You may already know that fragrances can contain an unknown mixture of potentially harmful chemicals. Here are ten powerful ways to protect yourself from these toxic synthetic fragrances:
How to go fragrance free
1. Avoid air fresheners. They are made with synthetic fragrances, containing phthalates.
2. Watch for any product that lists “fragrance” or “parfum” on the label – these are FDA-approved catch-all words synonymous with hidden phthalates.
3. Products that claim to be “fragrance free” or “unscented” could contain masking agents that give off a neutral odor, so it is best if the word “fragrance” does not appear on the label at all.
4. Look for scents that are naturally derived or are plant-based or labeled as 100% essential oils. These are not the same thing as fragrance oils which are artificially created and contain synthetic chemicals.
5. If a product says “Made with…” it can mean as little as one percent of the ingredients in the bottle.
6. For scented candles, try those made from soy or beeswax, and make sure their fragrance is made from 100% essential oils.
7. To clear the air, use a non-aerosol citrus spray containing only citrus peel extracts, which are effective at dissolving airborne odors, instead of scented aerosol sprays, liquids that emit a continuous scent, or solid air fresheners.
8. Labels that claim a product is “natural” or “biodegradable” do not mean that it is necessarily free of synthetic fragrances or other chemicals.
9. Certified Organic products do not contain synthetic fragrances.
10. Make requests at hotels, car rental companies, dog groomers, schools, and offices to not use scented cleaning products.
