Febreze is an American brand of household odor eliminators manufactured by Procter & Gamble. It is sold in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.

Febreze
Product typeAir freshener
OwnerProcter & Gamble
CountryUnited States
IntroducedMarch 1996; 28 years ago (1996-03)
MarketsWorldwide
Websitewww.febreze.com

First introduced in test markets in March 1996,[1] the fabric refresher product has been sold in the United States since June 1998, and the line has since branched out to include air fresheners (Air Effects), plug-in oil (Noticeables), scented disks (Scentstories), odor-eliminating candles, and automotive air fresheners.

The name Febreze is a portmanteau of the words fabric and breeze. In many non-English speaking countries, the products are sold as Ambi Pur.

Ingredients

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Beta-cyclodextrin (HPβCD), derived from corn

The active ingredient in several Febreze products is hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin (HPβCD). The molecule traps and binds volatilized hydrocarbons within its structural ring, retaining malodorous molecules, which reduces their volatility and thus the perception of their scent.[2] The active ingredient is produced from corn cobs.[3] The use of cyclodextrin as a sprayable odor absorber was patented by Procter & Gamble.[4]

The products include additional ingredients such as emulsifiers, preservatives, and perfumes. Benzisothiazolinone is a preservative included in some of the products.[5]

Lines

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There are many types of Febreze branded products. For example, the main Febreze products are air freshener sprays, which are claimed to have a disinfectant effect. There are specialized ones for odor from pets, for cars, and for fabric. Some are aromatic and others are odorless.

  • Air Effects
  • Bedroom Mist
  • Fabric Refresher
  • Febreze ONE Fabric
  • Bedding Refresher
  • NOTICEables
  • 3VOLUTION
  • Bedroom Diffuser
  • Bedside Diffuser
  • Set&Refresh
  • Stick&Refresh
  • CAR Vent Clip
  • Candles
  • Wax melts
  • Sleep Serenity

In other countries, there are Febreze products for house dust and toilet facilities.

Marketing

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The product was initially marketed as a way to get rid of unpleasant smells. It sold poorly until P&G realised that people become accustomed to smells in their own homes, and stop noticing them even when they are overpowering (like the smell of several cats in a single household). The marketing then switched to linking it to pleasant smells and good cleaning habits instead, which resulted in a massive increase in sales. Only after the product became well established in the marketplace did the marketing go back to emphasising odour elimination properties as well.[6]

Animal safety

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Febreze fabric freshener products are considered safe for use in households with pets.[7] However, the package labeling indicates that the product is considered not safe around birds, and results from testing with other animals are not indicated.[citation needed]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "P&G tests Febreze", Advertising Age, May 9, 1996
  2. ^ "Chemical Functional Definitions - Cyclodextrin". Procter & Gamble. 2005. Archived from the original on November 10, 2012.
  3. ^ *P&G. (2014). Febreze FAQ (in japanese). Retrieved: http://www.febreze.jp/Faq.aspx?id=4442 Archived 2014-12-22 at the Wayback Machine [July 14, 2014].
  4. ^ Uncomplexed cyclodextrin solutions for odor control on inanimate surfaces. US Pat. No. 5,714,137. Filed 1994; assigned 1998.
  5. ^ Febreze® Air Effects® All Varieties (PDF), retrieved 5 April 2016
  6. ^ Duhigg, Charles (February 19, 2012). "How Companies Learn Your Secrets". The New York Times Magazine. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
  7. ^ "Poisonous Household Products". ASPCA. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
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