[Home Tips] How to choose between indoor fragrance and deodorization for a healthy lifestyle?

🏠 Why do Hong Kong people love using room fragrances and deodorizing products?

Hong Kong is a small place, especially in a densely populated residential area with high-rise buildings. Air circulation is poor, which can easily lead to the accumulation of odors. For example:

• 🍳Cooking fumes (especially when frying or boiling seafood)
• 🐶Pet odor
• 🚬Smoke
• 🗑️Garbage or damp and musty smell

Since opening windows for ventilation may not be feasible for long periods of time (due to the heat in summer, cold in winter, and poor air quality outside), many people choose to use fragrance or deodorizer products to improve air quality.

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🌸 Fragrance vs. Deodorant: The Essential Difference

💡Editor 's Tip : Fragrance ≠ deodorization. Fragrance only "masks" the odor, while deodorization "solves" it. Address the source of the odor first, then consider using fragrance to enhance the scent.

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🧪 Health risks and selection precautions

According to various Hong Kong and international studies, some fragrances and deodorants may release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) , formaldehyde or phthalates . Long-term inhalation of these substances may cause:

• 🤧 Nasal allergies, asthma attacks
• 😵 Dizziness and headache
• 🤒 Respiratory tract inflammation
• 🧬 Potential carcinogenic risk from long-term exposure (to some chemicals)

Key points for purchasing safety products:

1. Check ingredient labels
   • Give priority to products labeled "formaldehyde-free", "phthalate-free" and "low VOC".
2. Choose naturally derived fragrances
   • For example, 100% pure essential oils (Lavender, Lemon, Tea Tree).
3. Avoid long-term closed use
   • Whether using fragrance or deodorization, proper ventilation should be maintained.
4. Pay attention to sensitive groups
   • If there are pregnant women, infants, elderly people, or asthma patients at home, they should avoid using high-concentration fragrances or ozone devices.

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🛠️ Practical solutions for home deodorization and fragrance in Hong Kong

Based on the Hong Kong environment, the editor recommends the following healthy practices👇

1️⃣ Treat odor at the source

• Clean up grease immediately after cooking and turn on the range hood.
• Garbage is taken out daily and trash cans are cleaned.
• Clean pet supplies regularly and expose them to the sun.

2️⃣ Natural deodorization method (low risk✅)

• Baking soda : absorbs odors (refrigerator, shoe cabinet, kitchen corner).
• Activated carbon : continuously absorbs odor molecules in the air.
• Wipe with white vinegar water : decompose odor and antibacterial.

3️⃣ Healthy fragrance selection

• Diffuser Stones/Wood Chips : Use with pure essential oils, no heating or burning required.
• Low temperature water oxygen machine : use pure essential oil + distilled water, avoid adding fragrance.
• Fire-free aromatherapy reed sticks : Choose a formula without alcohol or synthetic fragrance.

4️⃣ Pay attention to the usage environment

• Ventilate the room for at least 15 minutes daily.
• When using fragrance or deodorizing products, avoid spraying directly on people or pets.
• Clean the fragrance machine regularly to prevent mold growth.

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💡 Editor's Summary

Hong Kong people like to use fragrance to make their homes more comfortable, but health comes first🫶.

• The key is to deodorize first and then add fragrance .
• Choose fragrance products with safe and hypoallergenic ingredients to avoid over-reliance on artificial fragrances.
• Although natural methods have a light fragrance, they are less burdensome to the body and safer in the long run.
• Remember to keep the room ventilated when using it, so that the fragrance can flow with the air, which is the true "healthy aroma life".