Air freshener

[CrazyCatLady]

Has anyone got any good ideas for air fresheners? I want to keep the house smelling nice since moving the foster guinea pigs in!
Either cruelty free (uk) plug in air freshener things, potent flowers (cat friendly), vegan candles etc.
Many thanks xxx

 

[Blobbenstein]

I just spray a bit of Febreze around if anyone visits. I have enough time as they come up the stairs for a little spray...I quite like the smell..supposed to smell like fresh linen I think, and it sort of does.

 

[CrazyCatLady]

I just spray a bit of Febreze around if anyone visits. I have enough time as they come up the stairs for a little spray...I quite like the smell..supposed to smell like fresh linen I think, and it sort of does.

Brill. Do u know if it's cruelty free? Xxx

 

[Blobbenstein]

I don't know.

 

[Blobbenstein]

oh well it seems not.....didn't occur me.

 

[Blobbenstein]

I think I used to have an oil burning oil that smelt a little bit like it....'sea breeze' or something.

 

[Blobbenstein]

I'll have to start looking on Goodness Direct.....I only want a sort of fresh smell spray, not some depressing complicated scent or something.

Sweet Pea oil burning oil used to be quite nice, as well as Sea Breeze.

 

[Blobbenstein]

May be this would do the trick:

http://www.goodnessdirect.co.uk/cgi...abric_Refresher_Organic_Lemongrass_500ml.html

Product Details
Formulated to be the purest, greenest, most effective fabric freshner. Eco Breeze supresses unwanted odors and clears them away. The all natural formular is safe to use in virtually any area where odor control is needed.
It leaves the air noticeably fresh wherever you use it.
Ingredients
Water, cocmaidopropyl, betaine, sodium coco sulphate, cocaidopropylamine oxide, glycerin, grapefruit seed extract, lemon grass oil, phenoxyethenol, citral & benzyl benzoate.
Other Information
Free from Formaldehyde, Petrochemicals, GMO's, Phosphates, Chlorine, Ammonia.
Biodegradable, pH neutral.
Recyclable bottle & cap.
Made from plants
All of Earth Friendly's household cleaning and laundry range is now manufactured with 100% renewable energy.
Not Tested on Animals, Organic, Vegetarian

ETA: I'm personally not keen on the smell of lemons, so maybe not for me.

 

[KLS52]

I bought a white sage smudge stick. You light it then blow it out and it gives off a nice odor. Kind of like incense, which I don't normally like, but this has a lighter scent. I do it whenever the kitties use the litter box if I'm home. The original purpose of a smudge stick is to take away negative energy so it's like a bonus, I guess, lol.

Sometimes I will simmer spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves in a little pan with water on the stove. Love that smell, especially this time of year. But you have to be careful because it can make you very hungry!

 

[thefadedone]

I use everything. Sprays like Febreeze, incense, candles, candle melts, plug ins, cones, and fragrance oils. I like heavily scented things.

 

[SummerRain]

Open the windows!

I really hate febreeze and air fresheners. They smell horrible and I don't trust that it's good for you to breathe in whatever is in them (although, I have no idea about the science behind them and if they are actually bad for your health or not). Besides it always strikes me as one of those unneccesary products that companies just convince you that you need to make money...

But really, if you open you windows for 30min-an hour or so every morning/evening, it'll freshen the place up, your house will smell fresh and natural, and it's free!

Also, get a good litter. My parents use a rabbit-friendly (you need to check, some cat litters have dusty bits that cause lung problems for small animals) cat litter for our house-rabbit, and it is MUCH better than news paper/saw dust in absorbing the smell of urine, he's trained to just use the litter tray. Although if they're fosters that might not be wholly practical, plus I don't know if the same applies to guinea pigs.... but I know rabbits litter train easily because they naturally go in the same place, so if you put urine-soaked litter (or newspaper) and some bunny poo in their litter tray (and put it in the area they most like to use anyway) they pick it up really easily. It'll pretty much prevent any smell and be easy for cleaning up too, and easier for you to let the pet roam about because you don't need to worry about your carpets/sofas!

I like the idea of fragrant house plants, I don't have any, but this website has a list: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/5-fragrant-plants-for-a-small-86631 Lavender is very potent

 

[shyvas]

I have an essentiel oil diffuser.

 

[hungryraccoon]

Definitely best with a diffuser or burner & pure essential oils. A lot of candles & sprays have horrible nasty chemicals in them which you then breathe in. They can be harmful to small animals respiratory systems & also to humans who have asthma. They also give lots of people headaches/migraines.

I got a really cheap oil burner off amazon & you can get essential oil for a good price online too. Or in places like H&B

 

[shyvas]

Definitely best with a diffuser or burner & pure essential oils. A lot of candles & sprays have horrible nasty chemicals in them which you then breathe in. They can be harmful to small animals respiratory systems & also to humans who have asthma. They also give lots of people headaches/migraines.

I got a really cheap oil burner off amazon & you can get essential oil for a good price online too. Or in places like H&B

Especially if you have pets, essentiel oils are really the safest products to use around the home.

 

[LuvOurMother]

I have a mini crockpot I use to scent the air. I put dried herbs or citrus peels or leaves that smell good or flower petals in the crock pot, cover with water and set on low. You can buy scented potpourri and put that in there too, but I really like the natural scents from rosemary, orange peels and the like.

 

[Danielle]

Not sure if it's available in the UK, but Fresh Wave. They have all kinds of products, crystal gels, spray, carpet shake, vacuum pearls, soy candles, etc- http://www.freshwaveworks.com/store/pc/Spray-c3.htm
it says it's safe to use around pets and it has simple ingredients, is eco friendly C:
I really love the smell of the spray

 

[peacefulveglady]

I would do the crock pot deal things and put fresh fruits and herbs and citrus and natural stuff in it, we do have fabreeze we had on hand from a awhile back ago , so using thos up before finding other methods.

 

[shyvas]

The best air fresheners are :

Getting rid of whatever has a bad odour.
Getting in fresh air and airing the place frequently.
Using natural products such as spices, orange peel, lemon juice and essentiel oils.

Sprays, and electrical devices are not echo friendly or healthy.

 

[CrazyCatLady]

Thank you so much for all the ideas.

It's mainly the hay/straw I think that actually smells.

I bought an oil diffuser that has the sticks in it but it's nowhere near powerful enough.

Will try some more of your ideas this week xxx