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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that constantly breathing in the fumes from wax melts can’t be good for you?

71 replies

AngusDuck · 17/02/2020 20:58

Constantly see people banging on about wax melts on Facebook at the moment, pushing their MLM products or home made stuff, and whilst I’m sure it’s lovely to have a nice fragrant home, surely it can’t be good for you to be constantly breathing that stuff in? I’m asthmatic and just the thought of being in an environment where I was always breathing in scented stuff makes me feel funny. So I might be being unreasonable, but just wondering if anyone feels the same way?

OP posts:
OlaEliza · 17/02/2020 21:00

It isnt.

Original poster
AngusDuck · 17/02/2020 21:01

Have just realised that I use the word constantly far too much. Apologies.

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 17/02/2020 21:02

Urgh yes. All the chemically scents too, plug ins, Febreze etc. Just open a window.

Crazyoldmaurice · 17/02/2020 21:06

The fragrance from wax melts/candles/plug ins give me such a headache since having kids, used to have a few candles previously but cant stand them now. What ever happened to just opening a window?

WhoWants2Know · 17/02/2020 21:08

I find it hard to find ways to make my house smell nice, but agree that those chemicals can't be great.

(Opening a window doesn't always do it though. Especially if I've been cooking broccoli or cabbage)

Sometimes I will toss some citrus peels and rosemary in a pan to simmer and that helps.

missmouse101 · 17/02/2020 21:08

Without a doubt it's bad to inhale chemicals like that and I totally agree with PP about air freshener sprays etc and how bad they must be for you.

Original poster
AngusDuck · 17/02/2020 21:09

So many of my friends use these things and have babies/young children in their houses. I find the idea of children breathing that stuff in really worrying but it doesn’t seem to occur to them that it might be a problem. I open all our windows for a while every day, no matter how cold it is!

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 17/02/2020 21:10

I don't know how people can have a car air freshener either. I had my car cleaned and they put one in. I had to pull over and wrap it up, my eyes were stinging and awful headache.

Original poster
AngusDuck · 17/02/2020 21:11

If anyone thinks I’m being unreasonable, please let me know why you think that. Would be interested if anyone can offer up evidence/studies that show that these products aren’t toxic?

OP posts:
Original poster
AngusDuck · 17/02/2020 21:13

Zoflora is another product I cannot tolerate. I know it’s very popular but the smell makes me ill.

OP posts:
adaline · 17/02/2020 21:14

Opening a window doesn't help when you live down the road from a cattle farm Grin

woodencoffeetable · 17/02/2020 21:16

they are pretty bad, especially if you have asthma.

AudacityOfHope · 17/02/2020 21:20

I keep seeing an advert for 'mist' - breathe out stress, breathe in mist.

Er, no thanks! Inhale chemicals into your lungs at every breath? Confused

enjoyingscience · 17/02/2020 21:23

I think it’s going to be a health scandal in years to come. There’s no studies into the long term effects - who knows what they’re doing. Not just candles, but all the air freshener/diffuser/plug in whatever’s.

soleilviolet · 17/02/2020 21:24

City air is no better.

SingingSands · 17/02/2020 21:24

YANBU all these things are unnecessary and can make some people really ill. Don't start me on Zoflora, it gives me the rage.

Nat6999 · 17/02/2020 21:25

I always buy the soy wax ones, they are supposed to be okay.

Drivemybluecar · 17/02/2020 21:28

I can’t light candles as the smell from them makes my head hurt and makes me feel sick. I would hate to think what the smell from those things would do.

Purpleartichoke · 17/02/2020 21:31

you won’t find any studies showing their real safety.

They are a problem for people with asthma and certain allergies. They are one of the reasons I have to carry epipens

EvaHarknessRose · 17/02/2020 21:32

I think there's some studies linking air freshener to depression

Gfplux · 17/02/2020 21:37

I hate all of these “air fresheners” one day they may discover they have been poisoning the air and therefore people.

BillywigSting · 17/02/2020 21:37

Yanbu

I got some for Christmas and lit them once for about 20 minutes.

If I can't open a window I find having a clean house and burning a couple of unscented tea lights neutralises odours. It doesn't make my house 'fragrant' as in it doesn't smell perfumed but it certainly doesn't smell bad. Not even after being out of it for 14 hours and not being nose blind to it anymore.

All of those chemical air fresheners /candles etc give me a thumping headache though.

I'm not convinced the 'natural', ie, incense, essential oil burners etc are any better either. They're still volatile chemicals you're breathing in.

millymae · 17/02/2020 21:38

I thought this was going to be a thread about Mrs Hinch - she appears to be obsessed with them.
To be fair I don’t know what type she uses but in her shoes with a baby and a dog I don’t think I would be lighting them as often as she does.
I’m not a great fan of air fresheners of any type, but I will admit to lighting a nice scented candle occasionally.

CoolcoolcoolcoolcoolNoDoubt · 17/02/2020 21:40

Say it louder for the people in the back OP 👏🏻

Glad to see most people agree as well!

Forgetfebuary · 17/02/2020 21:40

I live on a busy main road and purchased an air purifier 3 months ago. I switch it off on every now and again and the light is always green telling me the air quality is good.. Tonight we lit candles and it turned on automatically abd went red then orange and green.. It's not fancy either I've never seen it do that...