"Febreeze" odor remover

[Mary Ballard <BallardM@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi everyone. I been investigating the commercial product "Febreeze" which is said to remove odors and staleness in fabrics--and to be 'safe for all fabrics' 1) The product is primarily water with 1-5% ethanol according to its Material Safety Data Sheet. While this may be 'safe' for all fabrics, dyes or finishes ( including sizes) are not necessarily impervious to the ethanol and water. Repairs in tapestries, 19th-early 20th century dyes, may be induced to bleed; some fabrics may shrinkage, expand, or distort. 2) The product most probably contains cyclodextrins which are spherical molecules with a hydrophilic exterior and hydrophobic interior. Perfume oils, esters and other odors [a chemical capable of detection by your nose] may be arrested and held by the hydrophobic center. The filled cyclodextrin will wash out (being soluble due to its hydrophilic exterior). 3)Product directions instruct the user to spray the textile UNTIL IT IS DAMP. This spraying will add a surprising amount of weight to a fabric. 
Conclusion: Using this product may alter the shape and dimensions of the textile. It may cause a headache (alcohol induced hangover)for the person spraying except in a well ventilated area. It may cause dye bleeding. The textile should be flat and if sprayed to reduce the possibility of strain (i.e. distortion  or elongation). The textile will need to be wetcleaned eventually to remove the residual.