Choosing the right air freshener for office spaces can have a variety of benefits. The most obvious is that it makes your work environment smell better, which improves the atmosphere for your employees and any clients or customers who come into the building. Research also shows that the right scents can increase productivity.
What To Look for in an Air Freshener for Office Areas
There are a few things to take into consideration when choosing an air freshener for your office.
Choose a Subtle Scent
Overpowering scents may be unpleasant for some employees and guests and can be a health concern for people with allergies or sensitivities to artificial smells. A background aroma that is just barely perceptible is best for an air freshener for office workers.
Don’t Try To Mask Odors
Foul smells or musty odors can indicate a serious problem with your workspaces, such as a sewage or water leak or mold problem. Instead of trying to cover up the odor, contact a professional to inspect your building and once you have found the source of the odor, eliminate it.
Consider the Size of Your Office
The best scenting device for your space depends on how big your space is. Research how many square feet the device can cover. For large areas, you may want to consider a device that can cover your whole building.
Choose Your Scents Thoughtfully
Many scents have aromatherapy benefits. Select scents based not just on what you think smells good but also on their other benefits.
Each Type of Air Freshener for Office Spaces
There are two main components of any air freshener for office environments. The first is the device that disperses the scent. The second is the substance that produces the scent. Both components play a role in the effectiveness of your scenting solution.
Scent Diffusers
Scent diffusers provide a way to spread the smell of essential oils throughout a room or an entire building. You can use either a single scent or a mixture of scents in a diffuser. Scent diffusers come in several types. The best kind for your building depends on the type of room, run time, size of the room, power source and material.
Devices that can be connected to your HVAC system are the best choice for scenting your entire office. If you prefer to scent individual rooms or areas, smaller units may work best.
Reed Diffusers
This type of air freshener for office areas uses wooden sticks or reeds inserted into a bottle of fragrance or essential oil. The oil moves up the reed, and the scent is released into the air when it gets to the top. These diffusers produce scent for as long as there is oil in the bottle and do not produce a mist. They do not use electricity, heat or water. Reed diffusers are a low-maintenance option and are best used in smaller spaces, such as bathrooms and entryways.
Nebulizer Diffusers
These diffusers break down the oil molecules so that they can be more easily dispersed throughout the room. The pump used in the diffuser determines how much area the scent can cover. These diffusers can be challenging to clean due to the many small parts.
Whole-Home Diffusers
These are nebulizer diffusers that can be connected to your building’s HVAC system to distribute fragrance into every room of the building. These diffusers are easier to use and maintain than other nebulizing diffusers.
Water Diffusers
This affordable air freshener for office buildings has a basin that you fill with water and oil. It uses ultrasonic waves to diffuse the water and oil into the room. These diffusers can be used in large rooms. They produce a mist and can be substituted for humidifiers.
Fan-Style Diffusers
These diffusers contain an absorbent pad or a tray to hold the oil. The fan blows across the oil to disperse the scent into the room. Different sizes are available for small rooms up to whole buildings.
Electric Heat Diffusers
These devices have a similar appearance to a teacup saucer with a small indentation in the center for the oil. The diffuser uses electricity to heat the oil and spread the scent. These devices are easy to clean and come in different sizes to accommodate different size rooms.
Candle Diffusers
This air freshener for office environments is similar to an electric heat diffuser but uses a candle to heat the oil instead of electricity.
Terracotta Diffusers
These devices look like clay pots or bottles that are closed with a cork. The scent from the oil in these diffusers escapes as the oil permeates the clay. The odor tends to be strongest when the diffuser is first filled with oil and reduces over time.
Air Freshening Fans
Air freshening fans use a battery-powered fan to spread a fragrance from an insertable cartridge. These fresheners do not require electricity and can be left on all the time if you want. The fans can be mounted on walls or placed on desks or other surfaces. These devices may be good choices for scenting individual offices and restrooms.
Passive Air Freshening Devices
A passive air freshener for office buildings is inexpensive and easy to use. It does not need electricity or batteries. It can work well for small spaces, such as drawers, closets, cabinets, restroom stalls and elevators. However, the scent choices are limited.
Air Purifiers
These devices trap pollutants and other odor-causing particles to eliminate odors.
Plug-Ins
Plug-In fresheners plug into a wall outlet and use heat to release scents into the air.
Enzymatic Cleaners
Enzymatic cleaning products break down and destroy odors.
Types of Scents
There are a variety of different substances that are used in an air freshener for office spaces to produce the desired smell.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are often used for aromatherapy. They were first used in Egypt and India in around 2000 B.C.
Scented Oils
These are artificial scents that mimic natural scents, such as flowers or trees, or manufactured scents, such as new car smell or clean linen.
Aerosol Sprays
These scented sprays disperse liquid that is under pressure and rapidly evaporates when released into the air. They come in varieties that must be activated manually whenever you want to use them, automatically spray at regular intervals chosen by the user, or are triggered by a motion sensor. Spray dispensers can be a useful air freshener for office areas such as restrooms, main areas and lobbies.
Scented Candles
Scented candles can diffuse scents throughout a room but are probably not the best choice for most work environments because of the fire risk.
Pros and Cons of Different Types of Air Fresheners
The various types of air fresheners you can use have benefits and drawbacks.
Sprays
Aerosol sprays are the most popular type of air freshener. Some varieties cover up bad smells with a more pleasant smell, while others can eliminate bad odors by trapping the odor molecules. Sprays are inexpensive and portable but only work in small areas and may release volatile organic compounds that can irritate the lungs or trigger asthma in some people.
Candles
Scented candles are inexpensive and come in a variety of scents. However, they usually only work in a small area and can pose a fire risk as an air freshener for office buildings.
Essential Oils
Essential oils can mask unpleasant odors and could enhance mood, reduce anxiety or improve concentration and memory. Additionally, essential oils may have antiviral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. However, the smell can be an irritant to employees with sensitivities.
Scented Oils
Scented oils are usually less expensive than essential oils and come in a wider variety of scents because they can mimic odors not found in nature. However, they expire faster and do not have the health benefits associated with essential oils.
Diffusers
Diffusers come in a variety of types to adapt to different room sizes and conditions. They can work well in either moist or dry environments as an air freshener for office spaces.
Air Purifiers
The main benefit of air purifiers is that rather than just changing the smell of the air, they remove irritants and pollutants and may reduce allergy symptoms. However, you might want to avoid models that produce ozone because it can irritate the lungs and is bad for the environment.
Plug-Ins and Solid Air Fresheners
These units do not require much maintenance beyond replacing them when the scented gel is gone. However, some contain chemicals that may be toxic.
Cleaning Products
Cleaning products eliminate bad odors so that they do not come back when your air freshener for office wears off. Most do not leave a lasting scent, so if you want to add a scent to the air, you may need to use an additional product.
Best Scents for the Office
Once you have decided on the type of scent and the device to deliver it with, the final component is deciding which aroma to use.
Clean Linen
This is a simple and refreshing scent that is neutral but provides enough fragrance to be noticeable all day.
Lemon
Lemon provides a clean, crisp smell that can be used year-round. It may help relieve tension, increase alertness, improve concentration, reduce anger and lower anxiety. It also promotes a perception of cleanliness and has anti-bacterial properties that could reduce colds. Some studies have shown that lemon scents might reduce errors when used in an air freshener for office buildings.
Lavender
This is a stronger scent that may have aromatherapy benefits. Lavender has been shown to be relaxing and could help reduce stress and anxiety, soothe the nerves and reduce tension.
Rosemary
This strong, fresh, woodsy scent may help control cortisol levels, leading to reduced stress. It can also stimulate the mind, relieve fatigue, increase circulation and alertness and improve memory and concentration. It can help repel bugs, so if you have an issue with insects in your workspace, this scent may be a good choice for an air freshener for office areas.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon has been shown to be effective in enhancing mood, reducing depression and anxiety and improving sleep and productivity. It may also increase alertness and improve attention to detail and focus.
Jasmine
This smell is subtle and sweet. It could help relieve stress, anxiety, tension and depression. It can be a revitalizing fragrance that can soothe, uplift and calm.
Peppermint
Peppermint may stimulate mental clarity and alertness, boost energy and improve focus.
Bergamot
This scent is an uplifting and sweet citrus. It may have mood-boosting properties as an air freshener for office spaces and reduce anxiety, stress and depression. The smell is clean, bright and happy.
Geranium
This is a luxurious floral scent that may improve mood. It is a light but high-intensity aroma.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass has a fresh, lemony smell that can be invigorating and may reduce anxiety and depression. It can also act as a natural insect repellant. The aroma is earthy, fresh and citrusy.
Clove
Clove is a warm, spicy, fall scent that can add a grounding and peaceful feel to your office. It is a popular choice around the holidays.
Coffee
Coffee may enhance analytical reasoning and increase attentiveness, making it a good choice for an air freshener for office workspaces.
Fragrance Sensitivity
Some people develop headaches, skin rashes or have difficulty breathing when exposed to scents for long periods of time. People who have asthma, allergies or chemical sensitivities may be more susceptible to fragrance sensitivity and have allergy-like reactions to scents.
Scents are irritants, rather than allergens, but can cause similar symptoms:
- Headaches
- Wheezing
- Difficulty breathing
- Worsening of asthma symptoms
- Chest tightness
- Sneezing
- Nasal congestion or drip
- Contact dermatitis
It is a good idea to consult with employees to check for fragrance sensitivities before adding scents to your office environment.
Freshen Your Entire Office With Whole Home Scenting
Our Whole Home Scenting system eliminates the need to go from room to room in your building refilling or replacing your air freshener for office areas. It allows you to control the smell of your entire office from a single device. To find out more, contact us online.
