If banishing toxic items from your home is top of your 2026 to-do list, where better to start than with your bedroom's air quality?
After all, it's the space where you relax, unwind, and get a good night's rest, so anything hampering your ability to do any of those things healthily is an unwelcome one that has to go.
I spoke to toxicology experts for their guidance on which toxic item in your bedroom you should prioritize banishing first, and the answer might surprise you as air fresheners are often found in most rooms of the house.
Toxic Air Fresheners Should Be Immediately Banished From Your Bedroom
We're all about designing bedrooms for better sleep and making bedrooms smell like luxurious hotel suites. But, warns Jeanine Humphrey, air quality specialist with M.A.R.S Environmental, there's one item that should never be part of your sleep space – plug-in air fresheners. So, are air fresheners toxic? In short, yes.
Jeanine explains, 'Reducing nighttime chemical exposure is extremely impactful. Plug-in air fresheners emit fragrances 24/7 and are one of the most overlooked sources of indoor air quality problems. They should be removed from the bedroom because they continuously release VOCs and synthetic fragrance chemicals into the air all day and night long.
'Those chemicals accumulate overnight in enclosed spaces, and people are breathing that in while they're sleeping. Exposure to such has been linked to headaches, sleep disruption, asthma flare-ups, and hormone disruption.
'Your bedroom should be a recovery space for your body, lungs, and nervous system instead of a space where chemicals are released for hours straight.'
Therefore, while you may be prioritizing making your home smell nice, what you really should be focusing on are non-toxic ways to make your home smell nice, particularly if you're keen to avoid any air-quality mistakes this year.
Jason Luculano, founder of ZeroToxins, agrees with Jeanine. 'I'd certainly suggest air fresheners – especially plug-ins and fragranced sprays – as the one item to remove from the bedroom,' he shares.
'These are massive endocrine disruptors. Over 75 percent of households use them, and they can release VOCs and synthetic chemicals that linger for a long time in enclosed spaces like bedrooms and significantly impact air quality and sleep.'
What to Do Instead
So, instead, Jeanine recommends:
- Use activated charcoal odor absorbers, available at Amazon, which work to effectively remove odors without releasing fragrances or chemicals. Jeanine adds, 'They are also ideal for bedrooms and closets and are non-toxic and safe for children and pets.'
- Add one of the best air purifiers to your bedroom, preferably one with a HEPA filter, such as the LEVOIT Air Purifier available at Amazon. 'Even better, combine both by looking for a HEPA purifier with carbon filters,' adds Jeanine. 'These are especially helpful for those who suffer from allergies.'
- Open your windows for a little bit each day – and yes, you should open your windows, even in winter.
- Wash, dry, and care for your bed linen weekly, to ensure a fresh sleep space and optimal sleep hygiene. This is one of the crucial things people with clean bedrooms always do.
- Finally, control the humidity in your home to keep nighttime bedroom levels at 40 to 50 percent. This will help avoid sore throats and dry mouths overnight. A hygrometer, available at Amazon, is ideal for keeping an eye on levels.
More to Shop
These number one bestselling activated charcoal odor absorbers are compact, discreet, and leak-proof, with hooks for handy hanging in your closet or cupboards.
This portable and compact air purifier filters smoke, combats common allergens, pet dander, odors, and dust, and features an all-important activated carbon filter.
This digital hygrometer refreshes every 10 seconds for super accurate, real-time readings, and includes a wellness indicator for air conditions.
You may also need a dehumidifier to maintain humidity levels. This affordable pick features an auto shut-off function for safety and peace of mind.
Struggling to pick non-toxic candles? This pick boasts a clean burn time of 35 hours and a sweet, honeysuckle scent, and is made from soy and vegetable wax.
Using essential oils in a simmer pot or all around your home is one of the easiest ways to make your home smell good, without the toxins of a plug-in freshener.
Meet the Experts
It's not just your bedroom you need to worry about – there's also toxic bathroom storage you'll need to replace, and microplastic switches to make in the kitchen.
