The Office Survival Kit: Should You Use Air Fresheners in the Office (or the Office Loo)?

Photo by Fahmi Garna

Ah, air fresheners - the great cover-up artists of workplace odours. A quick spray, a discreet plug-in, or a strategically placed automatic dispenser, and suddenly, the office loo smells like a ‘tropical breeze’ (which, let’s be honest, smells nothing like the tropics). But are air fresheners actually the best solution for keeping your office and its toilets smelling fresh?

Spoiler alert: Not really. Here’s why - along with what you can do instead.

The Problem with Air Fresheners

1. They don’t actually clean anything. Air fresheners don’t remove odours; they just mask them. A heavily perfumed bathroom still contains the same… issues… as an unperfumed one. And when a toilet odour meets an artificial vanilla scent, the result is often worse than the original problem.

   
   

2. They can trigger allergies and headaches. Many air fresheners contain chemicals like phthalates and VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which can cause headaches, dizziness, and irritation. If half the office is sneezing or getting migraines after a quick spritz of ‘Ocean Mist,’ you might have a problem.

   
   

3. They don’t fool anyone. We all know the scent of desperation when someone has sprayed too much ‘fresh linen’ in a panic. Instead of making things better, it just announces to the entire office that something very unpleasant has just happened.

   
   

What to Do Instead

So, if air fresheners aren’t the answer, what is? Here are some better (and less offensive) ways to keep your office and its toilets fresh:

1. Improve ventilation

Nothing beats fresh air. If your office has windows, open them. If not, invest in a good extractor fan or air purifier. Proper airflow reduces stale smells and helps eliminate bacteria that cause odours.

2. Use natural deodorisers

Instead of chemical sprays, try:

• A bowl of baking soda - Absorbs odours naturally.

• Activated charcoal - Works wonders for keeping smells at bay.

• Essential oil diffusers - A few drops of lemon or eucalyptus oil in a diffuser freshen up the air without synthetic fragrances.

  
  

3. Keep things actually clean

No amount of ‘Lavender Meadow’ can cover up a neglected toilet. Regular deep cleaning is the real solution. If your workplace toilets are a horror show, it might be time to call in professional cleaners (ahem like us at Best Choice Cleaning Company).

4. Encourage good toilet etiquette

No one wants to talk about it, but it’s time we did.

• Flush properly. Every. Single. Time.

• If your office has a ‘courtesy flush’ rule, use it.

• If you make an odorous contribution, consider a preemptive courtesy spray (but go easy on the trigger).

  
  

5. Striking Matches: A Risky Classic

Some people swear by striking a match in the toilet to eliminate bad smells. Technically, it works - the sulphur dioxide released burns away odour molecules. However, it also leaves behind a distinct "burnt match" smell and could be a fire risk (especially in small, paper-filled office loos). Unless you want to explain to HR why you were playing with fire in the bathroom, it’s probably best to stick to safer solutions!

6. Consider a discreet air purifier

If odours are a persistent issue, a small, quiet air purifier can do the job far better than a spray can. Some even come with built-in odour-eliminating filters.

Final Verdict? Ditch the Overpowering Air Fresheners!

Using air fresheners in the office or the loo is like spraying perfume instead of taking a shower - it’s a temporary fix at best. Instead, focus on actual cleanliness, ventilation, and natural deodorisers for an office that smells fresh without making everyone choke on ‘Citrus Burst.’ And if your office or toilets need a proper deep clean? You know who to call (hint: Best Choice Cleaning Company).