automatic air fresheners

Air fresheners are consumer products meant to mitigate the experience of unpleasant automatic air fresheners odors in indoor spaces. Freshening the air may be done in one of four ways:

1. Absorption. Chemical odors may be absorbed so that they are no longer capable of offending. Adsorbents like activated charcoal or silica gel may be used.
   
2. Chemical neutralization. It is possible to chemically neutralize some odors. Various substances are used, eg. chlorophyll.
   
3. Disinfection. Odors caused by bacterial activity can be eliminated by disinfectants like bleaching agents containing hydrogen peroxide, chlorine or hypochlorites, or by ozone.
   
4. Masking. Many "fresheners" obscure the odor by a fragrance providing a stronger odor that is not as objectionable to that which is being covered.
   
5. Anesthetization. Some air fresheners use anesthetic to reduce the sense of smell so that no odors can offend.

See also

• Deodorant

External links

• British Aerosol Manufacturers' Association