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The Best Air Fresheners You Can Buy

A hand sprays an aerosol can of air freshener into a living room.
New Africa/Shutterstock.com

You no longer need to open all the doors and windows when you’re trying to air out a bad smell. Air fresheners are the most convenient way to take care of nasty odors, no matter the season, and they should be found in everyone’s cleaning cabinets. Whether you need to eliminate unpleasant odors caused by children and pets or whether you just like it to smell extra clean in your space, air fresheners can make a world of difference in your life.

Save yourself worry and hassle when guests arrive or when you want to relax with a soothing scent by having your favorite air freshener on hand for low-maintenance or emergency odor situations.

How to Choose an Air Freshener

Consider these factors when selecting an air freshener to suit your needs.

  • Longevity: Some air fresheners last longer than others. Check the product descriptions to see whether your air freshener is made for single-use purposes or whether it can be refilled for longer utilization.
  • Range: Not all air fresheners have the same scent-spreading power. While some scents will spread strongly throughout large spaces, some will only be detected within smaller areas.
  • Ingredients: Check your air freshener for ingredients that could be toxic to humans and pets. Many natural and organic products are available.

Best Overall: Clear Air Odor Eliminator

These gel beads are natural, nontoxic, and non-allergenic. They are lightweight, portable, and can be placed in any problem areas that need constant odor elimination. In addition, they can be left to work for up to three months; they work because they use seven quality essential-oil-based fragrances. Plus, they come in various colors and are sustainable and eco-friendly.

Best Value: Air Wick Plug-in Scented Oil

This air freshener is a great low-maintenance option for odor control. You can plug it in anywhere there is an outlet and experience the pleasant scent of clean laundry. With options to purchase multiple refills at once, shopping once can ensure that your home smells good year-round. This product comes with a warmer that ensures the natural essential oils reach every corner in the room, and five fragrance settings on the warmer allow you to adjust the fragrance strength to your preference.

Best Value

Air Wick Plug in Scented Oil Starter Kit, 2 Warmers + 6 Refills, Fresh Linen, Same Familiar Smell of Fresh Laundry, Eco Friendly, Essential Oils, Air Freshener

This air freshener comes with two warmers and six refills to start, with options to purchase 10 refills at a time.

Best for Pet Odor: Rocco & Roxie Odor Eliminator

With a professional-strength formula, this air-freshener doubles as a stain remover. It doesn’t just mask odors but eliminates them at the source by using natural enzymatic bacteria. Equally safe for pets and all fabrics and materials, this product is ideal for homes that need emergency odor-eliminating solutions.

Best for Bathroom Odor: Poo-Pourri

Poo-Pourri stops odors before they begin with a chemical-free formula. This air freshener can be sprayed into the toilet before bathroom use to prevent odors from happening at all. With several scents and bottle sizes to choose from, this product is convenient for travel or home and can, of course, be used in any space (like trash bins) to combat unpleasant odors.

Best for Bathroom Odor

Poo-Pourri Before-You-Go Toilet Spray, Lavender Vanilla, 4 Fl Oz - Lavender, Vanilla and Citrus

A 4-ounce bottle of this amazing air freshener can last up to 200 uses.

Best for Car Odor: Yankee Candle Hanging Air Freshener

To take a little bit of your favorite candle scent from home with you, the Yankee Candle air freshener can be hung in your car (or anywhere) with ease. Perfect for everyday use or a road trip, this air freshener comes in several appealing fragrances that last up to four weeks. Plus, they look cute and are 100% recyclable.

Best for Car Odor

Ellie Miller Ellie Miller
Ellie Miller is a full-time copy editor and occasional writer for LifeSavvy’s reviews articles. With years of experience in substantive and copy editing, proofreading, and publishing, she has edited thousands of online articles, as well as memoirs, scientific essays, book chapters, and workplace training documents. She hopes you’ll find some new favorite products here on LifeSavvy like she has. Read Full Bio »
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