how we use chemistry

Don’t settle for masking odors—Febreze has the technology to fight bad odors at the source. The good news: Fighting odors isn’t rocket science… but it does take a little bit of chemistry know-how to do it right. Read on to learn why the technology in Febreze is designed with the safety of you, your family, and your pets in mind.

Febreze: tackling bad odors with good science

No fluff in your fresh air! Febreze gets to the point on fighting odor… down to the molecular level. We found four enemies to stinky smells and combined them (science!) to fight bad odors. You might be surprised to recognize some of them:

SODIUM CITRATE: THE ODOR NEUTRALIZER

What it does: These zesty molecules fight bad smells by balancing out their pH (so they become as neutral as water).

Find it in: It’s the bubbly in your club soda, and the fresh zest in citrus and pine needles.

CYCLODEXTRIN: THE ODOR TRAPPER

What it does: This donut-shaped molecule traps odors in its center.

Find it in: Summer sweet corn and potatoes

DUO PSB: THE ODOR MAGNET

What it does: This odor magnet digs deep to draw out odors, then traps them while releasing bursts of freshness.

Find it in: Febreze! This polymer was specially created to tackle odors in hard-to-wash fabrics.

FRAGRANCE: THE ODOR CONVERTER

What it does: These various perfume molecules react and bind to bad odors, thus forcing them to change their stinky ways.

Find it in: Flowers, fruits, and fresh rain! We re-created natural scents in Febreze by replicating their molecular composition.

natural or synthetic: is there really a difference?

Often, there is no difference between natural and synthetic ingredients; that’s why many of them are called “nature identical.” Yep, the ingredients used in our air fresheners are identical to their natural counterparts. When examined under a microscope, they look exactly the same. So when you smell a lavender fragrance molecule that’s created in a lab, it’s indistinguishable from the scent of lavender growing in your yard.

Febreze takes a responsible approach to fragrance, opting for synthetics when choosing a botanical could be harmful to the environment… or even strip away a rare plant species.

A molecule from a fresh orange vs. the orange essence used in Febreze

So now you know: There’s no secret to Febreze’s stink-busting power. Just good, clean science. Doesn’t that feel like a breath of fresh air?