Making Your Home Smell Fresh, Naturally
Many of us can still be the target of synthetic scents which can cause harm.
What are some of the toxic health effects of synthetic scents?
Here are just a few specific, scientifically backed health consequences of synthetic fragrance use:
- Serious disease - avoiding synthetic fragrance is an important factor in prevention with synthetic scents including hormone-disrupting phthalates while another chemical known as styrene is commonly found in cigarette smoke and car exhaust as well as many cleaning products.
- Autism and other defects - phthalates mentioned above is also linked to a variety of birth defects.
- Allergies and neurotoxicity – allergies are common in today’s world and synthetic fragrances make the top ten list of allergens. Allergic reactions include headaches, migraines, respiratory and sinus irritation, dermatitis and more.
- Asthma and respiratory Issues – asthmatics can suffer when exposed to different perfumes, cologne and other artificially scented problems.
How can we change to a more natural way of adding fragrance to our homes?
Here are some suggestions:
- Make up little bundles of spring or summer blooms and display them around the house. Great for the eye as well as the nose! Remember to cut any flowers during the morning when they are filled with sap. Try to choose stems with lots of buds and just one open flower so they last longer in their vase.
- Open doors and windows to bring freshness in while letting stale air leave.
- Add a few drops of our own Lavender Essential Oil to a small open bowl or saucer and leave to spread freshness for days at a time.
- Use a lemon for adding freshness too. Rub half onto a chopping board to get rid of any stains or smells (sprinkle with some salt first) and then pop the other half into your refrigerator as a freshening agent.
- When you strip and launder your bed linen, freshen your mattress at the same time by scattering with half a cup of bicarb mixed with a few drops of that same Lavender Essential Oil. Leave for an hour before vacuuming.
- If pets share your home, then some cleaning tips will help with additional natural freshness. Use a vacuum designed for cleaning pet hairs and more while washable mats will sort out any muddy paws. Tackle any unexpected accidents with a cup of water with a cup of white vinegar and two teaspoon bicarb. Blot dry after five minutes.
- Dealing with dust is easier if you pop an old sock on your hand and gently run it over all surfaces including gaps on stair banisters and those blind slats. Houseplants need a dusting too! A tip for dusting electricals is to use a tumble dryer sheet as they are anti-static so repel dust. Keep any furniture looking and smelling fresh with a natural polish made from one part lemon juice to two parts olive oil or linseed oil.
Our Lavender Essential Oil is 100% pure and natural and of the highest quality. Originating from France, the oil is extracted from Lavandula angustifolia (Lavandula officinalis) by steam distillation using the flower buds.
Lavender oil is one of the most favorite of all essential oils with its different qualities and fresh aroma.
SOURCES:
Benetti, C., et al. (2015). Therapeutic effects of vitamin D in asthma and allergy [Abstract].
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25985947. (Accessed, 2 October 2021).
https://deye.com/the-most-
Improving Indoor Air Quality | AAFA.org
Written by Jane Chitty
Jane writes for Healing Natural Oils, a producer and retailer of high-quality, all-natural treatments for a variety of conditions as well as a range of beauty products. Apart from writing about those various conditions, she also covers general health, environmental and other subjects of interest. She has lived in Kenya as well as Cape Town, South Africa and spent time in San Diego, USA. She now lives in Somerset, England with regular visits from her far-flung children and grandchildren. She is a keen gardener and enjoys growing fresh fruit and vegetables with her husband on their joint allotment. As a result, there is something available to use in the kitchen virtually all year round. Her regular posts can be found on our blog.