Natural Eco-Friendly Air Fresheners for the "Green" Mom

So you are an ecology-minded, modern, "green" mom or mom-to-be, who wants to do everything you can to save the planet. After all, the children you bring into the world are going to have to live here in the future, as will their children and grandchildren. And you want to expose your babies to as few harmful chemicals as possible. Bravo! You're officially a mom of the 21st Century! But wait! To be truly green, you will have to use cloth diapers, and not contribute to the plastic- and paper-waste mess that is already in our landfills. You say "eeeeeeewwwww!!" Your mind immediately flashes to visions of diaper pails filled with the odor of human waste. You can practically smell the ammonia odor and the other pungent stenches that will permeate your nursery. Since you are "green" you don't want to use industrial-strength air fresheners that put harmful chemicals into the air your family breathes. What to do? Here are some environmentally-friendly, non-toxic, bio-degradable solutions.

Botanicals, Herbs, and Spices

If you want to go totally natural, the answer might be at the nearest essential oil shop, your local grocery, or even already in your cupboard
Here are some suggestions:

• Diluted white vinegar: use it to mop floors, wipe surfaces, or wipe inside diaper pail -- it's cheap and in every grocery store!
• Baking soda: always reliable odor neutralizer, probably already in your refrigerator and cupboard. Sprinkle in the diaper pail. Totally safe and nat
  
• Spices: Cinnamon sticks, cloves, ginger, basil, rosemary etc: you can sprinkle this in diaper pail or on surfaces [where baby can't accidentally get to them and ingest them]. You can boil them or use as-is, you can use them whole or ground. Don't be afraid to experiment with mixtures [cinnamon and ginger for example]
• Potpourri: either store-bought or homemade. These days, potpourri is everywhere. You can even buy huge bags at the local dollar-store!
• Extracts: vanilla, orange, almond, or any flavor. Also at your local grocery. You don't use much -- a little dab goes a long way.
  

Essential oils

Here too, a little goes a long way. If there is a local branch of "The Body Shop", or any seller of essential oils at your local mall or shopping center, you can choose from dozens of fragrances. I recommend vanilla, lemon, lavender, or almond, but any fragrance you like would be good. And here too, you might want to try some interesting combinations. If you can't get to the mall [new moms especially might not be able to get out easily], here are some sources for essential oils you can order online

Mountain Rose Herbs
Pure Essential Oils
Young Living

Soy candles

Burn these out of reach of children and objects that can catch on fire [fabric, paper, plastic, wood]. Why soy candles? Because they are non-polluting, they are environmentally-friendly and safe for children. If your local candle shop doesn't carry soy candles, or you can't get to the mall, here are some online sources:

Ginger Sweet
Caterpillars Candles
The Scented Cellar

Commercial air fresheners

Still want the convenience of commercial air fresheners? Don't despair! There are eco-friendly products out there. If you can get to Trader Joe's or Whole Foods, you will find many environmentally-safe, natural, baby-safe deodorizers. Or try the Smelleze® Nursery Disposable Pouch by the Imtek Environmental Corp.
IdealBite recommends Diversified Enterprizes for eco-friendly air fresheners.

There are so many alternatives to putting harmful chemicals into your baby's nursery. Even if your diapers sit for a couple of days between laundry days, there are eco-friendly, non-toxic ways to control odor. You are helping your baby, as well as helping the planet your baby will inhabit in the future!