making the air smell better but too often these products are adding harmful chemicals to our air that may be damaging our health and environment.
Switching to non-toxic air fresheners ensures that you’re inhaling cleaner, safer air. It also means that you’re generally contributing less to the manufacturing of products with environmentally damaging ingredients. So many of the chemicals we’ll look at in the next section aren’t biodegradable and as such can accumulate in our bodies and water systems, causing untold damage over time.
A List of Substances to Avoid When Looking for Non-Toxic Air Fresheners
Most air fresheners, like so many fragrances and home products, are packed with ingredients but here are the main ones to look out for when going non-toxic:
- Aerosol Propellants: Though US regulations of aerosol propellants have come a long way since the 80’s, they still contain compressed gases and hydrocarbons which contribute to global warming, and aren’t great for general air quality.
- Phthalates: This group of chemicals is used to make plastic more pliable, and they’ve somehow started to turn up in everything from fragrances to food. The main health issue they’ve been linked to is heart disease but they’re also thought to be carcinogenic.
- Methylisothiazolinone: This preservative is found in many liquid air fresheners despite being known to cause serious contact dermatitis and early studies linking it to neurotoxicity.
- Formaldehyde: Exposure to even small amounts of formaldehyde can be very irritating for some, causing everything from nausea to coughing. Beyond allergies, however, it’s an ingredient that’s become increasingly associated with cancer risks which is why the EU has come to ban it in cosmetics and fragrances.
- Benzene: This ingredient is one of many “volatile organic compounds” (VOCs) found in conventional air fresheners that add to air pollution. Limited exposure to Benzene doesn’t seem to be an issue but regular, long-term exposure can be carcinogenic and negatively affect gene health.
- 1,4 Diclorobenzene: This synthetic deodorizer is also found in mothballs and according to the CDC, can irritate the eyes and mouth, cause breathing issues, and even an upset stomach. Early research has also suggested that it may be carcinogenic.
- D-limonene: Though naturally-occurring, this substance can cause allergies and when sprayed in high amounts, can form formaldehyde (a known carcinogen) in the air.
- Synthetic Fragrances: These are a common allergen for people with sensitive skin but they’re also worrying because they’re often petroleum-based and can include carcinogenic and endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
- PEG-40: Castor oil is combined with ethylene oxide to create this ingredient. The castor oil isn’t a problem, but ethylene oxide is a known carcinogen.
- Toluene: This solvent is common in many perfumes and air fresheners. It’s unfortunately also a common eye and skin irritant, and research has linked Toluene exposure to neurotoxicity, immune issues, and developmental, kidney, and developmental toxicity.
- Xylene: Known as an “aromatic hydrocarbon”, Xylene is solvent found in many fragrances and has been linked with dizziness, nausea, and headaches. It can also be very irritating to the skin.
- Styrene: Found mostly in spray fragrances, styrene is a possible carcinogen and endocrine disruptor. Inhalation has also been shown to be toxic to the central nervous system.
- Acetaldehyde: This chemical, though naturally occurring, is regularly used to synthesize chemicals in fragrances and some research has raised concerns of it being a possible carcinogen.
- Triclosan: Triclosan is used in various personal care and home products as an anti-bacterial ingredient despite the fact that research has shown humans can absorb it via the skin and mouth and the evidence that exposure to it can risk endocrine and reproductive health.
- Methylene chloride: Yet another solvent on this list, this particular one is a possible carcinogen that early research has linked to the development of mammary gland tumors.
What are Our Criteria for Eco-Friendly Air Fresheners?
Non-toxic is one thing, but what about environmentally friendly air fresheners? When we talk about “clean” products, it’s mostly a discussion of ingredients, but sustainability casts a wider net. Here are the main criteria we use:
- Sustainable Packaging: Badly designed packaging made from non-recyclables is what’s adding to our landfill and pollution problems right now. A true, environmentally friendly air freshener will ideally use recycled or recyclable materials or even better, be refillable and zero-waste.
- Clean, Ethically Sourced Ingredients: Since so many non-toxic air fresheners rely on ingredients sourced directly from nature, it’s important that the sustainability of that sourcing be considered too. For example, using organic ingredients is great as it means fewer agrochemicals.
- Commitment to Transparency: Brands that disclose all their ingredients (including what’s in their “fragrance”) and show accountability for their production processes – that’s what we want to see more of.
- Cruelty-Free: Being environmentally friendly includes being kinder to animals. In our opinion, sustainability should always include a stand against animal testing.
- Something You Can Use to The Last Drop: Waste not want not. A product that you can use and love until the very last drop without creating any extra waste will always be the most environmentally friendly.
19 Non-Toxic and Eco-Friendly Air Fresheners We Recommend
With all the crazy things going on in the world, the least you should be able to have is a space that smells good. Here are 19 of our favorite brands making clean, environmentally friendly air fresheners without any of the nonsense:
1. ATTITUDE
Attitude has taken a particularly unique approach to the world of non-toxic air fresheners. They sell small containers of charcoal and other natural ingredients that absorb unwanted odors while simultaneously releasing gentle fragrances to refresh your space.
Price range: $8-$20
Products: Air fresheners and purifiers.
Scents: Fruity combinations such as green apple and basil, as well as classics like lavender and eucalyptus.
Pet/Baby Safe: They have a range of specifically baby and pet-friendly non-toxic air purifiers.
Sustainability Stats:
- Natural, non-toxic ingredients.
- EWG-Verified.
- Vegan.
2. Aera Diffuser
Aera is definitely on the more luxury end of things, but we love their chic, elevated approach to non-toxic air fresheners. They not only provide beautiful scents (with capsules that last 600 hours), but a full plug-in system.
Price range: Air freshener devices are $100-$200, and scents are $60.
Products: Car and room diffusers.
Scents: Aromatherapy essential oil blends such as sweet orange and mandarin, and peppermint and rosemary.
Pet/Baby Safe: Pet-friendly.
Sustainability Stats:
- Micro-droplet technology and heated diffuser for safe scent dispersal.
- Natural non-toxic ingredients with full transparency.
- Recyclable and reusable packaging.
3. Scent Fill
Marketed as the very first 100% natural, non-toxic plug-in air fresheners, these discreet devices provide a long-lasting scent that will keep your space smelling great 24/7.
Price range: $8-$34
Products: Plug-in air fresheners.
Scents: Classic aromatherapy-type fragrances such as lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus.
Pet/Baby Safe: Pet-friendly.
Sustainability Stats:
- 100% non-toxic, natural ingredients with full transparency.
- Refillable packaging.
4. Dedcool
Known primarily for their cosmetic fragrances and laundry detergents, this non-toxic fragrance brand also makes incredible air fresheners. They’re light, interesting scents that give a space a hotel-like feeling.
Price range: $12-$40
Products: Car air fresheners and room/linen sprays.
Scents: Modern, elevated fragrances that include notes such as sandalwood and black pepper.
Pet/Baby Safe: Baby and pet safe.
Sustainability Stats:
- Carbon Neutral.
- Vegan.
- Donate to 1% for the planet.
- Everything is manufactured in-house in small batches to reduce waste and carbon footprint.
- Recycled and reusable packaging.
5. Primally Pure
This brand isn’t just trying to make the healthiest air freshener options for your physical well-being, but your mental health too. Their room sprays each have scent combinations with a different intention behind them, such as “destress” and “uplift”. We also love that their formulas have added anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties.
Price range: $36-$40
Products: Non-toxic room sprays.
Scents: They cover the full range with citrus, floral, and woodsy options, as well as a palo santo scented mist.
Pet/Baby Safe: Not yet stated.
Sustainability Stats:
- Natural, non-toxic formula featuring sustainably sourced ingredients.
- Runs a recycling initiative.
6. Grow Fragrance
This brand has been featured on Allure, the Washington Post, and plenty of other sites thanks to its incredible products and commitment to clean, transparent ingredient lists.
Price range: $12-$34
Products: Room and linen sprays, and car fresheners.
Scents: Fresh, light fragrances inspired by nature such as “Wildflower Rain” and “Woodland Sage”.
Pet/Baby Safe: Pet and baby safe.
Sustainability Stats:
- Clean, 100% plant-based formula.
- Recyclable and refillable packaging.
- Leaping Bunny certified.
- USDA-certified biobased product.
- Durham Living Wage.
7. P.F. Candle Co
This brand is a one-stop shop for all the best non-toxic home fragrance products. They’ve got sprays, and air fresheners that are made with thoughtful ingredients and eco-friendliness built-in throughout.
Price range: $19-90
Products: Insense, car fragrances, reed diffusers, and room/linen sprays.
Scents: Ojai lavender and an amber and moss combination are just some of the natural, down-to-earth fragrances the brand makes.
Pet/Baby Safe: Pet-friendly.
Sustainability Stats:
- Vegan.
- Cruelty-free.
- Non-toxic and phthalate-free.
- Recyclable and reusable packaging.
8. Vitruvi
Vitruvi is the chic, non-toxic Febreze you’ve been looking for. Think minimal packaging that looks great on your bookshelf and fragrances that will bring calm and clarity to even the most chaotic spaces.
Price range: About $12 for fragrances and $65-$200 for diffusers/humidifiers.
Products: Diffusers, essential oil blends, and humidifiers.
Scents: Fresh, light fragrances that evoke warm linens and sunny garden days.
Pet/Baby Safe: Has a helpful guide on using essential oils when pregnant or with a newborn around and another regarding pets.
Sustainability Stats:
- Natural, non-toxic formulas free of VOCs.
9. Enviroscent
Enviroscent makes some of the best non-toxic room spray and fragrance options. Free of nasties like formaldehyde and phthalates, they’re natural, never overwhelming, and have eco-consciousness built into every aspect.
Price range: $10-$15
Products: Room sprays, car scents, and plug-in air fresheners, and reed diffusers.
Scents: Transportive, spa-like scents such as pineapple and coconut (their newest launch) and sea salt and aloe.
Pet/Baby Safe: Pet-friendly.
Sustainability Stats:
- Non-toxic formula.
- Liquid-free (saves on packaging and water).
- Minimal, recyclable packaging.
- Refills.
10. Good Natured
Stocked on Amazon, Walmart and various other stores, Good Natured is proving that buying non-toxic air fresheners with simple, biodegradable ingredients doesn’t need to be tricky.
Price range: $10-$20
Products: Room and linen spray.
Scents: They only have two scents, Lavender Lime, and Lemon Love but we love how fresh and invigorating both are.
Pet/Baby Safe: Safe for children and pets.
Sustainability Stats:
- Recyclable packaging.
- Cruelty-free.
- Clean, eco-friendly ingredients.
11. Fresh Wave
Besides classic room and linen sprays, Fresh Wave makes a seriously innovative non-toxic air freshener in the form of their “odor-removing gel”. All you have to do is take off the cap and the gel in the jar will absorb bad smells and freshen your air with the scent of essential oils.
Price range: $8-$15
Products: Fabric spray and odor-removing gel.
Scents: Simple, easy scents such as lavender and lemon. Perfect for everyday home use.
Pet/Baby Safe: Pet-friendly.
Sustainability Stats:
- Natura, plant-based non-toxic formulas.
- Cruelty-free.
12. Province Apothecary
Non-toxic incense is hard to find but Province Apothecary is changing all that with their essential-oil-infused products. Their incense is even Vogue-approved!
Price range: $16-$49
Products: Essential oil-infused charcoal incense.
Scents: Aromatherapy scents such as lavender and cedarwood that are aimed at boosting wellbeing.
Pet/Baby Safe: Baby safe with a full guide.
Sustainability Stats:
- Organic, plant-based, and ethically sourced ingredients.
- Recyclable packaging.
- Recycling program.
- Partnered with a renewable energy initiative in Canada.
- Vegan.
- Cruelty-free.
- Certified Green Business.
13. Mrs. Meyers
We could not write this list without giving a shout-out to Mrs. Meyers and their range of non-toxic, environmentally friendly air freshener products. Available at CVS with a wide array of scents, we love how easy this brand is making it for people to switch over to more eco-conscious home fragrances.
Price range: $6-26
Products: Room sprays.
Scents: From lilac to rose, all the Mrs. Meyers fragrances are garden-inspired so that your space always smells as fresh as a daisy.
Pet/Baby Safe: Pet-friendly.
Sustainability Stats:
- Natural and non-toxic ingredients.
- Cruelty-free.
- Recyclable packaging.
14. Fontana Candle Co.
Everything this brand makes is naturally scented with beautiful essential oils. A special shoutout needs to be given to their wax melts as these are the perfect non-toxic air fresheners for people who hate anything too strongly scented.
Price range: $13-$30
Products: Wax melts
Scents: A mix of yummy, homey scents such as Spice Latte and Ginger Chai, as well as fresher combinations like lemongrass and eucalyptus.
Pet/Baby Safe: Not yet stated.
Sustainability Stats:
- All-natural, non-toxic ingredients.
- Made Safe Certified
- Cruelty-Free.
- Recyclable packaging.
15. Aura Cacia
This brand is making some of the best non-toxic home scents on the market. Their essential oil blends and sprays are uplifting without ever being too much. We also love that all their essential oils are GC/MS tested. The brand is fully transparent about these testing results and the sourcing of their ingredients.
Price range: $5-$20
Products: Non-toxic room sprays, essential oil blends, and bathroom sprays.
Scents: Fresh florals and breezy ocean-inspired fragrances.
Pet/Baby Safe: Not yet stated.
Sustainability Stats:
- All-natural, non-toxic ingredients.
- Runs an outreach project to uplift women and girls.
- Transparent ingredient sourcing.
16. Muse Apothecary
Muse Apothecary’s artisanal non-toxic home scents are designed to support overall well-being with products designed to help you manifest, find peace, and build your true sanctuary away from the world. A major plus with this brand is that the packaging is beautiful enough that you’d be happy to leave the room mists out at all times.
Price range: $33-$45
Products: Non-toxic room sprays.
Scents: Grounding, aligning scents that feature ingredients such as Palo Santo, white sage, and sweetgrass.
Pet/Baby Safe: Not yet stated.
Sustainability Stats:
- Natural, non-toxic ingredients free of phthalates, etc.
17. Moso Natural
If you hate having to remember to light a candle or spritz a non-toxic room spray to keep your space smelling fresh, then Moso Natural’s air-purifying bags of bamboo charcoal are perfect for you. They’re also fragrance-free so great for anyone that gets irritated by strong smells.
Price range: $11-$25
Products: Air and car purifier bags.
Scents: Unscented.
Pet/Baby Safe: Pet safe.
Sustainability Stats:
- Natural, non-toxic ingredients free of fragrance, etc.
- Biodegradable contents (can be sprinkled on your plants).
- Transparent manufacturing.
18. Dr Schulze’s
We’re ending off this list with a slightly unusual air freshener but Dr Schulze’s Air Detox is a favorite of yoga and fitness teachers thanks to its highly effective formula. If it works well in sweaty workout spaces, it’s bound to be great at home too.
Price range: $22-110
Products: Air detox spray.
Scents: They only have one, but the essential oil-based eucalyptus and citrus scent manages to be both zingy and calming.
Pet/Baby Safe: Not yet stated.
Sustainability Stats:
- Non-GMO and organic ingredients.
- 100% pure essential oils.
- Vegan.
- Recyclable packaging.
19. Green Koala
Looking for a more natural and perhaps, more luxurious Febreze alternative? Green Koala not only has beautiful, natural room sprays but various other safe scented products that will make your home smell incredible.
Price range: $6-$32
Products: Room and linen sprays, wax melts, and reed diffusers.
Scents: Simple but luxurious fragrance combinations such as amber and sandalwood, or jasmine and vanilla.
Pet/Baby Safe: Only states that it’s safe for adults and children.
Sustainability Stats:
- All-natural, non-toxic ingredients.
- Donates to various eco causes.
- Recycled and recyclable packaging
7 DIY Non-Toxic Air Fresheners We Recommend
The best non-toxic room sprays and home scents might be sitting in your kitchen cupboard right now …
1. Turn Kitchen Scraps into Magic
What if we told you that you could turn your leftover herbs, half-cut citrus, and other bits from cooking prep into a pet-safe, non-toxic room spray? All you have to do is throw a few things into a pot of water, simmer until your kitchen smells delicious, and then strain and cool the leftover liquid to use in a spray bottle.
Here's what you can use in your concoction:
- Citrus (even if it’s just the leftover skin)
- Herbs such as thyme, rosemary, and mint.
- Pieces of ginger.
- A drop of vanilla extract.
- Spices such as cinnamon or cloves for holiday vibes.
2. The Power of Vinegar
Vinegar is a natural odor absorber. Even just leaving bowls of it around the house can help get rid of nasty spells but you can also mix some with water and use it in a spray bottle to clean with and it will lift bad smells that way too. As long as you keep it away from the reach of pets and babies, it’s perfectly safe for them.
3. Lemon Love
When life hands you lemons, make a non-toxic air freshener. You can simmer lemon scraps on the stove, bake them in the oven to get bad smells out of your kitchen, or even freeze the rinds and throw them into the garbage disposal.
To turn your lemons into a non-toxic air diffuser, place the following into a mason jar and then cover with a breathable cloth:
- Zest of two lemons.
- 15 drops of lemon essential oil.
- A quarter cup of baking soda.
4. Make Your Own Essential Oil Blend
It’s easier than you’d think to create a personalized, essential oil mix for your non-toxic room spray of dreams. Just mix a few drops into some water and spritz away! Use citrus and minty scents such as eucalyptus to boost energy or lavender and chamomile for a more soothing fragrance.
There are conflicting views on using essential oils around babies and pets. Generally, however, the guidance is to wait until babies are 3 months old to expose them and that as long as your pets and kids aren’t touching or ingesting the essential oil blend, all is well. That said, keep an eye out for how they respond when you spritz your DIY non-toxic room spray as some little lungs are more sensitive than others.
5. Lavender Sachets
If you or someone you know has some lavender bushes, it’s time to make some DIY lavender sachets. If not, they sell dried lavender in bulk on Amazon. Here’s what you need to do:
- Harvest lavender and divide them into small bunches secured with twine.
- Hang the lavender upside down somewhere dark and cool for about 3-4 weeks so it can dry.
- Lay out a board or cloth and remove the dried buds onto it with your fingers.
- Place the buds into drawstring bags and store them around your house as a non-toxic air freshener. They also make great gifts!
6. A Vodka Spritz
This is the simplest DIY non-toxic linen spray we’ve found and surprisingly effective. All you do is put vodka in a spray bottle and you’ve got the perfect thing to get bad odors out of curtains, linens, and rugs that won’t harm the fabric.
7. Salt and Fabric Softener
This is one of the most low-effort ways to DIY a non-toxic home fragrance. Just mix the following in a small bowl, leave it out on a surface, and you’ll be amazed at how much the scent fills the room:
- X1 small bowl filled with coarse sea salt.
- X1 tablespoon of rubbing alcohol
- X1 capful of fabric softener (make sure it's non-toxic though!)
Where Can You Buy Non-Toxic and Eco-Friendly Air Fresheners?
Picking up a non-toxic or eco-friendly air freshener these days is as simple as popping into your nearest Target or CVS. Thanks to the attention that ingredients like formaldehyde and phthalates are getting in the media these days, stores are getting so much better about stocking non-toxic options.
All the eco-friendly and clean air fresheners we’re about to recommend in the next section are available to order online, to your door, with most having in-person shopping options too.
Breathe Easy
Scents are too powerful not to pay attention to. Not only can certain fragrances help set a positive mood, but the ingredients can actively affect our health and the planet’s. Going non-toxic with your air fresheners can help eliminate exposure to skin-irritating, carcinogenic, and air-polluting ingredients.
An air freshener or room spray should help you breathe easier, not add to your woes. Next time you’re in the market for a good vibe setter, and bad smell-killing product for your space, consider choosing something non-toxic or eco-friendly. These products are getting increasingly easy to find and we swear they smell so much better than the conventional stuff.
FAQs
Which air fresheners are not toxic?
Enviroscent, Aera, and Dedcool all make natural air fresheners that are not toxic. They use safe, healthy ingredients that you get the benefits of a beautifully fragranced home without any of the worry.
Is Pura actually non-toxic?
Yes, Pura is actually non-toxic. They’re free of phthalates, formaldehyde, and many other hazardous ingredients. They do however use some synthetic chemicals which they disclose and flag as possible irritants. We love seeing this kind of transparency from a brand and hope more follow!
How can I freshen my house smell naturally?
One of the best ways to freshen your house smell naturally is by making sure you’re staying on top of cleaning and airing your home out. The main cause of bad smells in a space is often due to damp or dirt issues. Once that side of thing is sorted, a great natural way to improve how your home smell is to simmer a pot of oranges, cloves, and cinnamon sticks on the stove. It sounds weird but it’s totally natural and you’d be amazed at how quickly the scent can fill a space.
Are there any safe fragrances for home?
We’re happy to report that there are many safe fragrances for home use. Dr Schulze makes an iconic spray that even gym owners love for deodorizing a space and other brands such as Mrs. Meyers and Good Natured have all kinds of safe options made with clean, non-toxic ingredients.
What is the safest air freshener to use?
The safest air fresheners to use are ones that avoid VOCs and artificial aerosol propellants, and any of your known allergies. Some examples of the brands we love for safe, healthy air fresheners for the home are Grow Fragrance and Good Natured.
Is Febreeze non-toxic?
Febreeze has made greater efforts in recent years to be non-toxic such as switching to a natural nitrogen propellant but because they use mostly synthetic ingredients, many would not consider their formulas non-toxic.
What is the healthiest type of air freshener?
The healthiest air fresheners are often just the things you have at home – baking soda, vinegar, and lemons can all be used as effective air fresheners! The simpler and more natural the air freshener, the healthier it likely is but this also depends on your personal allergies or sensitivities.
