All brand scorecards
Cleaning
Febreze
Fabric and air freshener spray from P&G. The archetypal fragrance-loaded indoor air polluter.
F
Avoid
Grade F: Avoid
Core products contain chemicals we specifically warn against. Better options exist at every budget.
What to be aware of
- Heavy undisclosed fragrance including multiple phthalate-carrying fragrance compounds (NRDC testing)
- Acetaldehyde, 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol and other VOCs detected in independent testing
- Masks odors rather than removing them; residue lingers on soft surfaces indefinitely
Editor’s note
There is no non-toxic use case for Febreze. The fix for household odor is ventilation, washing fabrics, or baking soda. Not a fragrance spray.
Better-rated alternatives
Branch Basics
ASingle concentrate that cleans everything. Full ingredient disclosure, fragrance-free.
Blueland
ATablet refill system with glass or reusable bottles. Plastic-waste-first design, clean ingredient list.
Ecover
BWidely available plant-based cleaning line. Clean enough for most uses, fragrance disclosure is partial.