Green Thinking Blog

The Natural Resources Defense Council recently investigated the chemical levels in some common air fresheners. The scary results? 12 out of 14 air fresheners had hormone-disrupting chemicals called phthalates in them. What’s even more frustrating is that some of the air fresheners they tested were labeled “unscented” and “all natural.” The only two air fresheners that were free of phthalates were Febreze Air Effects and Renuzit Subtle Effects.

Children and unborn babies have been found to be especially susceptible to these toxins. The state of California maintains the stance that five different types of phthalates are “known to cause birth defects or reproductive harm.”

I don’t know about you but I just love a fresh smelling car and home. To do it the “green way,” fill up a regular spray bottle with water and then add a dash of your favorite essential oil. One recipe I read said to mix 1 cup of water with 30-40 drops of oil. Just shake the bottle to mix the the oil before you spray each time.

A lemon or other citrus mixture would be nice for the kitchen and maybe lavender or other flower oil might be nice in your bedroom. For me, I’m going to make a peppermint spray for my car. Mint is proven to help you wake up and feel energized. That’s exactly what I need on my morning commute!!

Need some advice on where to get your supplies?

• Spray bottle - You can get cheap spray bottles at any drug store, Target, Walmart, Dollar Store, or Sally Beauty Supply. I always see them in the hair care section by the hair brushes, combs, etc.
• Essential oils - These are actually pretty easy to find if you know where to look. Check your local health food stores in the personal care section or a bath and body store like the The Body Shop. Of course, a google search of “essential oils” will also offer you a huge variety of online stores where you can buy in bulk. One of my favorites is a store called Leaves and Roots. They have a huge selection of oils, plus a great supply of natural herbs, extracts, and teas.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 15th, 2008 at 9:47 am and is filed under Bathroom, Kitchen, Lifestyle, Natural. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.