How to create a private label / white label air freshener

Do you dream of creating your own air freshener so that it is branded with your brand and your logo?

I suggest some simple steps to make the whole process go smoothly and quickly.

The first and most important question: for what purpose do you need such an air freshener?

If you are looking for an air freshener to give out to your customers as a promotional gadget - go straight to a company that produces such ordinarily paper air fresheners. You will probably already be able to make your choice of shape on their website and send them your logo.

However, if you are looking for refreshers that you intend to market and sell successfully, keep reading.

 

Creating a private label product is a complicated process, to make it as simple as possible, start by choosing the right first product. Check which air fresheners sell best, remembering that value is important, not quantity. Therefore, I encourage you to browse the available air fresheners and look for something more attractive than a typical paper air freshener. It can be a sachet, bottle or organic - the effect will always be better than a standard paper air freshener.

Paper air fresheners, sachet air fresheners, scented bottle air fresheners, organic air fresheners, all other solutions

 

The steps for finding the type of your first custom air freshener should include:

  1. type of air freshener (paper, bottle, sachet, gel, wood)
  2. fragrance versions - those that are the best-selling on your market, I suggest limiting yourself to no more than 5 fragrance versions
  3. your product positioning on the market - do you want your air freshener to be better and more expensive than the ones currently available, identical or just cheaper.
  4. your monthly sales plan, that is how many units of your air freshener you can sell per month

If you already know the answer to these 4 questions you can start your search for a manufacturer.

The search for the right manufacturer as usual starts on the internet. Before submitting a request, carefully review the manufacturer's website evaluating if:

  1. it has experience in manufacturing private label air fresheners.
  2. its location - the country of origin of your air fresheners

Now you can send inquiries. Send them in any form you like, but always state what you're looking for in the query - your answers to the first 4 questions.

 

Choosing a manufacturer

You have already sent inquiries and are getting first responses and quotes. At this stage do not decide yet on the choice of the supplier.

Ask for samples of agreed fragrance versions - this is where the first costs come in on your side - it will be the cost of sending the samples to you, the samples themselves you will probably get for free.

Test the samples you receive - now you know what to expect from each potential manufacturer.

Now is the time to detail your ideas for your own air freshener with the cost of changes and additional work on the part of the manufacturer. Now you will receive the final offer and price.

Now, make sure that you get support from the manufacturer in developing and checking the text of your label to make sure that it complies with the current legislation in your target markets - this is extremely important as, for example, in Europe you cannot sell air fresheners that do not have a REACH compliant label description. Ask for the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) and see what regulations it is based on. Also check carefully whether the manufacturer you are talking to really produces anything. For example, if it comes from Europe, can it issue a EUR1 certificateA good way to verify is to make an appointment at the manufacturer's facility - if you have time, you go, if not - nothing happens. Those who won't confirm an appointment usually have something to hide.

Lead time - the time it takes to produce your air freshener. This always takes time. Better to wait a week longer and confirm all the details twice than to get a product that does not fully meet your expectations! Take your time and the final effect will depend on it. A good manufacturer will guide you and ask the right questions or suggest their proven solutions for packaging, transportation, and labeling of the bulk packaging.

 

You already know everything, you can now choose a supplier and place your order!

 

Author: Waldemar Stasiak - ELiX Founder

Copyright © by ELiX Ltd.

How to effectively get rid smoke smell at home

The winter season is a typical time when the unpleasant smell of smoke coming out of heating devices appears in houses.

Heating devices that are used for heating purposes are:

There are many proven industrial methods such as water absorption, ozone, thermal oxidation or masking. Unfortunately, it is not possible to use them at home.

Due to the source of the odor of smoke at home, we can distinguish:

 How to effectively get rid of the smell of smoke

Air recuperation system

Installation of the recuperation system with heat recovery is the most effective method of dealing with the smell of smoke in the house. Such system provides fresh, filtered air from outside. Additionally, thanks to the fact that the air removed from the house heats the blown-in air, we minimize the losses resulting from the need for heating. The efficiency of such devices is at the level of 80%, which means that they are able to recover up to 80% of heat. More on this topic: Heat recovery ventilation - Wikipedia

Smoke odor neutralization

There are air fresheners available on the market, thanks to which smoke particles change their properties and cease to be annoying. Most good air fresheners in antitobacco spray can be used here. The most commonly used keywords are: absorber, odor neutralizer, odor eliminator. Such measures, in addition to neutralizing the odor of smoke, give the room a smell, whether they are air fresheners with neutralization function. These measures are particularly effective to quickly remove the smell of smoke.

The second group are air fresheners with a continuous process of releasing the active substance. Here, the best solution may be all kinds of reed diffusor air fresheners, where evaporation is continuous. Thanks to this, we will also get rid of the smell that has permanently settled on various surfaces in the house: on the carpet, roller blinds or curtains, the sofa or other furniture.

Ionization and ozone devices

Air ozone devices always additionally filter them. However, due to the rather limited performance of such domestic appliances, they will not be able to effectively remove the odor of smoke.

IMPORTANT

Always remember to use a carbon monoxide sensor. Carbon monoxide does not have an odor, but it can accompany the smoke from a leaking installation. For as little as €10, the device can effectively warn us about the carbon monoxide accompanying the odor of smoke. It is important to think about your safety first and only then about your comfort.

Author: Waldemar Stasiak - ELiX Founder

Copyright © by ELiX Ltd.

How to neutralize unpleasant smells in the kitchen when washing and cleaning no longer helps

How do I get rid of a bad smells in my kitchen?

What to do when we already care about cleanliness and still smell bad smells in my kitchen?

The kitchen is a special place at home. On the one hand we have quite a lot of odorants and on the other hand we prepare meals there and eat them. However, it often happens that cleanliness and hygiene alone is not enough.

Odorants that occur in the kitchen

The kitchen is a specific place, where we have many possible places where unpleasant odors arise:

  1. Cooking and cooking fumes
  2. Fat burnt
  3. Waste garbage bin
  4. Sink's waste pipe
  5. Fridge
  6. Odors of pet food residues
  7. Larder

Due to its important role in the preparation and consumption of meals, the kitchen is a special place. Especially here you should avoid all kinds of artificial air fresheners or chemical, cheap neutralizers or odor absorbers.

Odor neutralizers for the kitchen

Using all kinds of odor neutralizers in the kitchen is like taking a toothache tablet - it temporarily eliminates the effects, but does not remove the problem.

Yes, in special cases it is necessary to use an odor neutralizer. After a thorough reading of the description on such a product (CLP description - allergens), it is best to use a spray neutralizer to temporarily improve the atmosphere. However, I would recommend avoiding permanent neutralizers such as gels, electric neutralizers (plug-in) or automatic dosing systems.

The kitchen is a place where it is especially important to remember that our olfactory system was created in an evolutionary way to save our lives and prevent food poisoning. Cheating this system by introducing a constant dose of the neutralizer is therefore not good for our health!

Kitchen - refresh and keep clean

We can create a beautiful smell in the kitchen in a natural and healthy way. The best and most effective solution is drying fruits in the oven. Low temperature - up to 60 oC during drying will make the fruits (especially citrus fruits) give us the most wonderful, natural aroma. Unfortunately, this method is quite time-consuming and not always possible for everyday use.

So it is best to use a good quality natural air freshener, with constant evaporation, especially reed diffuser / sola flower type or a good quality gel. Always remember to check the description on the package especially the description of allergens.

I do not recommend hot evaporation solutions, i.e. electrical systems (plug-in type) or automatic pressurized sprays. The former because of the way of hot evaporation, which destroys natural essential oils, and the latter because of the possibility of getting a significant amount of air freshener on food products by dosing product particles constantly in the same place (on food?).

Let us remember - the kitchen is the place on which our whole day depends. A good mood in the morning is worth a bit of effort!

Attention to health - Kitchen place especially important

When using air fresheners or odor neutralizers, always check the description on these products carefully! Particularly important is the description of allergens contained in such products. There are no natural air fresheners that do not contain allergens - this is simply not possible. If there is no information about allergens on the air freshener - throw it away immediately. Lack of descriptions usually indicates that we are dealing with a synthetic product or even worse, that the manufacturer is hiding something from us. This topic is described in more detail in Herbal Garden at Home - Always ask for an MSDS card.

Author: Waldemar Stasiak - ELiX Founder

Copyright © by ELiX Ltd.

How to get rid of bad smells at home

Neutralization of unpleasant smells at home is always an important issue. It is not true that the best solution here is to clean frequently and keep it spotless. Unpleasant smells will still enter our home.

The problem is particularly important because we often do not feel the smell of our house ourselves. Only guests can make us aware of the scale of the problem. Why is this happening?

It is a result of adaptation of our senses to the action of stimuli of constant strength - and this is most often the case with smells in our home. In the course of evolution an adaptive mechanism has been developed. This evolutionary invention made it possible to sense and interpret very strong fragrances while remaining sensitive to small changes in intensity. This quick reaction to a change of intensity determined the possibility of getting food, running away from danger or finding a partner. It had to be independent of the intensity of the sensations of constant intensity. In everyday life we encounter such situations very often.

Did you happen to take a cab where the intensity of the air fresheners used there caused a sudden headache (over the pain threshold)? - I assure you that the driver did not feel it at all. After entering such a car you were not able to smell any other smell, but the driver calmly recorded all the smells of used perfume or smelling an apple before eating it. This is how the adaptation mechanism works. It causes us not to smell any other smells of a constant intensity in order to be able to continue to register other appearing smells.

The time to fully adapt to different odor ranges from several seconds to several minutes. So if we do nothing, our guests will get used to our scents after just a dozen or so minutes (but the impression will stay for a long time)!

If we don't smell bad smells in our own house, how to get rid of them?

Removing unpleasant smells at home

Since we are already aware of and know how the mechanism of adaptation to fixed odors works, we have to look for sources of unpleasant odors. In general, we can distinguish between two types of sources of unpleasant odors:

  1. Unpleasant odors reaching our house from outside, these are usually odors whose origin is difficult or impossible to remove:Any odors produced by neighbors
    1. Traffic related odors
    2. Industry and its nuisance fumes
  2. Unpleasant smells arising in house
    1. Shoes
    2. Pets
    3. Food: cooking and waste
    4. Body odors
    5. Toilet as a separate topic
    6. Musty, damp

In my opinion, only a solution that continuously neutralizes the above mentioned odors can be effective in fighting such a defined problem.

From the neutralizers available on the market we should choose those with continuous action. Of course, all kinds of sprays give an immediate effect and should be used as a support.

  1. Gels - effective and cheap solution, especially recommended for toilets
  2. Membranes - here the range of forms and solutions is quite large, however due to the way the odor is released and the need to pass through the membrane, specially modified fragrance compositions, mainly synthetic, are used in Membranes
  3. Electric Air Fresheners - I am strongly opposed to such solutions. The so-called hot evaporation causes changes in the structure of fragrance compositions and essential oils used there. I personally do not recommend
  4. Automatic Sprays - a very interesting solution, especially if you can find one where no pressure can is used but a regular pump spray - it will certainly be an effective and ecological solution
  5. Reed Diffusers / Sola Flowers - in my opinion, definitely the best solution combining aesthetics with functionality. A very wide market offer will allow you to find the right solution. Be careful only to use those that contain natural essential oils.

During our talks, the subject of neutralizing unpleasant odors at home appears very often and more and more often we meet people looking for a natural and healthy solution.

Despite having natural Sola Flowers in our offer, we decided, together with herbal medicine specialists, to create a new series of natural home odor neutralizers on a herbal basis (Relaxeen brand) to combine the beneficial effects of herbs with effective action. This is the subject we are currently working on. If you have any suggestions or proposals in this area, feel free to contact me, maybe together we will create a new interesting solution.

Author: Waldemar Stasiak - ELiX Founder

Copyright © by ELiX Ltd.

Melissa - a wonderful herb

Melissa / Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

It must have happened that the moment you were boiling with nerves you heard "brew yourself a Lemon balm". And very well, because it has a calming effect. However, this is not the only way to use its incredible properties.

Melissa essential oils

Already the ancient Egyptians knew that essential oils show multidirectional pharmacological, biochemical and physiological activity on the human body. It is said that all rooms and clothes of Queen Cleopatra were soaked in vegetable oils. In Assyria, on the other hand, they were used to prevent the spread of diseases and prevent epidemics.

But what is Melissa oil and what is its influence on us?

Melissa or lemon balm - shows us a pleasant, citrus fragrance. It can be used most easily in the form of aromatherapy. Exactly! It is enough to inhale the scent of essential oils obtained from this irreplaceable plant, and the ingredients contained in them will soothe our mind. It is a fully natural way to improve your mental condition, as well as the functioning of the whole body.

Paracelsus recommended it as "revitalizing people and indicated to all those who complain about nervous disorders". It soothes tensions, irritability and anxiety, and facilitates falling asleep. It has anti-anxiety, calming and antidepressant properties.

Melissa - when to use

Thus, the salutary effect of lemon balm can be used in states of nervous arousal, anxiety and insomnia, as well as in related heart rhythm and digestive tract disorders.

The use of essential oils derived from lemon balm leaves will help us soothe our nerves and regain mental balance. It will help us to stay calm in our everyday life and work.

Melissa - how to use

By exploring the field of aromatherapy and the influence of plant oils on the human body, we have closed the mixture of aromas of various plants, of which Melissa is the leading one, in the form of air freshener. Now we can not only refresh the air in the home or office, but also refresh our mind and mood. There are various fragrance versions available, in which carefully selected composition of aromas and extracts positively influence our mood.

Author: Waldemar Stasiak - ELiX Founder

Copyright © by ELiX Ltd.

Herbal garden at home

HERBS: In general use, herbs are plants with savory or aromatic properties that are used for flavoring and garnishing food, for medicinal purposes, or for fragrances.

16-20% of the world production of herbs belongs to Poland, of which about 80% are herbs from cultivation (about 60 species) and 20% from natural sites.

Herbs were used in prehistoric medicine. As far back as 5000 BCE. Some plants contain phytochemicals that have effects on the body. There may be some effects when consumed in the small levels that typify culinary "spicing", and some herbs are toxic in larger quantities. For instance, some can be used for medical purposes to relieve depression and stress. However, large amounts of these herbs may lead to toxic overload that may involve complications, some of a serious nature, and should be used with caution.

Nowadays, herbs are becoming more and more popular because even a small amount can have a positive effect on us.

The question remains: How can we efficiently and easily use the beneficial properties of herbs at home?

Herbs at home:

Popular methods of bringing herbs home usually require a lot of time and energy:

You can start your own cultivation, but this is probably the most absorbing method, requiring a daily commitment of time and energy.

Herbal infusions are a good method, but they require finding a moment during the day to skillfully prepare the infusion. Herbal infusions, however, are a good solution because dried herbal infusions can be stored even for a longer time without losing their healing properties.

Dietary supplements, i.e. herbs in tablets - the choice here is very large. However, despite the assurances of the manufacturers of these preparations, it is always necessary to consult a doctor first.

Herbal essences or herbal air fresheners are probably the most dynamically developing method of delivering herbs. Therefore, I will pay a little more attention to them.

When buying essential oils or herbal air fresheners, pay special attention to the manufacturer and descriptions. According to REACH regulations in the European Union such oils or air fresheners are classified as chemical mixtures. In itself, such designation does not define their natural or artificial origin, because according to this classification ethanol mixed with water (C2H5OH + H2O) is also a chemical mixture, and we used to think that it is ordinary vodka.

It is important to avoid mixtures without description or with a very short description containing only the name of the herbs. Herbs are natural stores of various chemicals that have a positive effect on people if used in the right concentration. Like all natural substances, they can cause allergic reactions. From my experience I know that all preparations that do not have a description of allergens or chemical composition (although this composition looks "chemical") have something to hide. Of course, homemade herbal extracts will not have descriptions, but then we know who prepared them and we trust such a person.

Beware of preparations without any description of allergens, how to proceed in case of getting into your eyes and without chemical composition. This may mean that the producer himself does not know what he is producing or, what is worse, tries to hide something from us.

Always ask for an MSDS card - this is a standard document where you will find a full description of the product and the allergens listed. YES - herbs as a natural product can cause an allergic reaction.

And now, perhaps the most important thing - only synthetic replacements of herbs do not cause an allergic reaction!

I will say it again - only synthetic equivalents of herbs do not cause an allergic reaction and can be sold without this information on the label!

Be sure to ask your dealer for an MSDS card, you don't need to know or read this - just see the dealer's reaction. If it is a natural product, made according to the European Union regulations, such a seller will give you the MSDS card immediately. On the other hand, if you hear that the product is natural because it is so written on it that natural products do not require an MSDS card or other stories prepared to calm you down - think about what the seller is hiding from you!

Herbal essences and natural herbal air fresheners are chemical mixtures (because this is how EU regulations define it) and according to these regulations they must have an MSDS card.

Natural essences and air fresheners are available on the market and do not have to be significantly more expensive than synthetic ones.

The use of natural air fresheners is simple and does not require special treatments. We can find a number of variants here. From the simplest, where they simply have to be sprayed in the room through to reed diffusor solutions, where the aroma is released from various types of rattan sticks, natural flowers (sola flower) or other such elements.

I encourage the use of this type of natural solutions because of their relatively low price and ease of application.

Author: Waldemar Stasiak - ELiX Founder

Copyright © by ELiX Ltd.

How human brain perceives smells?

Essential oils and the olfactory system

Fragrances and smells are around us all the time.

When fragrance enters trough nasal passage, travels until reaches the olfactory bulb. Via the olfactory bulb, the aroma is sent directly to the center of the brain, to the limbic system, where it is processed and releases heurochemicals that can be relaxing, stimulating, sedative, etc. – depending on the essential oil being used and some memories kept in mind. Fragrant stimuli get directly to the brain causing certain sensation. Depending on power of fragrance (how many molecule of fragrance in 1sqm) we can get phenomenon of fragrance perception in time:

  1. From 0 – human brain cannot perceive fragrance
  2. Unconscious perception – the best level for aroma marketing, when people do not sense nothing, but brain reaction are some emotions
  3. Can smell, but cannot recognize – it’s the level when brain can smell something but do not know what it is, cannot name it. As well very good level for all aroma marketing and air fresheners products because brain react with some emotions and cannot understand why
  4. Can recognize fragrance and can sensible react – that the amount of fragrance where all air fresheners and perfume are.
  5. Overdosing and pain when there is too much of fragrance for a long time dizziness and headache may occur. Please come back to reasons, why people do not use air fresheners!

In all phases at some point human brain may switch off – not to smell the fragrance any longer, to be ready for new one. It’s extremely important for our brain to be ready for reaction if  any danger situation come – for example some spoiled food. Second mechanism is an adaptation mechanism – when some fragrance or smell omnipresent we cannot smell it anymore after some period of time (from 2 minutes up to 2hours), once again it gives possibility to work normally to protect organism. Do you remember your favorite air freshener or perfume – after some period of time it has no smell!

 

Author: Waldemar Stasiak - ELiX Founder

Copyright © by ELiX Ltd.

How the odor eliminator works ?

Everyone everyday struggles with bad odor problem. Whether it is in Your kitchen, Your bathroom, bedroom or even living room, unpleasant odor is always unbearable. That’s why we manufacture special products odor neutralizers. Rather than mask bad smells with stronger fragrance we nullify the odor itself. It is much more efficient  way to get rid of any bad smell in your home, car, office, hotel or toilet,

 

DEFINITIONS

ODOR / ODOUR = a perception resulting from stimulation of olfactory receptors

ODORANT = a substance that elicits an olfactory response

MALODOR = an odor that is unpleasant or disliked when perceived in a specific context

DETECTION THRESHOLD = concentration at which 50% of a human panel can identify the presence of an odor or odorant without characterizing the stimulus

 

Malodors can be encountered in the air, on fabrics, on bathroom or kitchen surfaces. They can emanate from human skin or hair, from pet fur, litter containers and animal cages. Malodors can also result from daily human activities like cooking, smoking, etc … . The compounds that cause malodors are often very volatile. Most common unpleasant chemical groups include short chain aliphatic acids, aldehydes and esters, nitrogen-containing compounds such as amines, sulphur-containing compounds such as thiols and sulfides.

 

There are different chemical groups found in malodors. We can distinguish the following sources of different types of malodors: urine, toilet odors, axillary malodors, kitchen and garbage, cigarette smoke.

There are some typical ways of eliminating malodors perception:

  1. By removing a portion of the malodor molecule to bring its detection below its threshold of detection. We can do it by removing the source of malodor by cleaning.
  2. By altering how the odorant is perceived:
  3. When malodor is absorbed in a surface-based process on granulated activated carbon or zeolites. These way of odor neutralizing is the most safe and ecological. Has no impact on sounding environment. Can be used in refrigerators and with contact with pets. These is the most safe way of odor neutralizing but some of people complain that there is no smell and it does not work.
  4. Masking – overpowering by addition of other odorants. Typical air fresheners, perfumes, deodorants.
  5. Neutralizing – by changing its chemical structure, producing malodorless by-products. It’s possible because reaction with aldehydes react with amines producing a Schiff base and water. That’s typical way of odor neutralizing process. That way can be connected with masking to create most effective home and car air fresheners.

There is no possibility to connect absorption (2.a) with masking or neutralizing. The only way to create the most effective odor neutralizer is to connect Neutralizing with masking. The product made that way is odor neutralizer in neutralizing way and is adding some nice fragrance as a final effect. There are some natural raw materials that gives possibility to go thru the whole chemical process in natural way.

 

Author: Waldemar Stasiak - ELiX Founder

Copyright © by ELiX Ltd.

How to Eliminate Odors in your Home

Freshening Up Your Air

Practically everyone wants a home that smells pleasant. The problem is that there are so many things in a home that can cause bad odors. If the scent is not obvious, homeowners may need to go from room to room until they can locate the source. Fortunately, with the right tools, they can eliminate virtually any kind of odor and prevent it from returning. These tips help homeowners find the odor, clean up after it properly, and ensure that it is gone for good.

Identify and Remove the Source

Identifying the source of the odor is the first and most important step. If homeowners cannot find the trigger, it will continue to be a problem until it is removed. Removing it can be difficult when people are unsure where the source is located or are dealing with multiple odor problems at the same time. Enclosed spaces that do not have good ventilation can be the most-likely culprits:

When the odor is not obvious like pet urine or smoke, people may need to systematically search the room to locate its origin. Removing garbage and clutter will help to reveal areas that might be hiding problems.

Helpful Tools

Getting rid of problematic odors in the home calls for a few tools. Many of them are easy to buy at the store and may already be in the home. Once people have removed the source, they can use these items to neutralize the odor quickly.

Incense

Incense is a scented stick that people can light to create an aroma while the stick burns. The sticks come in a variety of scents, many of which are spicy and fairly strong-smelling. Homeowners should locate a spot in the home that is at low risk for burning and use a special incense holder. Like a candle, it is important not to burn incense when no one is there to supervise it. Although this can cover up odors in the home, it typically does not remove them. People will notice that the odors will return an hour or two after the incense stick has burned out.

White Vinegar

White vinegar can eliminate odors using a variety of possible approaches. The high acidic content of vinegar can kill certain types of bacteria that create odors. Vinegar can be an effective cleaning agent for this purpose. Some homeowners like to spray a vinegar and water solution on soft fabrics to neutralize odors. Heating vinegar on the stove can help to remove odors in the kitchen.

Although vinegar has its own strong odor, it will dissipate from the room after a few hours. Homeowners should be careful to use milder concentrations of vinegar, as industrial products can damage home furnishings.

Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds work well to neutralize odors for the same reason that they are an effective addition to a home garden: the nitrogen in the grounds acts as an effective odor management tool. In many cases, all homeowners have to do is to place a bowl of used coffee grounds in the room near the source of the odor. They should avoid applying the grounds directly to the surface, as this can absorb the oils and create a stain. Coffee grounds may not be the most effective tool, but they may be a quick way to approach the problem.

Baking Soda

Many people are familiar with baking soda as an effective deodorizer. The boxes homeowners can buy at the store may have a special opening for placement in the refrigerator. Dumping a cup of baking soda in a bowl is a good way to start deodorizing a space. By itself, removing the odor this way can take hours or days, by itself. Baking soda also cleans surfaces that can handle a light abrasive without scratching. Sprinkling baking soda on carpet will absorb spills and dry out quickly, making them easy to vacuum away.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Like white vinegar, apple cider vinegar is another acidic tool that homeowners can use to neutralize odors. The primary difference is the color and the scent. Apple cider vinegar leaves a pleasant scent of apples, although it is slightly acidic. People may want to use apple cider vinegar for applications that need a quick way to cover the odor while neutralizing. Leaving bowls of apple cider vinegar near the odor can neutralize it over time. Rinsing a garbage disposal with apple cider vinegar can clean, disinfect, and leave a better scent behind.

Common Odor Culprits

There are a variety of possible odor culprits, although it is often obvious which one is a problem. Homeowners should watch out for these areas of the home, which are prone to collecting the bacteria that produce odors. Proper maintenance can make a significant difference.

TrashKitchen odor eliminator

Smelly garbage is an obvious problem, especially in the kitchen or the bathroom. In most cases, taking out the trash bag removes the source. However, leaks in the bag can lead to accumulation at the bottom, which can cause odors to linger. If homeowners are not sure why their trash cans stink, it may be time to clean them. They should follow these steps:

Some trash can materials, like wood or plastic, can absorb the odors and become more difficult to remove. Stainless steel is the easiest to clean.

Cooking

Cooking often produces odors, even if many of them are pleasant. The problem with the cooking process is that it produces moisture as well as releases oils into the air. Once that moisture or oil settles onto another surface, it can be difficult to remove the odors from it. Homeowners can prevent this problem by installing proper ventilation around the stove and using it every time they cook. Cleaning pots, pans, cooking equipment, and surfaces will help to eliminate most sources of the odor. If these steps are insufficient, people may want to leave out a bowl of vinegar, baking soda, or coffee grounds near the stove overnight. Simmering spices on the stove or misting vinegar in the air around the kitchen may work as a last attempt.

Refrigerator

Since the refrigerator is a largely unventilated space full of fresh food, it can be a significant source of odor problems for homeowners. When people notice that their refrigerator smells bad, they should quickly check for expired food. Spoiled food harbors bacteria or fungi that create foul odors, which can get worse if left alone for days or weeks. Once the source is removed, placing a bowl or open box of baking soda inside can help to deodorize it. If the odor does not go away, it may indicate a spill or rotten food in the freezer. Cleaning out the refrigerator once a month and cycling through frozen items will minimize odor problems. This may or may not require unplugging and defrosting the refrigerator.

Dishwasher

Dishwashers are designed to clean dishes and food preparation equipment. Because this process involves a combination of water lines and food particles, it can also cause problems with odors in the kitchen. Homeowners may be able to avoid most problems by giving their dishes or kitchen tools a quick rinse in the sink before putting them in the dishwasher. For current odor problems, people should:

If these steps do not solve the odor problem, people may want to call a technician to look for possible leaks under the dishwasher.

Drains

Drains that smell bad are usually a sign of a clog. Most drains attached to sinks have a P-trap underneath. This piece is relatively easy to remove and clean out. Homeowners should avoid using harsh cleansers, as this can damage the plumbing. It may be more practical to hire a plumber to fix the clogs.

In the kitchen, homeowners may also need to attend to the garbage disposal. It is important to confirm that it is in the off position before reaching in to grab trapped food. If the disposal is empty, running lemon juice or apple cider vinegar may clear away food particles causing the odor. Hot, soapy water helps to melt away grease and allows it to pass down the drain.

Bathrooms

Bathroom odors are quite common, but homeowners can minimize their effects. Proper ventilation, turned on whenever the bathroom is in use, is key to eliminating lingering odors of waste while helping to control moisture. High humidity creates a breeding ground for mildew or mold. Vinegar and baking soda can remove the odors, but people should consult an expert if they notice mold growing in the walls.

Using a bag in the garbage can reduces unpleasant accumulation and makes cleanup easier. Foul odors in the bathroom that are not caused by garbage or waste may be a sign of sewer gas or backflow. In this case, homeowners should call a plumber for assistance.

BeddingBedroom odor eliminator Natural Fresh

Bedding creates a new problem for homeowners to solve, in relation to odors that accumulate. People spend about a third of their time sleeping. As they rest, the oils from their skin, dirt, and skin cells permeate the bedding. Eventually, the mattress absorbs them. As a result, mattresses might be significantly heavier at the end of their lifespan.

Washing bedding and sheets at least once a week helps to prevent this problem. For stubborn odors, people can sprinkle baking soda, spray a light mist of vinegar and water, allow it to sit for a day, then vacuum it up. In some cases, allowing the mattress to sit in the sun will help to deodorize it. However, people may need to replace the bedding in order to solve the problem.

Closets/Laundry

Like bedding or a mattress, clothing can absorb odors and make them difficult to remove. Closets can be a particular source of bad smells, especially closets that do not get cycled through on a regular basis. To find the source, homeowners should clear out the closet. It may be a piece of clothing, a pair of shoes, or the closet itself. Clothing that smells like smoke or oily foods (like fish) may need washing or dry cleaning with an enzymatic cleaner that removes oils. If the closet is the problem, people should clean it from top to bottom. Most musty smells can be eliminated by spraying down the walls lightly with vinegar and water, and leaving the closet open to dry and air out.

Fabric Furniture

Fabric furniture is a likely source of home odors because it can rapidly absorb and hold spills. A fabric couch or chair located near the kitchen may trap odors from the stove. Small pieces with odors but no stains may be easy to manage by taking them outside on a sunny day. For larger pieces of furniture or heavy stains, homeowners should start by vacuuming the entire piece. This includes removing or lifting cushions and getting into the corners. Once this is complete, they can sprinkle baking soda and leave it overnight. The baking soda soaks up liquids and is easy to remove once dry. For a deeper cleaning, spraying with a solution of water, vinegar, and dish soap will work for most fabrics.

Carpet

Cleaning carpet spills quickly is the best way to avoid stains and odors. Carpet is an absorbent flooring material that will hold the liquid and even pass it to the carpet pad underneath. For current stains, homeowners may want to try applying baking soda. For heavy spills or stiff stains, baking soda paste with water often works better. After a day, people can vacuum it to see if the odor is gone.

If the source of the odor is the carpet pad, homeowners have fewer options. The pad is a separate material that cleaners like baking soda or vinegar will not reach. In some cases, professional carpet cleaners can help to remove spills or moisture from the carpet pad, which is a common problem after flooding.

Removing Odors from Smoke

Smoke contains a combination of things, including oils. As these permeate the air, they can land on any surface and cause a stain. For example, homeowners may notice that the ceiling above the stove develops a stain after they cook a particularly hot or smoky dish. The smell of smoke from cigarettes, vaping equipment, or even a house fire can be particularly difficult to get rid of. People can start by removing anything that can be washed or dry-cleaned. Once these items are clean and odor-free, they should be kept from the space until it is clean.

Cleaning furniture, walls, flooring, and other surfaces is more difficult. It must happen at the same time to avoid the scent permeating again. Baking soda and a vinegar solution work on soft surfaces like carpet or fabric furniture. Wiping walls and the ceiling with a damp rag dipped in vinegar is the most effective way to clean them. Homeowners may want to vacuum them first, to remove dirt and debris. Surfaces like a kitchen or bathroom counter should be cleaned as normal. For serious smoke odor problems, it may be more practical to hire a professional cleaning company.

Soft Surface Cleaning Tips

Soft surfaces tend to be the most likely to absorb odors, but they require gentle care. If homeowners use the wrong solution or try to scrub a stain, they may damage the fabric. Using harsh cleansers on a carpet and scrubbing it can wear away fibers or remove color. In most cases, people will get the best result by sprinkling baking soda, spraying lightly with a vinegar solution, and allowing the material to dry in a well-ventilated space. If it is not possible to take the material outside, people may want to open a window instead. When vinegar is contraindicated, plain vodka sprayed lightly on drapes or upholstery will absorb the odors and evaporate quickly. Like vinegar, the odor of alcohol will dissipate within an hour or two.

Treating "Stale" Air

Sometimes when people walk into a room they do not use very often, they notice a musty or stale odor. This is common in vacation homes or cabins after months without use. The problem starts with a lack of ventilation. When a room or a house does not cycle air regularly, mold, mildew, and bacteria can breed with ease. High humidity can make the musty smell worse or trigger open mold production. The most obvious solution is to open a few doors or windows and let the space air out. Natural light can neutralize odors through exposure to ultraviolet rays. If this is not effective enough, homeowners can shift to cleaning individual surfaces or furniture as a way to address it.

Removing Pet Odors

Like smoke damage, removing pet odors can be one of the most difficult tasks for homeowners trying to target problematic scents in the home. Urine is the most common cause of the odor. The best way to eliminate it depends on its location and the severity of the problem.

Dogs

Pets that have free run of the house can carry a lot of odors with them. Dogs can bring dirt into the house after a walk. They also produce excess hair and pet dander that can accumulate on the floor or in furniture. Homeowners can minimize the effects of this debris by sweeping or vacuuming the floor each day, and mopping hard flooring surfaces at least once a week. They may need to do the same for dog beds, couches, crates, or any other place the dog is allowed to be.

To remove urine odors, people should wipe up the mess immediately and wash the towels or throw them away. If the urine permeated the wall or sub-floor, it may be necessary to use an odor-killing primer before repainting or replacing flooring.

Cats

Odor Block - CAT

Cleaning up after cat odors mostly focuses on urine. Since many cats live inside, they eliminate waste indoors as well. Homeowners should clean the litter box daily and change the litter regularly. New urine stains can be removed by blotting and treatment with an enzymatic cleaner. Wiping or vacuuming the surface afterward can remove the odor.

The main problem with cat urine is that it can permeate deep into the room and come back, even after people have soaked up the spill or cleaned the carpet. Humidity reactivates the acid in the urine, which can make the odor almost impossible to eliminate without removing the surface. Experts suggest taking cats who urinate outside a litter box to the veterinarian to check for health problems.

Small Pet Cages/Habitats

Small pets, like rodents or birds, have their own living spaces that must be cleaned on a regular basis. Without proper cleaning, those cages can accumulate odors that can spread to the rest of the room. Most cages are lined with a soft material that the pet can use for bedding, to build a nest, or to leave waste. The odor comes primarily from urine or solid waste. As such, this material must be replaced at least once or twice a week.

For the cage material, stainless steel is less likely to absorb odors than plastic. Homeowners may want to select a lining material that is more likely to hold liquid, like wood shavings. This material is less likely to disintegrate if it gets wet.

Aquariums

Aquariums for fish or reptiles will carry some kind of odor under any circumstance, but it may not be unpleasant most of the time. Reptiles mostly need to have waste removed on a regular basis. Glass tanks should be wiped clean with treated water and a clean sponge or washcloth. In the case of fish tanks, the high water content can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Excess food, fish feces, or dead fish can cause foul odors. If the tank gets a lot of natural sunlight, it may cause algae to bloom. Homeowners may be able to manage some of this by adding a bottom-feeding fish that will help to keep the interior surfaces free of debris. Replacing some of the water once a month helps to cycle out odor-causing bacteria.

Mold and Mildew

Mold and mildew odors may be simple or very difficult to eliminate, depending on the severity. Homeowners should know that these fungi start to breed in high humidity. Poor moisture control can happen anywhere, but it is more likely to be an issue in the kitchen and the bathroom. If the mildew odor is confined to a single surface like a wet towel, washing it may solve the problem. Mold is easy to smell but can be hard to locate. In many cases, the mold breeds inside the walls, because it needs both moisture and darkness. Homeowners can spot it first in the corners of the walls or the flooring. At this point, they usually need to call a mold remediation specialist.

Keep Your Home Clean

Keeping a house clean and smelling fresh takes a fair bit of work. When people encounter a foul odor, they are wise to try to get rid of it as quickly as possible. Odors can become more pungent if left alone, and they are often easier to manage when they first show up. There are many things that people can use to clean and deodorize their homes without damaging surfaces or simply covering up the scent. With a handful of natural tools and products from the supermarket, homeowners can engage in their own home odor elimination.

Looking for more tips on how to make your home smell fresh? Check out this handy guide on how to eliminate odors in the home.

Air freshener market key facts 2020

Air care market: home air fresheners + car air fresheners + professional air fresheners and odor neutralizers

Air fresheners are consumer products used in homes, or commercial products used in restrooms, or typical HoReCa to use in Hotels that in standard emit fragrance or are used for odor elimination.

Air care product is a category which accounts for 12.1 billion USD globally (2019): North America – 40%, Europe 31%, Asia Pacific 15%, Latin America 6%, Middle East 5% and Australia 3%.

There are many different formats of air care products. Electric air fresheners with 30% market share, now are fast growing because of increasing popularity of ultrasonic diffusers with some natural essential oils for this format. Sprays, including aerosol air fresheners 27% where we can observe growing importance of non-aerosol air fresheners and odor neutralizers. Car air fresheners with 16% share where especially new solid solutions launched. Gel air fresheners – 9%, stable product with very good perspective in Asia where Indian market is the most important for category. Candle air fresheners and wax melts – 7%, where wax melts products are very popular in North America and gaining popularity in Europe and Asia Pacific. Liquid air fresheners – 6%, the category with time-honored clients. Other category is about 5%.

2020 AIR FRESHENERS trends:

 

Author: Waldemar Stasiak - ELiX Founder

Copyright © by ELiX Ltd.

Scents of air fresheners

An odor or odour or fragrance is caused by one or more volatilized chemical compounds, generally at a very low concentration, that humans or other animals perceive by the sense of olfaction. Odors are also commonly called scents, which can refer to both pleasant and unpleasant odors. The terms fragrance and aroma are used primarily by the food and cosmetic industry to describe a pleasant odor, and are sometimes used to refer to perfumes, and to describe floral scent. In the United Kingdom, odour refers to scents in general. In the United States and for many non-native English speakers around the world, odor generally has a negative connotation, as a synonym for stink; on the other hand, scent or aroma are used by those people to indicate “pleasant smells” (Wikipedia).

 

DEFINITIONS

SCENT – an aroma in general

FRAGRANCE – concentrated aroma

ODOR / ODOUR – bed smell, stink

 

Fragrances comes from natural resources or synthetic.

Natural Fragrance – commonly named Natural Essential Oils, are concentrated aromatic oils from plant sources. Depending on the particular oil the part of the plant that may be used may be the blossoms, leaves, seeds, root or the wood. Essential oils are a complex of many different chemical components. They can play various role in nature serving plants and allowing them to grow and survive. Essential oil uses include aromatherapy, cosmetics, massage oils, incense, perfumes and air freshening products. Their scents can be very therapeutic and can have differing effects on the mind, emotions and body. Natural Fragrance are more expensive and some of them extremely expensive. The usage of them is limited to very good air fresheners, fine fragrances (perfume) and essential oils. Some innovative essential oils are prepared with small portion of carrier oils to make use of it much easier and comfortable.

Synthetic Fragrance – created in laboratory and made in industrial way. Synthetic fragrances are strong and they last a long time. There are a blend of various chemical compounds, many of which are common allergens or are linked to hormone disruption. Synthetic fragrance are much cheaper than Natural Fragrance, and thus more commonly used. Synthetic Fragrance are commonly used household cleaning products, washing powders, detergents, toilet air fresheners, home air fresheners, car air fresheners, fine fragrances, food industry and many, many more.

Fragrance blend – mixture of Natural and Synthetic Fragrances. It’s the best way to create symphony of scents. That’s the place where artists are. First well know Fragrance blend was created by Coco Chanel in 1920’s “A woman’s perfume with the scent of a woman” would not have been possible without synthetic aldehydes. Fragrance blend is used in fine fragrances, good home air fresheners, some of car air fresheners.

 

The main source of good quality fragrance, especially Fragrance Blend is Europe, mainly in France. Every manufacturer has in his portfolio cheap blends or synthetic fragrances as well as very good products. There is no quality differences based on localization in Europe.

Europe become so strong in good quality fragrances because of very strong legislation process. REACH is the European Regulation on chemicals regarding the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemical substances (REACH). The aim is to improve the protection of human health and the environment through more thorough and earlier identification of the intrinsic properties of chemical substances. Moreover, the REACH Regulation gives greater responsibility to industry to manage chemical risks and to provide safety information about these substances. In fact some of very popular US or Japanese fragrances are classified as poisons, 90% of Chinese fragrances are forbidden for legal usage in Europe.

 

HOME air fresheners

The World of home air fresheners looks very similar in every country. Mainly are in use floral and fine fragrance notes. Fruits – especially Lime in India and very heavy oud scent in Middle East are the only exclusion. In the world more and more popular and more welcome is the smell of fresh flowers.

 

CAR air fresheners

The World of car air fresheners changes country by country, region by region. There are different fruits habits depends of historical, regional, religion or law conditions. Always there is main scent, some fruit fragrance and following fine fragrance scents and other fruity or mixed smells. Fine fragrances smells are identical globally, there are some musk, black, blue notes with strong connection to perfumes. But the main notes are:

Europe – Vanilla, a little bit sweet vanilla as some exotic fragrance with good memories for every home with sweet vanilla cookie in oven. Vanilla Fragrance from years is a leader of European car air fresheners.

North America – Cherry, strong almond cherry. It’s so strong that in Europe nobody can use it. Cherry smell can cover every other odor or smell. Some stories big popularity of cherry fragrances connect with previous popularity of smoking pot in car. The only fragrance to make it as not to be discovered was cherry fragrance.

South America – Cherry and Vanilla, it depends on country but these two plays main role.

Middle East – Strawberry, sweet fruity with some of bubble gum. Strong fragrances with fresh meaning, but fresh means berries scent.

India – Lemon / Lime, natural fresh lemon. Very strong. It’s in India connected with new car smell and religion. When you buy new car, first you have to put fresh lime under each radial tire. With first movement of new car crush the limes and squirting juice.

China – Peach, sweet soft peach. Chinese are very sensitive and do not like strong fragrances.

 

Author: Waldemar Stasiak - ELiX Founder

Copyright © by ELiX Ltd.

 

How to describe fragrance ?

The perfume description of particular fragrance is usually presented with the help of FRAGRANCE TRIANGLE. It’s kind of pyramid.

TOP notes: the first impression, very light and fresh notes, they are first we can identify when smelling an air freshener or perfume.

HEART notes: that’s the core of every air freshener or perfume. It comes just after TOP notes and it’s the essence of aroma.

BASE notes: makes an air freshener or perfume full depth and richness. There are the base from where the flower can grow to HEART and TOP and become full of experience and carry the accord for whole air freshener.

If you can imagine natural ROSE with beautiful red flowers, full of beautiful scents – that you can describe as:

TOP notes: Green, Fruity, Aldehydic

HEART notes: Rose, Violet

BASE notes: Amber, Honey

Is the description of the fragrance easy and always unambiguous?

A typical example would be when trying to describe a vanilla flavor. The topic seems simple and straightforward. Below is an example of a description of the fragrance Deep Vanilla from Frey & Lau - that's what you imagined it?

Author: Waldemar Stasiak - ELiX Founder

Copyright © by ELiX Ltd.