Are those botanical scented air sprays OK? I tried one lilac scented one on a very small half bath

[CTyankee]

with very small space and it worked fine and I couldn't even smell the lilac. It has a window but we keep it shut for a/c in the summer and warmth in winter.

I remember it used to NOT be ok because of the chemicals in it. Is that all fixed now or not?

[asiliveandbreathe]

1. Can't answer your question..but i love my wallflowers frm Bath and Body Works..

Especially Japanese Cherry blossom and White Citrus..which is always out of stock..i may have to find some Lilac...love that scent...

[CTyankee]

3. Alluva sudden these products are all over the household cleaners aisle. I'm not often there except

for getting my Tide pods a dishwasher pods. The pods are great, no messy liquids or powders. I'm hoping the pods are biodegradable.

[asiliveandbreathe]

5. I am so old fash..i still use straight ammonia...watered down of course..although just bought

"9" to try in shower..I still use liquid for clothes..pods for dishwasher..maybe I'll try washer pods..tried them?.

[CTyankee]

6. I'm afraid of inhaling ammonia. It can't be good for your lungs...

[asiliveandbreathe]

7. What doesn't killa, makes you stronger...kidding of course..I water it down, ..but just

Haveta have clean..I tried lemon pine sol just leaves a film....such a fussbudget...i don't even like the lint left by bounty paper towells..use cheap brand and terry cloth... old towels are golden..

[jmbar2]

2. IMHO, no.

Even though it says natural or botanical, even natural things can do damage. The chemicals in those scent sprays include material to cause the odor molecules to vaporize and disperse quickly and widely. This enables them to enter your nasal passages and lungs easily, where no chemicals should ever go.

In addition, if you have adjoining walls with other residences, it can seep into neighboring dwellings. I went through two years of that, and became so sick from constant exposure that I had to leave a very nice low-rent apartment.

You have probably noticed signs that request people not wear fragrances at the entrances to clinics, theaters, churches, etc. Once people become sensitized to fragrances, as I have, they can react strongly to any exposure with asthma, high blood pressure, allergies, irritated respiratory passages, etc.

I am a worst-case scenario of someone who got overdosed on scents, but there are many of us. If it's just you, and you have no reactions to it, and have no others who can be affected, enjoy it. But if you have neighbors, it might be harmful to them.

It was lovely of you to ask for input. Thanks for letting me vent a bit.

[CTyankee]

4. Thank you for telling me those concerns. Mostly, it's just me and hubby. Age has stopped us from

being as sociable as we used to be.

However, I do not spray that bathroom more than a couple of times a week and it's a spritz, no more. Otherwise, we'd have coughing spells ourselves (and we aren't medically compromised).

[jmbar2]

8. Transient exposure is probably OK

The ones that really make me ill are aromatherapy diffusers. Even since moving, I have another neighbor that uses one and I have to leave all the windows open, and run the kitchen exhaust fan pretty much 24/7. Though it's summer, I am on the coast and living in the open air can get cold.

I am leery now of asking them not to use it because my last neighbors became so militant about their "rights" to continually scent the air, it forced me out of my home. To their utter glee.

[CTyankee]

11. Do flowers have the same effect on you?

[jmbar2]

12. Some do

Some kinds of lilies trigger an allergic reaction, or just smell so strong that I find them unpleasant.
Right now, I have a fresh sprig of rosemary by my desk and it smells lovely - no problem. I also love roses, carnations, etc.

Scent reactivity is generally the result of exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can get into your nose/lungs easily.

Here is a summary of a good article on it from researcher Anne Steinman, one of the leading researchers in this area.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11869-018-0606-0?sfns=mo

And another study
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1352231010001342?via%3Dihub

There are many studies, and more coming out every year.

[CTyankee]

14. Yes, I am aware of this reaction. That's really sad.

Sprays like that could be dangerous to people inhaling it who are allergic.

[Backseat Driver]

9. I'd recommend a diffuser used w/a quality organic essential oil

if you have concerns about toxic chemical additives in mfg. room sprays. Lilac is NOT a true essential oil! It is very rare, expensive, does not carry a strong scent, and isn't available on a regular basis, even by those making it for perfumery blends. As explained here: https://thecrystalgarden.com/product/lilac-essential-oil/

By this alternate method, enfleurage, (here explained: https://cherryvalleylilacs.com/enfleurage) a stronger lilac fragrance might be obtained but I'd be wary of relatively inexpensive claims that you have actually received a true lilac EO with a strong fragrance for your purpose as most are either synthetic, alcohol infusions, or blends of other floral scents to resemble lilac. A strong lilac scent cannot be captured by distillation techniques.

However, I'm sure you'll find another quality organic EO you may prefer and trust to be without toxic chemical preparation, and really enjoy the samplings when finding your favorite.

[nolabear]

10. Be very careful around birds. Febreze, sprays, many diffusers can be deadly.

That in itself makes me disinclined to use them. But I think most are safe for humans w/o respiratory issues and in reasonable quantities.

[jmbar2]

13. Also cats are very sensitive to essential oils

Essential oils can pose a toxic risk to household pets, especially to cats. They are rapidly absorbed both orally and across the skin, and are then metabolized in the liver. Cats lack an essential enzyme in their liver and as such have difficulty metabolizing and eliminating certain toxins like essential oils. Cats are also very sensitive to phenols and phenolic compounds, which can be found in some essential oils. The higher the concentration of the essential oil (i.e. 100%), the greater the risk to the cat.

More...

https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/blog/essential-oils-cats/

[GoneOffShore]

15. We keep bunches of dried lavender in the toilet and bath.