Classroom fragrance

[itutorfortravel]

Hi there, I'm looking for a fragrance mechanism / fragrance for my classroom.

Thinking about:

an electric tart warmer from yankee candle with a removable cup (so I can bring it home to pop in the freezer and remove the tart) OR a wallflower plug-in from bath and body works...has anyone used either in their classrooms and if so which one seemed to produce the best fragrance? I want to smell the fragrance!

as far as scents, looking for something with lemon, cinnamon, mint...all supposedly good scents for concentration and mood anyone have any suggestions in the yankee candle or bath and body works collection? I want a nice scent - again, something I can smell - but I don't want it to be the overpowering type that can be considered offensive or affect those sensitive to fragrances.

Thanks!

 

[Christine]

I'm glad to see you have an awareness that some are allergic or bothered to these fragrances. I would be one of them!!

Please, please, please, do not use a B@BW wallflower in your classroom. I tried them in my house and my eyelids broke out in a rash. There was only one fragrance that didn't bother me and, of course, they discontinued it.

Yankee fragrances are no better, although I tolerate the White Barn candles just fine for some reason.

I really, really want to caution you against using a fragrance in a closed room. If you have just *one* person with a sensitivity or asthma, they are going to be miserable.

Scented candles and air fresheners emit VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, which are chemicals that form a gas or vapor at room temperature, Fineman said. The VOCs present in air fresheners often include formaldehyde, petroleum distillates, limonene, alcohol and esters.

High concentrations of VOCs can trigger eye and respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, and even memory impairment. A 2008 study in Environmental Impact Assessment Review by a University of Washington researcher found that many laundry detergents and room deodorizers emitted potentially dangerous VOCs. One plug-in air freshener released more than 20 different VOCs, of which seven were classified as toxic or hazardous under federal laws.

 

[Kitty 34]

I'm glad to see you have an awareness that some are allergic or bothered to these fragrances. I would be one of them!!

Please, please, please, do not use a B@BW wallflower in your classroom. I tried them in my house and my eyelids broke out in a rash. There was only one fragrance that didn't bother me and, of course, they discontinued it.

Yankee fragrances are no better, although I tolerate the White Barn candles just fine for some reason.

I really, really want to caution you against using a fragrance in a closed room. If you have just *one* person with a sensitivity or asthma, they are going to be miserable.

I so have to agree with this!!

 

[richmond282]

I don't recommend this at all. First of all, you have no way of knowing who is allergic to what. I had a student last year that was deathly allergic to cinnamon. I, myself, can't tolerate lemon scents. Secondly, I have worked in many school systems and none of them have allowed us to heat or burn anything in our classrooms.

 

[Disney Doll]

I would agree that if you use any frangrance in your classroom and you have one kid with an allergy or asthma problem, it's going to be a HUGE issue for you.

If I did anything I might wipe down the desks with a weak bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water) after all the kids left which would have some germ killing effect and might leave a very light "clean" smell. But doing it after the kids leave so it has all night to dissipate would greatly decrease your chances of someone reacting.

 

[Barzeski]

I occasionally will use pure essential oils diluted in distilled water as a room spray.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Don't do it. I would be the first person complaining.

My dd gets migraines from "scents".

 

[willowsnn3]

I have to agree with the others. Don't do it!

 

[ChitownFamily]

I occasionally will use pure essential oils diluted in distilled water as a room spray.

This would be the only acceptable option to me as a parent.not only do I get raging headaches from the b&bw plug ins, but we try to avoid chemicals like the vocs

 

[Barzeski]

This would be the only acceptable option to me as a parent.not only do I get raging headaches from the b&bw plug ins, but we try to avoid chemicals like the vocs

Me too! I'm a huge ewg fan. My family tries to avoid chemical cleaners and body products. The plug ins and other air fresheners are filled with dangerous ingredients. I feel violated when I enter an area treated with air fresheners or candles.

 

[scrapquitler]

In addition to the concerns other posters have mentioned regarding sensitivities to the scents and possible allergies, you might find that the local fire marshal would not allow it. There might be regulations that you don't realize about devices that create heat.

I think keeping the room clean, maybe keeping some green plants in the room and the use of essential oils (at the end of the day) would be the best strategy. And I say this not as someone who is against scents...I have yankee candles and tart warmers going almost all the time around here, but it's completely different in a public place vs. home.

 

[itutorfortravel]

Okay, thanks for your replies. I didn't think about these issues. I'd like a way to keep the room from not smelling stale, and I have heard of other teachers doing it so I didn't think it would be a problem. Maybe if I check with the parents first it's something I can consider. Otherwise I'll steer clear of it.

 

[itutorfortravel]

How about a potpourri or reed diffuser? Same issues?

 

[tcufrog]

Any sort of scent giving item can cause problems for me. I use them at home but I know which ones don't make me sick. Of course the ones that don't bother me could bother someone else. What about discretely placing one of those fridge baking soda boxes somewhere to help absorb the stale smell.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

I occasionally will use pure essential oils diluted in distilled water as a room spray.

Just a note: these can trigger allergies just a well as other fragrances. Both DD and I are allergic to lavender oil and all other flower based essential oils. We break out in hives anywhere it touches us and have respiratory symptoms and headaches when they are aerosolized. Just because something is natural, that doesn't mean it is necessarily safe for everyone.

 

[MOpGrad2013]

Most of the school and child care centers I have gone in to (my children, emergency pick up) have signs about no scents or perfumes of any kind. One had anti-berry signs up. Another vanilla. This was for scented lotions, hand sanitizer...Everything.

DS had asthma and most things were ok for him, but he was around kids who had problems. He had a reaction to the scented Lysol Sanitizer Wipes. DD16 loves scents, but with her eczema, they are a no-no in many companies. She's not allowed to use them at school.

As PP mentioned, an electronic heater of any kind is probably not allowed. If they are being allowed by the faculty, check into it county regulation. Just because they are doing it doesn't make it right; you know? Our fire inspector explained it this way, "What happens if you are across the room when the fire alarm goes off? You can not have a child unplug or turn it off."

To keep the staleness off of the room, a smaller oscillating fan will work. Again, check with the allowed additional electronics.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Sorry, my only suggestion for you is FRESH AIR....

Please do not be so inconsiderate and rude as to ignore any possible sensitivities, allergies, or just those who might HATE the fragrance that you might like.

Seriously....

I believe that, just like smoking, these things should all be totally and completely banned in our children's classrooms.
We are talking small enclosed areas here.

And, another note....
Many kids, especially some who are on the ASD spectrum, have sensory integration disorder. And, yes, this can include the sense of smell and fragrances...

JUST DON'T TO IT

 

[minnie mum]

OP, I understand that the room might smell stale once in a while, but do they not clean the rooms at night?

And I don't know where you live, but does your classroom have windows? Do they open?

 

[disykat]

I've been thinking of getting a fan for my desk that I saw at Target called a "chill out mini tower fan."

I too have terrible allergies. I've worked in buildings where teachers used fragrances and even walking past their room was difficult.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

OP, I understand that the room might smell stale once in a while, but do they not clean the rooms at night?

And I don't know where you live, but does your classroom have windows? Do they open?

The school I used to work, cleaning the rooms meant taking out trash and vacuuming. Anything beyond that was the teachers problem. If your room is musty a dehumidifier might help, or some well placed damp rid, neither choice is as inexpensive as the plug in fresheners though. Maybe ask at the beginning of the year about allergies.