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The Daily Insight

What is Febreze made of?

Author

Rachel Fowler

Updated on February 22, 2026

The active ingredient is produced from corn cobs. The use of cyclodextrin as a sprayable odor absorber was patented by Procter & Gamble. The products include additional ingredients such as emulsifiers, preservatives, and perfumes. Benzisothiazolinone is a preservative included in some of the products.

What are the main ingredients in Febreze?

Ingredients from the label

  • Nitrogen. NITROGEN.
  • Alcohol. ETHANOL.
  • Hydrogenated Castor Oil. HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL.
  • Fragrance.
  • Dialkyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate. Dialkyl Sulfosuccinates.
  • Polyacrylate. SODIUM POLYACRYLATE.
  • Sodium Citrate.
  • Sodium Hydroxide. SODIUM HYDROXIDE.

Are Febreze air fresheners Toxic?

Febreze contains chemicals linked to neurotoxicity, which means the chemicals are poisonous to the nerves or nerve cells. Febreze contains chemicals that irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs.

What was Febreze originally made for?

The world's best marketer – P&G launched a brand called Febreze in the US in 1996 as a spray that could remove bad smells from almost any fabric. The spray had been created when one of the P&G scientists was working with a substance called hydroxypropyl beta cyclodextrin (HPBCD).

What toxic chemicals are in Febreze?

Febreze Ingredients

BHT – Known as a neurotoxin, endocrine disruptor, immunotoxicity, non-reproductive organ system toxicity, skin eye and lung irritator. Acetaldehyde – Known to cause cancer, toxic to reproduction and development, immunotoxin, non-reproductive organ system toxin, skin, eye and lung irritator.

Can Febreze Air Effects really eliminate odors? | Consumer Reports

What can I use instead of Febreze?

The absolute simplest way to make a homemade Febreze substitute is to mix fabric softener and water and pour into a spray bottle. You can vary the ratio depending on how strong a smell you want, but most recipes call for one part fabric softener and two to three parts water.

What is the safest air freshener?

4 Of the Best Non-Toxic Plug-In Air Fresheners for Your Home

  • Scent Fill. ...
  • Enviroscent. ...
  • Airomé ...
  • Aura Cacia. ...
  • Aura Cacia Aromatherapy Car Diffuser. ...
  • Plant Therapy Portable Diffuser with Travel Pack. ...
  • Plant Therapy Multi-Crystal Carfresh Diffuser.

Is Febreze safe?

Procter & Gamble says, “Our entire line of Febreze products is safe for use around both humans and pets when used according to the label instructions.” But air fresheners and other volatile organic compounds can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, a reason for people with respiratory problems to use other means to ...

What does Febreze stand for?

The name Febreze is a portmanteau of the words "fabric" and "breeze". The name is a popular example of the Mandela effect, with many people claiming to remember the name being previously spelled "Fabreeze", despite there being no indication or evidence of the product name having actually been changed.

Does Febreze work on urine?

The fresh scent of Febreze means it eliminates urine odors. This formula is safe to use on area rugs, carpet, upholstery, and similar soft surfaces. We formulated it with biodegradable detergents and left out the heavy metals, phosphates and dyes, so it's earth friendly.

Is Febreze chemical free?

Febreze products don't contain phthalates, formaldehyde or flammable propellants, which is great. That having been said, many Febreze air freshener products score a “C” or “D” according to the Environmental Working Group. Most other air and fabric freshener brands don't fare as well.

Does Febreze have formaldehyde in it?

Formaldehyde has been linked to everything from skin irritation to asthma to cancer. As mentioned earlier, some Febreze products now explicitly state that they're made without formaldehyde. But even products that don't contain formaldehyde as an ingredient can contain what are called formaldehyde-releasers.

Is Febreze spray toxic to dogs?

Internet mailing lists frequented by dog owners recently reported that a Procter & Gamble cleaning product is dangerous to pets, but the company, the National Animal Poison Control Center, and the American Veterinary Medical Association said that the reports are false.

How do you make homemade Febreze?

Mix 2 tablespoons of vodka and a few drops of essential oil in a spray bottle. Fill up your spray bottle the rest of the way with distilled water. Shake it, then spray it!

Does Febreze eliminate odors or just cover them up?

Febreze Fabric Spray does not remove the odor molecules but it does trap them and prevent their detection until they can be eliminated by a thorough cleaning. When Febreze is sprayed on a fabric, water in the formula causes the odor molecules to begin dissolving.

Does Febreze disinfect?

Febreze® Sanitizing Fabric Refresher eliminates odors trapped in fabrics and freshens; it's not a 'cover-up' product. The product sanitizes and kills 99.9% of bacteria** on soft surfaces. It also prevents mold growth* on soft surfaces for up to 14 days.

How long does Febreze stay in the air?

About 45 minutes. It depends on how the smell of the room was before but usually for over 2 hours. The plug-ins last longer because they're constantly being used.

Does Febreze have ammonia in it?

Nope! Febreze AIR uses a 100% natural nitrogen propellant. Nitrogen works in Febreze as a non-flammable propellant—and is a natural part of the air we breathe (vs.

Why are you not supposed to shake Febreze?

(Nitrogen makes up about 78% of the air that we breathe and allows for a water-based spray instead of a hydrocarbon-based one.) This allows the bottles to hold a lot more. Shaking a Febreze bottle isn't unsafe, but it will cause you to run out of propellant sooner.

Which is better Febreze or Glade?

If you're looking to infuse a fresh scent into a room, Glade does the trick. It's a reliable brand with a large variety of scent options. What is this? But if you're actually trying to reduce foul odors while also adding fresh scent, Febreze is the best option.

What air freshener is not toxic?

If you're looking for an alternative to those extremely fragrant yet toxin-laden Air Wick plug-ins, Scent Fill is your answer. These are actually the only non-toxic plug-ins that I've been able to find, yet they will fit into your standard Air Wick that plugs into your wall, which is super convenient.

How can I make my house smell good without chemicals?

  1. Open a Window and Catch the Breeze. The simplest trick is to simply open a window or door and let some fresh air in, especially when the weather is nice. ...
  2. Boil Cinnamon. ...
  3. Clean With Fruit. ...
  4. Make Your Own Room Spray. ...
  5. Bake Something. ...
  6. Flowers. ...
  7. Grind Coffee. ...
  8. Make Herb Sachets.

What's a natural air freshener?

Baking soda and vinegar are the two best all natural air fresheners you can make and spray all over your house and car. But they're not the only way to deodorize and impart fresh scents in your environment.

Why do you put baking soda in homemade Febreze?

If you use the beads, make sure they're completely dissolved in the water as well. The fabric softener and baking soda are equally important in this recipe, because whereas the baking soda will help to absorb odors, the fabric softener will make everything smell great.