[Angel]

I know these are popular but the truth is they do use more energy for very little benefit. In fact several insurance companies are warning against their use as a fire risk. Personally I also wonder about the health risk...I always feel as if they are taking the lining off the inside of my nose, they are so strong. I believe there are chemicals including anaesthic type stuff in them so it isn't simply a nice smell wafting around.

opinons please = for or against plug in air fresheners for the environment.

[Timetrvlr]

I tried using one in my room when I worked in a mining camp up north. I wanted to kill the odor of old tobacco smoke left in the room from the previous tenant. It did that but was overpowering, I couldn't sleep in the room until it was aired out. I haven't used one since.

Some recommend baking soda to absorb odors and it does to some extent. I mix in some with the kitty litter for my cat and that seems to control that odor. I've read that a canister of charcoal absorbs room odors better than soda but I've never tried it.

[EviesEarth]

I do not care for any of those air fresheners. They bother my allergies too much. Agreed with the baking soda. That and some fresh air seem to work great for most odors. Sometimes I like to make my own freshener by adding essential oils to a spray bottle filled with water. Then I mist the room.

[horselover]

I find that they don't work very well. We have one plugged in by our front entrance to try to mask the drug smell coming from next door, but it doesn't even touch it.

I give up with air fresheners.

[ammulu]

I use mostly in the bath, they really seem to refresh the air inside the room, always used to feel like suffocation when we would enter the rest room but now it seems really fresh in there. Apart from that room, no where else do I seem to use these fresheners.

[horselover]

I really need one in my car. It won't be a plug in, but one that goes on a vent.

[tater03]

Honestly I have used them but was never aware that they use a lot of electricity or were a fire hazard. I am going to have to rethink using them now. Thanks for sharing that.

[Angel]

what a good idea about the baking soda? I take it the cat doesn't mind. How would you use charcoal?

[RFL1986]

I'm not a big fan of these air fresheners and I think that many people just plug them in as a shortcut to not having to clean their homes properly. I didn't know that they were a fire hazard either and that only goes further toward making me not support them.

[Green-Moo]

Anything that plugs into an electrical socket will use power & I'm surprised that there has not been an environmental 'education' campaign against these in the same way that there has been about leaving things on standby.

Personally I find the smell very strong & it makes me headachey so I'll be doubly certain not to use them.