In all the television ads for Febreze, they say that the spray actually eliminates the odor, it doesn't just cover it up. Ever wonder how this is possible? Well our Denver Cleaning Services staff did wonder and we decided to find an answer. It turns out, there is actually a simple explanation for it, based on the chemistry of the compound that makes up Febreze. Here, we'll do our best to explain in terms everyone can understand. Although this might give the ending away, you should know-it does work, just not in the way you think.
All kinds of Febreze, scented or unscented, have the same active ingredient. It is beta-cyclodextrin, which is a carbohydrate. Specifically, it is an eight-sugar ringed molecule that is made during the conversion of starch. It is typically made from the starch found in corn-bet you didn't know that the cornfields of the Midwest make cleaning products, too!
The ringed beta-cyclodextrin is combined with water and fragrance to make Febreze. When it is launched into the air as you spray it out, the water and beta-cyclodextrin work separately. The ring itself is hydrophilic, but inside it is hydrophobic-this means that the outside of the ring will cooperate with water while the inside will cooperate with things more like oils and fats-things that cause odor. The water partially dissolves the odor, and then the inside of the ring pulls it in, trapping it inside. It actually binds to the ring in its new, dissolved form. This changes the stink molecule, rendering it unable to bind with your nose's odor receptors. At this point, the molecule that caused the stink is actually still present, you just can't tell. You may smell only the scent of the Febreze at this point.
As the Febreze dries, additional odor molecules bind to the beta-cyclodextrin, continuing to lower the number of "activated" stink molecules. This is where most of us stop, but this is the important step. If you are interested in removing the molecules that caused the stink-not just "deactivating" them-then you actually need to add water again! If you can, spray the area with water and then wipe away where it lands. The water will release the odor chemicals, helping you to wash them away now that they are trapped against a surface.
Spray the water, and then quickly wipe away where it lands. You will effectively eliminate the odor the way Febreze advertises you can, but it will take a little extra work.
Really, it is best just to clean as much as possible, before the odors start. Nothing will get rid of smells as effectively as just a regular cleaning. Don't rely on Febreze to make up for your skipped cleaning sessions-just use regular disinfectants in the kitchen, take out the trash, scrub the toilet weekly, and run your dishwasher. You'll be impressed to see how well a little effort early on will prevent your need for things like Febreze. A clean home just smells good-bottom line.
If you are interested more on this topic or other cleaning topics, see what our Denver Cleaning Service has been posting on their cleaning tips blog.
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