Febreze
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| Product type | Air freshener |
|---|---|
| Owner | Procter & Gamble |
| Country | United States |
| Introduced | June 1996 |
| Markets | Worldwide |
| Website | www |
Febreze is a brand of household odor eliminators manufactured by Procter & Gamble, and sold in North America, Brazil, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.
The name "Febreze" comes from the words "fabric" and "breeze." First introduced in test markets in March 1996, 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.
According to Febreze instructions, spraying fabrics at a distance of 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) will eliminate odors. Procter & Gamble does not recommend using Febreze on leather products as it may affect the color. Febreze should not be stored in direct sunlight, high heat, or where it can be reached by children.
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. The active ingredient is derived from corn. The original formula was developed in Plymouth, England. The use of a cyclodextrin as a sprayable odor absorber is patented by Procter & Gamble.
The products include additional ingredients such as emulsifiers, preservatives, and perfumes. Benzisothiazolinone is a preservative included in some of the products.
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.
In other countries, there are Febreze products for house dust and toilet facilities.
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.
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Wikipedia