to not understand why people spend money to pollute their homes with pointless chemicals?

I don’t think ‘craft’ businesses are inherently better. You’re putting words in my mouth.

You'd think this was common sense 👏.

But apparently we're all meant to like/dislike the same things.

Wonder if people who avoid these scents also avoid body cream, perfume,
Loo bleach, swimming pools for the chlorine, alcohol, processed food, air travel, car use, etc....
all the stuff that pollutes the environment.

There's always the name calling just because people make different choices, so predictable!

People who use fresheners, eat processed food, drink alcohol or smoke aren't brainless as some have charmingly put it.

Just as an addict knows drugs can kill, they still choose to do it. We have intelligent people in parliament, top of their professions etc taking drugs for one, so being brainless isn't the reason. Nice try.

Most things that are bad for us, we do as they bring us comfort.
So just as no chemicals give you comfort,
it's the reverse for others.

People like different things. It's a choice and unless you're Kim Jon Un, people are free to make their own choices.

I don’t have strong views on the health aspect of artificial air fresheners - after all, as others have pointed out, we all do things that are unhealthy because we like them. I just don’t like the smell!

I like having the air around me and my clothes not to smell of anything much. Then my nose is ‘fresh’, for want of a better term, to appreciate passing smells - a pot of rosemary I just bought from the supermarket, my son’s hair when I cuddle him, the smell of earth when I pot up plants, my nice hand soap, cooking with spices, a freshly poured hoppy beer…

Both DH and eldest DC hate strong smells so even perfume is out in our house unless it’s applied sparingly.
I don’t like air fresheners, but used to love incense sticks which are definitely forbidden in our house. Apparently the cause headaches 😟

So only artificial scents can be used to cover things up?

You can only smell scents you perceive to be 'artificial'?

When I can smell artificial scents like Zoflora, Glade and Fairy scent, I always wonder what nasties they're covering up. They certainly don't smell fresh.

I hate the smell of air freshener in the toilet that someone shat a pine tree stink

I’m old enough to remember when your house was supposed to smell only of furniture polish, flowers, something baking in the oven, fresh coffee.

Unfortunately there was often some bristly old geezer in a tweedy jacket or a beige cardi with eggs stains down the front, stinking it out with pipe tobacco.

(I used to love the smell of pipe tobacco though!)

@KeinLiebeslied54321 asked if it works, if you don't know, why engage.

I've found deterrents don't work unless you spray absolutely everywhere.
They sidestep the bits with lavender and still come in.

Yes ok. To clarify, my post is about the continuous air fresheners, e.g. plug-ins.

Agreed.
The greenwashing marketers love using meaningless scary phrases though.

Same for ‘toxic’. In isolation these terms are meaningless.

Exactly - even water is toxic in large doses.

Natural isn’t necessarily good just as artificial isn’t necessarily bad.

Perfume is sprayed sporadically but air fresheners are continuous so much worse in my opinion.

Not necessarily. Some people only use air freshener once a week or so 🤷‍♀️

Saying something 'is a carcinogen' is kind of pointless if you don't mention dosage/concentration.

I agree OP. They emit toxic chemicals that are linked with health risks, including formaldehyde and benzene which are carcinogens. They are a known cause of indoor air pollution, raising VOCs. They burn my throat and make me feel nauseous. My mother in law loves them and when we I come home after visiting my clothes and hair stink of them. When she brought some home made brownies they actually tasted of Glade plug-in!
Perfume is sprayed sporadically but air fresheners are continuous so much worse in my opinion.

Pretty much everything in existence has a scent anyway - it's just a matter of personal taste whether we like it or not.

Nobody is going to use something they actively dislike if they have another choice. Lots of people are going on about lavender oils but that's one of the smells I can't stand so I'm not going to use it no matter how "good" for the environment it might be, lol.

They woodent sell it if it werent safe, it is tested on five million bunny rabbits first.

I think they're all far too strong (and unnecessary) but some folk really are struggling with 'each to their own' on this thread!

Exactly.

I'd even make a case for sexism when it comes to conscious consumerism.

We often target things women are the primary consumers of.

@tomorrowisanotherdate

Having read all your updates I think your sense of smell works differently to most other people.

Not only do you express how intensely you dislike these smells, you repeatedly state that you can't understand how other people can like these smells. Maybe you actually can't. Maybe they smell differently to you?

It's also unusual hat others liking a smell that you don't should make you so frustrated or even angry.

There’s undoubtedly some (not so hidden) snobbery going - essential oils are acceptable but soy candles aren’t. Expensive soaps (that still use artificial scents) are acceptable but cheaper ones aren’t.

The fairy ones are the best!!

One of the posters insisting on "only natural" on here is on another thread telling everyone about all the ready meals and processed foods she gets for a fiver down the freezer shop, so I'd agree with you.

I don't buy ready meals. I do buy washing powder that has a fragrance. I don't buy anti bac stuff. I do buy perfume. I've never found a natural deodorant that works for me.

As pp says, nobody is perfect.

The only thing that is scientifically true (meeting Brian Cox or not) is that the myths surrounding, perhaps "natural" are far more harmful than any Glade spray ultimately.

"Clean beauty" is the latest, but thankfully a lot of dermatologists are fighting that one.

@tomorrowisanotherdate how do you feel about sunscreen btw?