Plug in Smells, Glade, Essential Oil Diffusers

anotheruser

Are they any good?
We don't have a particularly smelly house and nobody smokes but I've been thinking about getting some sort of diffuser for a while.

Downside is that they cost money to run.
Upside is that it may create nice smells, which we can change.

Any thoughts on these? 

RelievedSheff

We have one of the Ambi Pur Febreeze plug in fresheners in the hallway of our new build. One came with the welcome hamper that we received when we moved in so we have just kept on using it and refilling it.

We have reed diffusers in the bathrooms which don't cost anything to run and smell nice and fresh. They last a lot longer than the plug in type as well.

EssexExile

anotheruser said:

Are they any good?
We don't have a particularly smelly house and nobody smokes but I've been thinking about getting some sort of diffuser for a while.

Downside is that they cost money to run.
Upside is that it may create nice smells, which we can change.

Any thoughts on these? 

The niceness of the smell created is a matter of opinion!

AbbyCarr98

My recommendation is to go to your local discount shops, e.g B&M, Home Bargains etc and see which types they sell there. We have a lot of the Glade Plug In types and Sense and Sprays, but haven’t always found it easy to find the refills at a reasonable cost (sometimes £4 a pop!). I don’t find they actually last that long, the days that it advertises isn’t based on having the plug in turned on 24/7. In the fine print it’s more like 12 hours a day on the lowest setting. Oil diffusers are probably more expensive for an initial outlay, but will be cheaper to refill and are probably better for you. The standard plug ins for example can be quite harmful to animals if that applies to you.

Doozergirl

EssexExile said:

anotheruser said:

Are they any good?
We don't have a particularly smelly house and nobody smokes but I've been thinking about getting some sort of diffuser for a while.

Downside is that they cost money to run.
Upside is that it may create nice smells, which we can change.

Any thoughts on these? 

The niceness of the smell created is a matter of opinion!

This.  Most of the branded ones smell like chemicals.  They often set me off sneezing and I think it's accepted that they contain carcinogens? 

Essential oil diffusers would be better, but you don't just plug them in and forget about them, you have to decide when you want to enjoy the experience.   They cost more as well.  

Rosa_Damascena

Honestly, for day to day use I wouldn't bother. Fake smells have been associated with ill health, including depressive disease. 

Fresh air is best. Failing that you can light a scented candle when you are expecting guests (although it's my belief that these are the next frippery to be vilified) - readily available from Poundland etc.

carefullycautious

I am another one who cannot tolerate breathing in the chemicals emitted via plug ins. I use Neutradol gel odour removers and they really do work well. I also use aromatherapy oils in a burner occasionally

twopenny

They made me feel quite ill and I know now when I'm in a house with one. The smell makes my throat and nose sore. The smells are so artificial. Also I wonder what people are trying to cover up!

I found the best thing was a bit of fabric conditioner (fragrance of your choice) in a small pretty bowl/bottle or vase. It makes the house smell of fresh air dried laundered washing.

Another is a few drops of essential oil on cotton wool in a potpouri box if you want a sweeter smell. Lemon or orange is good but there's a whole raft like Cedar or my favourite Sandalwood. I even put a few drops on the carpet near the front door.

[Deleted User]

Doozergirl said:

EssexExile said:

anotheruser said:

Are they any good?
We don't have a particularly smelly house and nobody smokes but I've been thinking about getting some sort of diffuser for a while.

Downside is that they cost money to run.
Upside is that it may create nice smells, which we can change.

Any thoughts on these? 

The niceness of the smell created is a matter of opinion!

This.  Most of the branded ones smell like chemicals.  They often set me off sneezing and I think it's accepted that they contain carcinogens? 

Essential oil diffusers would be better, but you don't just plug them in and forget about them, you have to decide when you want to enjoy the experience.   They cost more as well.  

Essential oil diffusers can be toxic to cats.  Certain oils breathed in and licked off their fur can poison and kill them.

I agree with the posters who say that the diffusers smell bad - and they also make me sneeze too.

RelievedSheff

Just realised what else we have. We have some bowls of scented pine cones in the kitchen and living room. Bought them last Christmas and they still smell lovely. Not as strong as they were when we bought them. We will get some more before too long I think.

kdotdotdotdot

Whether essential oils, or the plug-in kind, or the reed diffuser type, many of these scents contain limonene, which in itself is naturally derived and you'll find it in cleaning products etc, but in aerosol form, turns nasty very quickly.  There's also the issue that a number of these don't agree with pets - limonene in particular can kill cats.  My main source for this was a documentary some years ago, but this article touches on effects on pets: http://www.mpcoftexas.com/public/Five_Essential_Oils_You_Want_To_Avoid_In_Pets.cfm