Template:Short description Template:Infobox brand 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.
First introduced in test markets in March 1996,<ref>"P&G tests Febreze", Advertising Age, May 9, 1996</ref> 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.
IngredientsEdit
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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The active ingredient is produced from corn cobs.<ref>*P&G. (2014). Febreze FAQ (in japanese). Retrieved: http://www.febreze.jp/Faq.aspx?id=4442 Template:Webarchive [July 14, 2014].</ref> The use of cyclodextrin as a sprayable odor absorber was patented by Procter & Gamble.<ref>Uncomplexed cyclodextrin solutions for odor control on inanimate surfaces. US Pat. No. 5,714,137. Filed 1994; assigned 1998.</ref>
The products include additional ingredients such as emulsifiers, preservatives, and perfumes. Benzisothiazolinone is a preservative included in some of the products.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>
LinesEdit
{{ safesubst:#invoke:Unsubst||date=__DATE__ |$B= {{ safesubst:#invoke:Unsubst||date=__DATE__ |$B= Template:Ambox }} }} 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.
MarketingEdit
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.<ref name="NYT mag story">Template:Cite news</ref>
Animal safetyEdit
Febreze fabric freshener products are considered safe for use in households with pets.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> However, the package labeling indicates that the product is considered not safe around birds, and results from testing with other animals are not indicated.Template:Citation needed
See alsoEdit
- Olfactory fatigue, referred to as "nose blind" in advertising campaign