Febreze

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.

Febreze
Product typeAir freshener
OwnerProcter & Gamble
CountryUnited States
IntroducedMarch 1996 (1996-03)
MarketsWorldwide
Websitewww.febreze.com

The name "Febreze" comes from the words "fabric" and "breeze."[1] First introduced in test markets in March 1996,[2] 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 product was initially introduced in the UK under the name Fabreeze, but has since changed to Febreze.[3]

In many non-English speaking countries, the products are sold under Ambi pur brand.

Ingredients
beta-cyclodextrin (HPβCD), produced from corn cobs

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.[4] The active ingredient is derived from corn.[5] The use of cyclodextrin as a sprayable odor absorber was patented by Procter & Gamble.[6]

The products include additional ingredients such as emulsifiers, preservatives, and perfumes. Benzisothiazolinone is a preservative included in some of the products.[7]

Lines

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
  • Bedding Refresher
  • NOTICEables
  • 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.

Marketing

The product, initially marketed as a way to get rid of unpleasant smells, 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 odor elimination properties as well.[8]

Safety

Veterinary toxicology experts working for the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center consider Febreze fabric freshener products to be safe for use in homes with pet dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, and rodents.[9] However, the package labeling indicates that the product is considered not safe around birds, and results from testing with other animals are not indicated.

See also

References
  1. P&G. (2014). "P&G 40 years in Japan". Retrieved: July 14, 2014.
  2. "P&G tests Febreze", Advertising Age, May 9, 1996
  3. Oxbridge Notes. "Designs Case Law Notes". Oxbridge Notes. Oxbridge Notes. Retrieved 17 November 2017. FACTS OF THE CASE: Fabreeze and Air wick bottle designs - P&G said that RB copied their bottle design (RCD) for Air Wick product Level of generality was important - all bottles with a spray must have some general features in common.
  4. "Chemical Functional Definitions - Cyclodextrin". Procter&Gamble. 2005.
  6. Uncomplexed cyclodextrin solutions for odor control on inanimate surfaces. US Pat. No. 5,714,137. Filed 1994; assigned 1998.
  7. Febreze® Air Effects® All Varieties (PDF), retrieved 5 April 2016
  8. Duhigg, Charles (February 19, 2012). "How Companies Learn Your Secrets". The New York Times Magazine. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
  9. "FAQ - Cleaning Products - Febreze". ASPCA. 2015. Retrieved 2015-03-07.
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