Question : Safe scents?

[darkmage3]

So we just got out first bird and my wife wanted me to ask if there are any safe scents or air freshiners you can use in your home. I have been told that Pluggins of any kind are very bad, scented candles should be avoided as well, no one has mentioned the heated stuff but i am sure that any of those burners are out as well.

What about things like Febreeze, non burning scented candles, jelly scents, potpouri, tree airfreshiners, stickups , etc etc.

Please educate me so that we don't have an accident in our home.

[Jannabellsmom]

I heard Febreeze can kill a bird. Maybe boil a little cinnamon in water, when the birds are caged, of course. I've heard you can leave a little fresh lemon out on the counter but have never tried it. I'd like to do something with fresh mint leaves but I'm not sure what. Do you remember pomander balls? Basically and apple or an orange stuck all thru with cloves. We used to make them as kids. In any case, any airborne chemical, including perfume can harm our little bird's lungs. I'm interested too to hear of ideas for making our homes smell fabulous and inviting.

[SisterBlue]

I know many will disagree, but I have always used scented candles (Gold Canyon) with birds for many many years without a problem. However, my house is a very open floor plan with like 15 foot ceilings, so there are no small closed-in rooms. I also just burn them long enough to get a light scent in the air then I blow them out - I don't like heavy scents. I have also used Febreeze for years. I don't spray it right next to the cages, of course. I go by the "common sense, and everything in moderation" method of life and it's worked well for the birds and the kids so far. :)

I also found a great citrus air freshener (I like the grapefruit the best - it literally smells just like you cut into a fresh grapefruit, no chemical-type smell at all) that's all natural...can't think of the brand right now but I'll look at it after work, but it's lovely. I spray a tiny bit on the A/C filter periodically and it gives just a hint of grapefruit scent, and I use it in the trash cans as well.

-SB

EDIT to clarify that I do not ever spray Febreeze into the air - I use it on the upholstered couch and chair (we have 3 dogs and it's a necessity).

[Poohsbirds97]

I boil the cinnamon as well. I have always heard candle and febreeze are no-no's so I just dont buy them. So for our household its just the basics.

[Jessie Skiffen]

Because I have asthma I read articles about things that are bad for people with or without asthma. They all say that the candles and smell well sprays are--AIR POLUTION. If they're bad for us it's a sure bet that they're bad for birds.
Jessie

[nailsrglue]

Sprays and anything that burns is bad. air fresheners in our home are used in the bathroom and bedrooms with doors closed only. And we use it sparingly. It can get passed through the ac system, so we use as little as possible in these rooms. There is a scented candle on the farthest side of the house that is only burned for a few minutes behind closed doors. If something smokes in the kitchen, we immediately open the back door to air out the room.

The best is to boil cinnamon, leave out cut lemons, and anything else that is totally all natural. Just use common sense if you must refresh a room, and never do it to the room the birds live in.

[NaniOokami]

Boiling cut oranges works wonders too, if you like a citrus-y scent to your house!