Alernatives to fabric freshner sprays??

Ben84

Products like Febreeze contain lots of dubious ingredients and are a common cause of headaches and breathing problems. I've had negative effects myself, including chronic nosebleeds from neutradol pots (also happens when I visit people who use it so I'm pretty sure of the link). I wouldn't say they freshen or clean the air either, they just add more stuff to old air.

House plants are the best air cleaners available I think, they produce actual genuine fresh air, they can be very cheap, can be easy to look after, last years and largely consume just tap water. I have one or two plants in every room and the air in this house is very fresh and clean smelling.

I do also open windows for at least a few minutes each day.

lollipopsarah

How about the little pellet things you bung in the hoover which smell nice as you go along, or some shakey vac stuff - put some in the hoover not on the carpet as it's so strong.
As for a room spray/freshener, I got a lovely tip the other week, just buy a cheap bottle of disinfectant, whatever smell you prefer (i'm using a lavender one) and put a few drops on some cotton wool then pop on the radiator - I've put it in some small shot glasses and topped up with a little water, which are sitting on the radiator and as it warms up it smells divine, not strong enough to make your eyes water and also means that when it dries out it moistures your room too, and you can top up again later.
I suppose you could also do the same by putting a few drops in a spray bottle with water too.
xx

Evil_Olive

I sprinkle tesco value bio washing powder (£2.52 for 3KG & smells lovely) which I use for washing my whites anyway, on the carpet instead of shake'n'vac then leave it for at least 1/2 hour (or preferably overnight) then hoover it up - freshens the air too as it goes into the vacuum. Works even better if you can be bothered to brush it into the carpet with a soft, clean, dustpan brush after sprinkling.

I found this is great to do after a pet or vomit accident, to get rid of any lingering odour after cleaning.

For freshening fabrics (curtains, sofas, clothes etc) I use dilute fabric conditioner (the value/smartprice brands are fine) in an old spray bottle.

Eenymeeny

I use Zoflora, just a few drops in a big spray bottle (very dilute!) for all sorts of things. Old tumble dryer sheets or cut-up Jcloths, sprayed and hung over radiators give a lovely fragrance when the heating is on. I've used it as an ironing spray if something was a bit musty or to freshen up winter curtains. I don't like a strong smell and open the windows every day but find the 'cool and fresh' one very pleasant. I also keep some, mixed with water, in one of those squirty bottles with a nozzle (salvaged from a well-rinsed hair colouring kit) for a quick freshen-up and disinfect of toilets and washbasins.