Let’s face it! We all love for our homes to smell lovely!! As we acquire family pets, stinky shoes, water leaks, or perhaps move into a home that houses odors from years past…. Or perhaps for you it’s the diaper pail. The kitty litter. The laundry room!! I’ve even been told by mothers of teenagers and athletes, that sometimes their room is what sends mom on an air-freshener mission! Whatever the offending source, we look
for ways to “freshen the air“. So it seems a natural conclusion to grab one of the “air-fresheners” at our local store!
My eyes were opened to the dangers of theses “fragrances” when a customer shared her dog’s story with me. Their family’s dog had begun having serious health issues. She was trying to be so careful with his food and care, as well as the cleaners she was using in her home, so she wondered what was contributing to his illness. When the vet asked her if she had air fresheners in her home, she said that yes, she did. And he strongly recommended that she remove them immediately; she did! She shared how her dog began his trip back to health after removing those from her home!
So what is truly in these standard “air fresheners”? And are they *really* “freshening our air”? After doing a bit of online searching, I have learned that many “air fresheners” simply MASK the odors- either with synthetic fragrances or by coating our nasal passages with an oil film or agent that interferes with our body’s ability to smell. Does that sound like the solution you want in your home?
Next question, of course…. what do they have in them? Well here were just a few of the things I found- and as always, I encourage you to do your own research! :0) Camphor, phenol, ethanol, formaldehyde, and more. A few side effects of commonly-found “air freshener” ingredients are headaches, hormone disruption, and even increased cancer risk. There was an Environmental Health study published in 2010 that showed a frightening link of indoor chemicals to risk of breast cancer.
What are good odor-eliminating options, then?
* OPEN YOUR WINDOWS when you can!
*Grow some indoor plants to help purify the indoor air.
I found this list of good air-purifying plants from www.the-universe-inside-your-mind.blogspot.com:
“1. Bamboo Palm: According to NASA, it removes formaldahyde and is also said to act as a natural humidifier.
2. Snake Plant: Found by NASA to absorb nitrogen oxides and formaldahyde.
3. Areca Palm: One of the best air purifying plants for general air cleanliness.
4. Spider Plant: Great indoor plant for removing carbon monoxide and other toxins or impurities. Spider plants are one of three plants NASA deems best at removing formaldahyde from the air.
5. Peace Lily: Peace lilies could be called the “clean-all.” They’re often placed in bathrooms or laundry rooms because they’re known for removing mold spores. Also know to remove formaldahyde and trichloroethylene.
6. Gerbera Daisy: Not only do these gorgeous flowers remove benzene from the air, they’re known to improve sleep by absorbing carbon dioxide and giving off more oxygen over night.”
*Choose non-toxic air fresheners that actually REMOVE and digest the odors instead of masking!
Many of us have already discovered the natural odor-removing capabilities of white vinegar. And it was what I was trying to use before I got introduced to Norwex products. However, if your family is like mine, they might complain “Aw, Mom! It stinks like vinegar!”! So I have been so excited to learn about the REAL Clean of Norwex!! By truly leaving a CLEAN surface, we are REMOVING odor causing residues and soil from our homes.
I’ve also become a great fan of the wonderful Norwex enzyme cleaners! Think about adding the amazing Norwex Mattress Cleaner to your home! (Ask me when you can host a Norwex party and earn the Norwex Hostess-Exclusive Norwex MicroMaid Enzyme cleaner!) The concentrated Norwex Odor Eliminator goes a LONG way and is GREAT on odors! We have other enzyme odor-eater products- call me for all the details!
One thing we must always be cognizant of… CLEAN does not have a smell. It doesn’t smell “good” or “bad”…. it just smells “CLEAN”! With Norwex products, we can help you make your home smell TRULY CLEAN, without toxic cleaners and residues!
I can’t wait to welcome you into the wonderful world of Norwex. Please call me with any questions! If you’d like to purchase Norwex products, host a Norwex party or become a Norwex consultant, I look forward to helping you along your journey! Thanks for reading!
Abundant Blessings!
Sonya
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