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January 6, 2016

The Problem with Scented Candles, Fabric Softener and Air Freshener (and All-Natural Alternatives)

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Did you know that some of the biggest pollutants inside the typical home are conventional fabric softeners, scented candles and air fresheners? The toxic, synthetic ingredients in these products contain known carcinogens; they can cause respiratory or central nervous system issues, allergic reactions, and reproductive problems.

Did you know that some of the biggest pollutants inside the typical home are conventional fabric softeners, scented candles and air fresheners?

Here are some of the toxic ingredients in fabric softener and dryer sheets:
  • Benzyl acetate: Can cause dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, sore throat, or labored breathing when inhaled.
  • Benzyl Alcohol: Can causer, allergies, or toxicity within the immune system.
  • Ethanol: Listed as an air pollutant by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and can cause central nervous system disorders.
  • A-Terpineol: Can cause respiratory problems, including fatal edema, and central nervous system damage.
  • Ethyl Acetate: A narcotic on the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list.
  • Camphor: Causes central nervous system disorders.
  • Chloroform: Neurotoxic, anesthetic and carcinogenic.
  • Linalool: A narcotic that causes central nervous system issues.
  • Pentane: A chemical known to be harmful if inhaled. Can cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness and dizziness. Repeated inhalation of vapors can cause damage to the central nervous system.
  • Fragrance: Carcinogen and endocrine disruptor

    Here are some of the harmful ingredients in scented candles:
  • Paraffin: is a sludge waste product from the petroleum industry. It releases carcinogenic chemicals when burned and can cause respiratory issues.
  • Artificial scents and colors: Can cause allergic reactions.
  • Lead: found in the wicks of some candles and is released into the air. Can cause central nervous system issues and respiratory issues.
  • GMO soy: while we aren’t sure of the long-term effects of GMO soy, I prefer to keep this out of the air in my home.

    Here are some of the toxic ingredients in air fresheners:
  • Benzene: a carcinogen
  • Formaldehyde: a carcinogen
  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): can irritate the respiratory system.
  • Phthalates: can interfere with production of testosterone and have been associated with reproductive abnormalities.

Did you know that some of the biggest pollutants inside the typical home are conventional fabric softeners, scented candles and air fresheners?The ingredients in these products make their way into the bloodstream via the skin or lungs. Why cover our homes, clothes, towels, bed linens and ourselves in chemicals that can weaken the immune system, cause cancer, or disrupt our hormones when there are more natural alternatives?

A few years ago, I got rid of all of these potentially toxic products. Here’s what I’ve replaced them with:

1. Wool Dryer Balls and Essential Oils
To reduce static cling and help our clothes smell fresh, I use Organic Wool Dryer Balls. They come six to a pack, last for over 1,500 loads each, are hypoallergenic and completely chemical free! I place 2 drops of essential oils like Lavender or Lemongrass on each ball before drying a load of laundry (the scent of the oil on the dry ball lasts for a few loads). The combination of the dryer balls and essential oils keep our laundry smelling fresh while free of static electricity and toxic chemicals.

2. Beeswax Candles
Beeswax candles are a fantastic natural alternative to conventional candles and help clean the air by emitting negative ions. I purchase these votive beeswax candles, these pillar candles, and these 9-hour burn candles (great for your emergency kit!).

Did you know that some of the biggest pollutants inside the typical home are conventional fabric softeners, scented candles and air fresheners?

3. A Diffuser and Essential Oils

I use a diffuser and therapeutic grade essential oils in place of air fresheners and scented candles. It’s important to only use essential oils that are completely pure and free of synthetic chemicals or cut with cheaper oils to reduce costs. 

The fun thing about using essential oils as an air freshener is that they can also have therapeutic effects on the body. Your sense of smell is directly connected to your emotional brain. So, inhaling pure, therapeutic grade essential oils can actually make you feel more calm, reduce sad and anxious feelings, help you feel more alert, etc. If you’d like to find out which brand I trust and use for my family, click here (I’ll also send you my “50 Practical Ways to Use Essential Oils Cheat Sheet”!).

Did you know that some of the biggest pollutants inside the typical home are conventional fabric softeners, scented candles and air fresheners?4. Glass spray bottles and essential oils

To make your own air freshener, you can fill a glass spray bottle about 3/4 of the way full with filtered water and then add 15-20 drops of your favorite essential oil. Shake and spray. You can make your own combinations using your favorite scents and you know exactly what’s in the bottle!

Here are some of my favorite combinations for the diffuser as well as for homemade air freshener:

  • Lavender and Cedarwood (this is a great blend to diffuse while sleeping)
  • Serenity and Balance (my favorite blend when I’m feeling uptight)
  • Geranium, Grapefruit and Lavender (this is my favorite blend to blend into my non-toxic cleaning solution – makes the whole house smell fresh)
  • Lemon, Lime, Wild Orange and Grapefruit (a nice citrusy blend for a bathroom air freshener)
  • Douglas Fir and Wild Orange (a refreshing scent – I like to diffuse this while working at my desk)
  • Peppermint, Wild Orange and Serenity (smells like a spa!)
  • Cardamom, Cassia, Clove and Ginger (smells like a cup of Chai!)
  • Serenity and Vetiver (for a great night’s sleep)

What are your favorite non-toxic alternatives to air freshener, scented candles and fabric softener?

Posts may contain affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Filed Under: Essential Oils, Thyroid Disease | 16 Comments

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16 Comments

  1. Amy

    January 12, 2016 at 5:38 pm

    Thanks - I love this post. It's fairly easy for me to have a chemical-free home, but my biggest problem is in finding fragrance-free hair styling products that really work, (like that add alot of volume.) Do you have suggestions for that? Thanks!
    to Amy" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Amy'>Reply to this comment
    • Robyn

      January 12, 2016 at 7:18 pm

      If you Google "fragrance-free hair products", you will find places to buy them.
      to Robyn" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Robyn'>Reply to this comment
  2. Robyn

    January 12, 2016 at 10:30 pm

    Thanks for a great article and ideas! I recently purchased wool balls for my dryer, however we live in a dry climate and some static still remains after drying with the balls. Do you have any ideas for furthering the static reducing ability?
    to Robyn" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Robyn'>Reply to this comment
    • Toni Rinehart

      January 22, 2016 at 7:56 am

      Hi Robyn - We have not tried it, but I have heard putting 3-6 tablespoons of Himalayan Rock Salt into a cotton drawstring bag and then placing the bag in with the wet clothes will help. Good luck :)
      to Toni Rinehart" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Toni Rinehart'>Reply to this comment
  3. Erin

    January 12, 2016 at 11:15 pm

    I have tried using essential oils in my laundry and the sourness of my laundry still is something terrible. :( I really wanted this to work.
    to Erin" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Erin'>Reply to this comment
    • carol

      February 14, 2016 at 5:29 pm

      Sour clothes - some things that I have seen as a cause: * clothes are left in dryer too long; or left in dryer while still damp, they will 'sour'. Have to re-wash to remove odors from clothes... * sour machine: is it the machine itself is not causing odor? Sometimes washing machines 'sour' due to build up inside the drum. the clothes will then smell sour if the washer is sour, drying will not remove - have to clean the washer, re-wash the clothes. If washer is sour, needs cleaning, see manufacturer directions... I run washer through a cycle, no clothes in it, and add a cup of bleach (I use non-chlorine eco). Run through a regular wash cycle with HOT water wash, when finished I leave top of washer open to 'air out' and air dry * sour dryer - rare, but a build up of lint in exhaust tube..smells can liger, especially if damp If not those issues..maybe water source? well water? or heavily soiled clothes??? Good luck...
      to carol" aria-label='Reply to this comment to carol'>Reply to this comment
    • Debbie

      February 15, 2016 at 7:43 am

      Hi Erin, have you tried cleaning your washing machine? My clothes were smelling terrible at one point and after running my washer through two cleaning cycles it went away. I used something off the shelf but that was before I was more in tuned to natural solutions. Perhaps you can find a good recipe that will help.
      to Debbie" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Debbie'>Reply to this comment
  4. Debra Schramm

    January 13, 2016 at 2:28 pm

    Do you personally use the diffuser that the above link is for? I've been looking for one and can't decide which one to order.
    to Debra Schramm" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Debra Schramm'>Reply to this comment
  5. Cynthia

    January 14, 2016 at 12:50 am

    I have tried so many things to get rid of my static cling issue, I've used the dryer balls and essential oils but still had static. I even tried adding aluminum balls to fight the static but still have an issue. Do you have any suggestions?
    to Cynthia" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Cynthia'>Reply to this comment
    • Toni Rinehart

      January 22, 2016 at 8:14 am

      Hi Cynthia – I have not tried it, but I have heard putting 3-6 tablespoons of Himalayan Rock Salt into a cotton drawstring bag and then placing the bag in with the wet clothes will help. Good luck :)
      to Toni Rinehart" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Toni Rinehart'>Reply to this comment
      • Diane

        December 8, 2016 at 6:56 pm

        You can add vinegar or Epson salt to your rinse cycle. I also set my drier to the lowest dry cycle. Seems to help.
        to Diane" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Diane'>Reply to this comment
    • Danielle

      November 15, 2016 at 10:54 pm

      I have read that placing a few clothes pins (wooden with metal clips) will reduce the static from nylon, rayon type clothing that produce static. The metal band on the clip actually attracts the static before it can cling to your clothes. I beleive you can place them inside something like a sock or bag to prevents the clunky noises.
      to Danielle" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Danielle'>Reply to this comment
  6. Arlene

    February 3, 2016 at 8:39 pm

    I was happy to burn a lead free candle from Bath and Body, but was wondering about the smell. I may reconsider using it. I also bought a soy candle, but was wondering about the GMO....I will be taking it back. Thank you for the great info!
    to Arlene" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Arlene'>Reply to this comment
  7. Madelyn

    September 26, 2018 at 1:56 pm

    I use wool dryer balls already, but have already been hesitant to add essential oils because I fear staining the clothes? Have you experienced this? And is this safe for the dryer? Ours is brand new and my husband would throw a fit if I broke it :)
    to Madelyn" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Madelyn'>Reply to this comment
    • Deliciously Organic

      September 28, 2018 at 12:30 pm

      I haven't had any issues with the oils on the wool dryer balls staining clothes. And yes, they are safe for the dryer as they are designed for the dryer. I've been using them for years and haven't had any issues!
      to Deliciously Organic" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic'>Reply to this comment
  8. Bella

    December 11, 2019 at 8:30 am

    I know this is an older post, but just wondering what your take is on Scentsy. They claim to be non-toxic. Also because the wax is just warmed and doesn’t actually burn, it’s not supposed to release anything harmful. A friend recently started selling it and I want to support her, but don’t know enough about it! Unfortunately, when I Googled it I found information for and against it.
    to Bella" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Bella'>Reply to this comment

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Hi, I’m Carrie Vitt, FNTP
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Through unprocessed, organic food and detox I’ve reversed Hashimoto’s disease, chronic migraines, IBS and eczema.

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