12 everyday products giving off fumes you don’t want
You may not think about it, but a lot of common household products release fumes that aren’t great for your air quality. These fumes build up indoors, especially in tightly sealed houses, and they can make allergies worse, irritate your lungs, or just leave your home smelling off.
Knowing what products to watch for—and how to use them safely—helps you cut down on unnecessary exposure.
Air Fresheners and Plug-Ins
Air fresheners promise a clean scent, but they’re usually loaded with VOCs.
Those volatile organic compounds don’t just disappear; they linger in your home. Over time, they can irritate your lungs or trigger headaches. Stick to essential oil diffusers or natural sprays if you want fragrance without the chemical haze.
Nonstick Cookware Past Its Prime
Old nonstick pans can release fumes when heated.
If the coating is scratched or flaking, it’s more likely to break down at high heat. These fumes can irritate sensitive airways and make your kitchen air less healthy. Switching to stainless steel or cast iron gives you peace of mind.
Household Paints
Even paints labeled “low-VOC” still release fumes.
When you paint indoors without good ventilation, you’re breathing in chemicals long after the job is done. Cracking windows and running fans speeds up the off-gassing process so the air clears faster.
Cleaning Sprays
Strong multipurpose cleaners often come with hidden fumes.
Many contain ammonia or bleach, which release irritating gases as you spray. Always clean with a window cracked open and avoid mixing products, which can be dangerous.
Vinyl Flooring and New Carpets
Fresh flooring materials can off-gas for weeks.
That “new carpet” smell is actually chemicals being released into your home. Airing out the space and vacuuming with a HEPA filter helps reduce how much lingers indoors.
Scented Candles
Most candles use paraffin wax, which gives off soot and VOCs.
Burning them often in small spaces can leave your air smoky and stale. If you love candles, go for beeswax or soy-based ones with cotton wicks.
Dry-Cleaned Clothes
That chemical smell on dry-cleaned clothes is perchloroethylene.
It clings to fabric and slowly releases into the air. Let clothes air out in a garage or porch before putting them into your closet.
Nail Polish and Removers
Nail products often contain acetone and formaldehyde.
These chemicals evaporate quickly and spread through the room. Painting nails near an open window keeps fumes from building up in your house.
Aerosol Sprays
Hairsprays, deodorants, and furniture polishes in aerosol form spread VOCs.
Since they’re pressurized, they release fine particles that hang in the air. Switching to pump sprays or solid alternatives cuts that problem down.
Gas Stoves
Gas burners release nitrogen dioxide as they heat.
Cooking without running a range hood means those fumes stay in your kitchen. Even cracking a window while cooking makes a noticeable difference.
New Furniture
Particleboard and pressed wood furniture often off-gas formaldehyde.
That chemical smell in new pieces can last for months. Keeping windows open for a few days after setting up new furniture helps air things out.
Laundry Products with Heavy Fragrance
Scent boosters and detergents release VOCs when clothes are drying.
That strong smell coming from the dryer vent isn’t as harmless as it seems. Switching to fragrance-free products can help improve indoor air quality.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
