primitives discuss air fresheners

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1128540

Oh my.

Curmudgeoness (5,726 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

Does anyone use air fresheners?

I do, and I always thought that they were such a waste of money. But with a cat litter box in the house, I feel the need for them.

This morning, I was doing a chore that I occasionally do and thought "people would think I was mad to do this". I use those good old Renuzit air fresheners that you can get for a buck on sale.....but I was always upset that they dried out so fast. One day, I decided to see if they can be rehydrated and continue to work when they were supposed to be replaced. I took the top off of it to see what could be done. I had a heck of a time trying to figure out how to do it---that get had turned hard as a rock.

I ended up putting the bottom part with the hardened gel in a container of water up above where the gel was stuck on the spindle. It softened up really well, and I was able to take all the gel off. I then put it in a nice vase or other container and kept water in it. I have the same gel for years, and it still works. The water that is left in the container that I soaked it in makes a nice simmering scent.

I just hate waste!

Too bad the primitive doesn't hate governmental waste as well, but whatever.....

cbayer (103,171 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

1. I also use the Renuzit ones for $1.

I only open them a crack and they seem to last a really, really long time. By the time mine are done, there isn't much there.

Now, why would a primitive who lives on a sailboat off the coast of California need air fresheners?

Curmudgeoness (5,726 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

2. You would be surprised at how they rehydrate.

Yes, it does look like it is a little bit of hard stuff, but it still has the fragrance in it. And it swells right back up in water.

cbayer (103,171 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

3. I will give it a try.

It's hard to keep a container of water on the boat because, well, things fall over. But i could try a capped jar with some holes in the top.

stuntcat (11,043 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

4. I'll do that ty!

I use that same kind too, having cats and all.

franksolich has cats and all, but franksolich doesn't like the idea of cats inhaling chemicals.

The only odor in this house is ammonia and baking soda.

we can do it (3,614 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

5. Air Fresheners Are TOXIC!

We've talked before about the hazards inherent in air fresheners. The EPA puts it quite poetically: "Air fresheners are usually highly flammable and also strong irritants to eyes, skin, and throat. Additionally, the solid fresheners usually cause death if eaten by people or pets."

Yes, these household helpers -- which became popular in the 1950s, along with perky smiles and perfect apple pies -- contain all manner of harmful ingredients, including formaldehyde, a powerful pesticide called paradichlorobenzene, and phthalates. In short, air "fresheners" actually make our air quality much worse, polluting our space and our bodies. To quote the EPA again, "air fresheners ... release pollutants more or less continuously."

http://www.grist.org/living/2012-01-02-ask-umbra-can-air-fresheners-make-you-sick

this one is good about other indoor pollution, too
http://www.silentmenace.com/-Air_Fresheners_.html

http://greentot.wordpress.com/2008/06/21/air-fresheners-toxic-dangers-and-natural-solutions/

we can do it (3,614 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

6. Make Your Own Pet and Human Safe Air Fresheners

Air Freshener: Commercial air fresheners mask smells and coat nasal passages to diminish the sense of smell.
• Baking soda or vinegar with lemon juice in small dishes absorbs odors around the house.
• Having houseplants helps reduce odors in the home.
• Prevent cooking odors by simmering vinegar (1 tbsp in 1 cup water) on the stove while cooking. To get such smells as fish and onion off utensils and cutting boards, wipe them with vinegar and wash in soapy water.
• Keep fresh coffee grounds on the counter.
• Grind up a slice of lemon in the garbage disposal.
• Simmer water and cinnamon or other spices on stove.
• Place bowls of fragrant dried herbs and flowers in room.

http://eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_solutions.htm

Melissa G (8,833 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

7. If I really want to clean smell my place I use a cleaning product called citrasolv. I sell expensive aromatherapy products. The good stuff.

This product also gets customers asking about the great smell. Makes me laugh...

onestepforward (2,469 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

19. I use essential oils for fragrance

Love them! I have a box fan in my bedroom with an air filter strapped to the back. I'll spritz the filter with a mixture of lavender oil and distilled water and turn it on. It roughly filters the air plus the scent fills the room. It's relaxing to use it before bedtime.

To avoid synthetic chemicals on my skin, I also make my own perfume with essential oils mixed with EverClear in a spray bottle. I make my husband's cologne too.

Melissa G (8,833 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

20. Try some bergamot or orange during the day to enliven and refresh your environment. Lavender is good for cleansing and calming, but a little citrus zest can be a nice energizing change.

pinto (91,959 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

9. Yeah. Windows.

Snark aside, it's doable for me. Live on the CA coast, so open windows are fine most days. Other than that, I keep fresh cuts of herbs- chives, rosemary, thyme, etc. - in water on the counter.

Sometimes I'll simmer cinnamon on the stove if friends are coming over.

That's the other air freshener franksolich uses; opened windows.

Of course, the air's cleaner in red states than in blue states.

Curmudgeoness (5,726 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

11. Yeah, my house is freezing with all the windows locked tight.

Smarty panty! I think it is in the teens or single digits here. And don't you know that fresh cut herbs are out of the question at this time of year too.

But, I get your drift. I also will use cinnamon on the stove sometimes too.

Underwear bummer (4 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

17. Odd that you brought the subject up as i was just thinking of this

I won't usually buy those things, but for some reason when I date a new girlfriend i like to buy a few of those those strawberry "Car Freshners". is a smell that never fails to make me happy.

here: http://www.shoprite.com/pd/CarFreshner/Air-Freshener-Strawberry/3-ct/076171320124/

Sure they've probably got terrible chemicals in them but I haven't developed a truly bad reaction to them yet. And if the new relationship works out it keeps a nice memory of our first date. Scents tend to activate long term memory.

Now that i don't drive I just keep them at home.

Besides that i am very thrifty. A one room studio apt when in the city. And live off the grid when i go to my country land which is mostly undeveloped. Low impact construction. i do wish the coyotes would pay some rent to me however.

My first post btw.

Curmudgeoness (5,726 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

18. Woohoo! Your first post, and to me!!!

I am honored. Welcome aboard. 

I don't think that my solution to the dried out gel fresheners will be helpful to you with the car fresheners, but we never know if you can devise a way to get more mileage out of those too. Personally, I don't really like those ones since they seem to be too strong and they overwhelm me, but we all have different tastes. If you can find a way to save us all money on those types, do let us know.

otohara (19,811 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

24. I Just Hate Fragrances

even those without carcinogens.

I think they should be renamed - as they do nothing to freshen the air.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS
NOTE: The acute health effects described below are those which could potentially occur for the finished product. They are based on the toxicology information available for the finished product and/or each hazardous ingredient, and are consistent with the product type and the likelihood of a specific route of exposure. Known chronic health effects related to exposure to a specific ingredient are indicated.
EYE CONTACT: May cause irritation.
SKIN CONTACT: Repeated or prolonged excessive exposure may cause irritation and allergic contact dermatitis.
INGESTION: Not an anticipated route of exposure given the nature of the finished product. Nonetheless, ingestion may cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and lethargy. Ingestion of large quantities may be harmful.
INHALATION: Vapors may cause irritation of the nose, throat, and respiratory tract. Breathing high vapor concentrations may produce anesthetic effects, nausea, dizziness, headache.
MEDICAL CONDITIONS GENERALLY RECOGNIZED AS BEING AGGRAVATED BY EXPOSURE: Persons with preexisting respiratory conditions.

[Celtic Rose]

Using air fresheners to cover up bad smells just seems really dirty to me.  I just clean the cat box regularly, usually twice a day, and add a little more litter each time.  No smells, and it is in my tiny bathroom. 

I do use scented candles, but those are to add a nice scent to my apartment, not to cover up a bad one. 

[Skul]

Why doesn't she just IM the StinkDUde?
Find out what sporkly puts in there for him.

[JohnnyReb]

Solution: Shoot cat, throw out litter box....Oh...and be sure to throw out dead cat.









 

[LC EFA]

I never let my cat shit in the house.

Of course the downside to this is when you're mowing the lawn and encounter a freshly laid cat mine.

If you think cat nuggets are bad - just wait till you vaporise one with the lawn mower.

Also - Air fresheners just make your house smell like a flower shop that was host to an occupooper rally.

[Delmar]

I love a house that smells like the power of Pine-Sol.

[Ballygrl]

I'm obsessed with odors, I use 2 air purifiers on the 1st level of the house, I also use in the house gel odor neutralizing beads, I also use those containers that have odor neutralizing gels in them, they last like 3 months, and I use the plugins like Glade and Airwick. Just an FYI, Aldi's sells the refills that fit both Glade and Airwick, it's cheaper to buy it there unless the regular Grocery Store has a sale on it and I have coupons for it. I also use Candles regularly.

[Ballygrl]

Oh, I just purchased Lavender Essential Oil, there are so many uses for it it seems, and 1 of them is putting a drop in your humidifier which I use in the bedroom, we'll see if it makes the room smell nice.

[Skul]

Oh, I just purchased Lavender Essential Oil, there are so many uses for it it seems, and 1 of them is putting a drop in your humidifier which I use in the bedroom, we'll see if it makes the room smell nice.

OMG!!1! How many cats do you own??2?

[Ballygrl]

OMG!!1! How many cats do you own??2?

None LOL, I'm allergic to them. I just hate odors, and I probably go a little overboard.

[diesel driver]

None LOL, I'm allergic to them. I just hate odors, and I probably go a little overboard.

Just a smidge... 

I'll go hide now...   

[AprilRazz]

I like using those scented oil candles. Bought the apple cinnamon once and poor DH came home and started looking for the pie he thought I made.

But we have had up to 8 cats in the house (we foster for a local rescue) and you could never smell the litter boxes. Probably because we clean them every day.

[Ballygrl]

I like using those scented oil candles. Bought the apple cinnamon once and poor DH came home and started looking for the pie he thought I made.

They do smell good, i use either apple or cinnamon in the kitchen, and usually use vanilla or my favorite cranberry chutney from Yankee candle in the living room.

[Celtic Rose]

I like using those scented oil candles. Bought the apple cinnamon once and poor DH came home and started looking for the pie he thought I made.

But we have had up to 8 cats in the house (we foster for a local rescue) and you could never smell the litter boxes. Probably because we clean them every day.

I got some apple cinnamon ones on sale after Christmas, they do smell nice

[AprilRazz]

I got some apple cinnamon ones on sale after Christmas, they do smell nice

They have a new 2 in 1 that is apple cinnamon and creamy custard.

[Rebel]

I bought one of these automatic air fresheners from Wal-Mart. Cost 3.50, plus whatever the canister cost and it accepts most. The glade apple cinnamon canister was about 4.50 and I have it set for 30 minute intervals. Takes 3 AA's. Works very well. Got tired of buying candles.