Alternatives
Posted by smculp on November 6, 2008
Considering the harm air fresheners have on the environment and your health, they should be discarded for safer, more earth-friendly alternatives. Some obvious, and less harmful, alternative air fresheners that can be found anywhere are:
Potpourri- just dry your own flowers, add a cinnamon stick, lavender, or whatever combination you like.
Dried Herbs- can keep clothes fresh smelling; add scented oil for a stronger scent.
Pomanders- made with an orange or lemon and cloves, these scented balls keep their scents for long periods of time. See Pecuniarities on how to make these harmless air fresheners!
Sweet Grass- if you live in the Charleston area, a great local, natural air freshener is sweet grass. Native to the Lowcountry, these fragrant leaves can be dried, braided, and turned into baskets. Burn them dried as incense, keep them braided in drawers and closets, or keep baskets around the house. Baskets and leaves can be found down Market Street or the Farmer’s Market in Marion Square, or buy seeds and grow your own sweet grass in a long, shallow flower box. Sweet Grass is extremely winter hardy as they go dormant to the roots during cold weather, so no green thumb is needed! For more information on Sweet Grass, visit Ecoseeds.
Here are some more alternatives to air fresheners and how to make them: essortment.
