Breathe Easy: My Top 11 Cleaning Essentials for Sensitive Noses

…and why Number 11 is an absolute must-have!

Scent of Deception: How Marketing Misleads Us on Cleanliness

These days it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find products that aren’t bathed in artificial fragrance. Unfortunately, consumers associate artificial fragrances with cleanliness due to a combination of learned experiences and psychological effects. The strong presence of scents in cleaning products creates a connection in our minds, reinforced by marketing. Additionally, “pleasant” fragrances evoke positive emotions.

As a result, people use it to mask odors—although I contend that this practice does not work. Spraying fragrance on stink just results in fragranced stink. This fallacy that fragrance masks—or even eliminates—odors has led to two of my most detested products in the history of ever: scented toilet paper and scented feminine hygiene products.

Scented toilet paper and feminine hygiene products might seem appealing, but they can lead to various health concerns, especially for those with sensitive skin. The fragrances often contain chemicals like dyes, perfumes, and even formaldehyde, which can irritate the delicate vulvar and vaginal tissues.

This irritation can manifest as redness, itching, burning, and even contribute to conditions like vulvovaginitis, yeast infections, and bacterial vaginosis. Additionally, these scents can disrupt the natural vaginal pH balance, further increasing susceptibility to infections. Opting for unscented, hypoallergenic products whenever possible is crucial for maintaining healthy, comfortable intimate areas. But I digress.

The Harsh Truth About Artificial Fragrance

While many associate artificial fragrances with freshness & cleanliness, inhaling them can lead to various health concerns. From common issues like respiratory irritation, headaches, and skin irritation to more serious concerns like allergic reactions and potential endocrine disruption, the impact of fragrance varies depending on individual sensitivity and exposure levels.

My daughter, Sam, is extremely sensitive to fragrance. When she is exposed to these chemical stink-bombs, it often leads to skin irritation, migraines, or asthma attacks. Therefore, I have to be extremely mindful of the products I introduce into my household. And prioritizing Sam’s health and well-being in a world increasingly bathed in artificial scents has been difficult. However, I’ve finally found an arsenal of products that are Sam-approved.

Today, I’m going to share these unscented and lightly scented essentials with you. These products have enabled us to keep our home clean, comfortable, and free of unwanted scents.

1. Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Liquid Soap

At this point, I think we’re all aware of Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Liquid Soap and at least a handful of its gazillion uses. In our household, we specifically use it for hand soap.

While there are a variety of scents available, there are no artificial fragrances added. Instead, the soaps are lightly scented with essential oils. Sam & I love the peppermint in particular. It has a very subtle & refreshing scent that doesn’t irritate our noses or lungs. It also doesn’t leave our hands reeking of perfume all day. However, if you want a strictly scent-free product, Dr. Bronner’s also produces “Baby-Unscented.”

Making hand soap couldn’t be easier. It just requires a foaming hand soap dispenser, some distilled water, and a bottle of Dr. Bronner’s liquid castile soap. First add your distilled water, and be sure to leave plenty of headroom. Next, squeeze your soap into the bottle—still leaving a bit of headroom for the pump. Then replace the pump and give your bottle a nice shake. Voila!

As for the soap-to-water ratio, that is totally up to you, but a ratio of one part castile soap to three parts water is a good place to start. From there you can tweak it until it’s your desired consistency. As for me, I can’t be bothered with measurements; I simply fill our 14-ounce rectangular soap dispensers with about an inch of soap.

2. Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop

DISCLAIMER: Steam can only be used on certain flooring types! Before using, make sure to consult your flooring manufacturer’s instructions!

Are you like me and sometimes find that certain chores can be so zen? That’s my experience when I’m handwashing dishes—with my hands submerged in the soothing liquid heat, while the water makes gentle splashing sounds. Ahhh!

Steam cleaning also has that effect on me. I love slowly working my steam mop back and forth across the floor, while the steam softly hisses. So relaxing!

I also absolutely love my Bissell PowerFresh steam mop, which I have had for eight years now! These days consumer goods are made to be disposable—sad but true. So I am thrilled that my beloved steam mop has stood the test of time!

I also feel better using steam to clean my floors because of my kitty. Since she’s right down there at nose level—and always eating crap off the floor—I don’t have to worry about her sensitive sniffer, nor do I worry about her ingesting unknown chemicals.

3. Bissell SteamShot Deluxe Hard Surface Steam Cleaner

[UPDATE: As of July 18, 2024, the Bissell SteamShot is currently subject to a voluntary recall, and is not available to purchase. Click here to find out more.]

2016 was the Year of Steam at my house. In addition to my PowerFresh steam mop, I purchased this little SteamShot. The Bissell SteamShot is a one-stop shop for deep cleaning without harsh chemicals. With this little guy, you can unleash the power of steam to tackle grease and grime in kitchens and bathrooms, refresh grout lines, and sanitize surfaces.

Upholstery and fabrics get a new lease on life with the fabric steamer attachment, eliminating dust mites, odors, and wrinkles. Even stubborn stains on carpets, rugs, and furniture loosen up with a steamy blast. I’ve also found that it’s an excellent way to clean the track on my sliding door, where it blasts out all of the crud!

Plus, its compact design and numerous attachments conquer tight spaces like windowsills and oven corners with ease. I especially love using the grout tool to clean out dirt from the crevices between the baseboards and flooring in my kitchen & bathrooms. It’s especially great for getting those dusty corners that your broom and mop can’t get to.

With the SteamShot, you are only limited by your imagination. I seriously used to walk around looking for ways to use it.

4. Tide Free & Gentle

I’ve been a loyal Tide user for most of my adult life; however, when I was first looking into unscented laundry detergents, All Free Clear was my first choice—probably because of its marketing. After all, it’s supposedly the:

• #1 recommended detergent brand by dermatologists, allergists and pediatricians for sensitive skin, and
• First laundry detergent brand awarded the Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association.

Well, we just did not like it. In addition to not containing dyes & perfumes, I don’t think the pods I bought included detergent either. I swear I would have had the same results had I only used water. Our clothes didn’t come out clean and some things still had an odor. I just was not impressed. Plenty of other people are, however, as I often see it recommended. Maybe my family and I are just extra dirty and stinky?

If you’re looking to try a “free and clear” laundry detergent, I definitely recommend Tide Free & Gentle.

5. OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover Powder

While I was just recently singing OxiClean’s praises in another post, I’m going to do it again. This stuff is amazing, and it’s my secret weapon for laundry, where it tackles tough stains like coffee, wine, and grass, leaving clothes bright and odor-free. Well, maybe my not-so-secret weapon since the stuff has been around since 1997, and Billy Mays used to shout at us about it. But my point stands. Despite its sketchy infomercial origins, this has become an absolute staple in so many of our homes. And while it has a very slight scent, I consider it negligible.

OxiClean isn’t just a laundry hero; it’s a multi-talented cleaning champion throughout the home. This versatile stain remover works its magic thanks to its oxygen-based formula, breaking down dirt and grime on various surfaces. You can clean grimy ovens and grills with an OxiClean paste, or soak stained carpets and rugs for a deep clean. Use it to scrub grout lines in the bathroom, remove soap scum from shower doors, or refresh dingy outdoor furniture. It even deodorizes garbage cans!

Remember, before using it on things such as fabrics, carpet, or upholstery, always test on an inconspicuous area first and follow specific instructions for different surfaces.

6. Wool Dryer Balls

Okay, so these wool balls don’t actually clean anything, but they are unscented! Seriously, though, they’re just a part of the scent free laundry experience. If you want to soften your clothes without coating them in artificially fragranced chemicals, give these a try. They have the added benefits of helping prevent wrinkles, reducing static cling, and cutting down on drying time. In fact, I went from drying my clothes on high to drying them on medium heat for a shorter amount of time.

Oh, yeah, and your cats will love them too! Beware: so will their claws!

7. Hydrogen Peroxide

From tackling grimy sponges and disinfecting surfaces to removing pesky stains and whitening dingy whites, hydrogen peroxide is a multi-talented cleaning powerhouse. It even tackles minor cuts and scrapes with its gentle disinfecting power. All in one affordable bottle, it’s a handy ally for homes seeking scent-free and effective cleaning solutions.

Here are our two favorite uses for hydrogen peroxide in our household:

Hydrogen peroxide is an excellent pretreatment for blood stains on laundry. It tackles these stains through a fizzy chemical reaction. It contains an “oxidizer” that breaks down the proteins in blood, turning the red stain into colorless components like water and oxygen. This is why you see bubbles when it touches blood!

To pretreat, always test for colorfastness in an inconspicuous area first. Then, apply hydrogen peroxide directly to the stain and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Gently blot with a clean cloth—never rub as that can spread the stain. Rinse thoroughly with cold water and proceed with your regular laundry routine, using cold water and the appropriate detergent for the fabric. Remember, the sooner you treat the stain, the better your chances of complete removal!

Also, do you ever have a problem with that pink slime in sinks, tubs, and showers? We sure do. I’ve solved the problem in our shower by drying and storing our bath products on a cart when not in use. However, for the past couple of years, our master bath sink has been afflicted by this stuff. It always appears within a few days of cleaning. It’s probably because of the leaky faucet I’ve put off submitting a maintenance request for until recently. Whoops!

Anyway, this unsightly pink slime in our bathrooms isn’t actually mold, but a bacteria called Serratia marcescens. This airborne “friend” enjoys damp environments and produces a red pigment called prodigiosin, giving it its characteristic pink hue. While generally harmless, it’s best to keep it in check. Fortunately, hydrogen peroxide comes to the rescue! It works by releasing oxygen, which disrupts the bacteria’s cell walls, effectively bursting them and leaving no pink residue behind. So, for a squeaky clean and pink-free bathroom, grab some hydrogen peroxide and give those unwelcome microbes the boot!

8. 20 Mule Team Borax

Borax, a naturally occurring mineral, is a surprising powerhouse for household chores. From boosting laundry detergent’s effectiveness to scrubbing grimy surfaces, it tackles a range of cleaning tasks. You can use it to make a DIY all-purpose cleaner for countertops, showers, and floors, leaving them sparkling clean and free of mildew. It also shines as a laundry booster, removing tough stains and odors while leaving clothes fresh and bright.

At our house, we especially love using borax for laundering towels and washcloths. These items, constantly damp and warm, are prime breeding grounds for fungus, mold, and mildew. But fear not, borax is here to save the day! Adding a half cup of borax to your laundry routine along with your regular detergent kills these unwanted guests, keeping your towels and washcloths fresh, hygienic, and free from that musty smell. This is especially important for towels used for sweaty workouts or post-shower, where fungal growth is more likely. So, give your towels and washcloths the borax treatment for a clean and healthy refresh!

9. Dawn Professional Dish Detergent (Original Scent)

Not too long ago, I shared some bad news about Dawn Original, which was very upsetting to me as a long-time fan of the product. While the original formulation had a scent, it was mild, and it didn’t leave a taste on my dishes. As for the new stuff, I had a chance to sniff it, and I find it quite potent. It’s so upsetting because nothing cuts through grease quite like Dawn, and as someone who hand washes a fair amount of her dishes, I use a lot of it. I felt I should at least voice my displeasure to Procter & Gamble, which I did via email. They offered me a $4.00 coupon for Dawn! D’oh!

Luckily, I just bought a large bottle of the old formulation back in November, so it will last me quite a while. However, when I inevitably run out, I think I will opt for something from the Dawn Professional line. Dawn Professional is a separate division of Procter & Gamble, so I don’t think their products have been tainted with the new scent. However, I recommend that you sniff before you buy!

10. Meliora All-Purpose Home Cleaner Spray

I first tried this years ago when I used to subscribe to MightyNest. While this stuff is sold as an all purpose cleaner, I actually discovered that it works great as a dust spray & furniture polish! It picks up dust, cleans up any goop, and because it contains glycerin, it leaves behind a nice sheen. No more artificial lemon scent filling my home!

Did I mention that it’s unscented…oh, and Leaping Bunny certified.

11. Fizzion Extra Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator*

I have saved the best for last!

I discovered this amazing product over a decade ago. It was recommended for cleaning up pet stains and odors by The Cat Daddy himself, Jackson Galaxy. At the time, we had a kitty named Phoenix who suffered from both urinary incontinence as well as interstitial cystitis.

Because of her incontinence, our carpet was covered in little urine stains. And sometimes when her cystitis would flare, she would fully urinate on the carpet. I tried so many products over the years and nothing helped. As a frequent viewer of My Cat From Hell on Animal Planet, I had a lot of respect for Jackson Galaxy. So, when he mentioned Fizzion at one point, I figured I’d give it a whirl.

The stuff worked! It not only got rid of the stains, it totally eliminated the urine odor! And that is no small feat. The smell of cat urine is distinct and powerful. No other product, including the highly recommended Nature’s Miracle, had ever touched the odor. And if you are at all familiar with cats, you’ll know that once a cat has urinated in a spot, they will continue to urinate in that spot unless that smell is completely removed.

Once we found a food that helped to eliminate Phoenix’s incontinence, I still continued to use Fizzion for other purposes. I’d spray it on a stain and—poof—the stain would disappear. Coffee, chocolate, blood, mold—you name it and Fizzion will very likely eliminate it. And while Fizzion does have scent, it is a mild and actually very pleasing scent. I like the smell so much that I periodically spray it on our furniture to refresh it, rather than cover it in perfume with Febreze. And unlike Febreze, once Fizzion has dried, there is no fragrance left behind.

I swear I’m not a shill for Fizzion! I seriously just love the product and absolutely recommend that everyone have a bottle of it in their home whether or not they have pets. According to the makers of Fizzion, protein is the cause of all pet and people stains. Fizzion, being a CO₂ cleaner, “pries open the proteins, then it unleashes safe-but-powerful surfactants (in other words, soap) that eliminates all evidence of even the toughest stain.”

They even have a handy stain removal guide on their website, so that you will know how best to approach various types of stains.

*It’s also available at Amazon, albeit through a third party vendor.

In Conclusion

So there you have it! My 11 essential cleaning products for those who are sensitive to fragrance. Remember, while these are my personal favorites, every household and nose is different. Do your research, sniff before you buy, and don’t be afraid to experiment until you find what works best for you. After all, creating a clean and comfortable home that doesn’t trigger headaches or respiratory issues is totally worth the effort!

Finally, if you have your own nose- and lung-friendly products to recommend, drop them in the comments!

Happy cleaning (and breathing freely)!