Recently, air fresheners (spray and solid) have been in the news because of findings that they contain chemicals that have proven harmful (such as causing liver and kidney cancer in laboratory animals), and which have been shown to cause breathing difficulties in humans, especially those with compromised lung function.  Both spray type and plug-in type air fresheners have been implicated, as have regular candles and scented candles (try 100% beeswax candles instead).  DooDoo Voodoo's germ- and odor-killing action, along with its largely natural and biodegradable ingredients, can help you attain the fresh-smelling home you desire...without the negatives associated with the air fresheners that have been in the news lately.

But you're probably not going to want to treat your home with DooDoo Voodoo every day to keep it smelling fresh and inviting.  (Although we'd sure appreciate it if you did.)  To help you maintain everyday freshness in your air, we've put together this page to briefly cover a few other devices and methods we've personally found to be of great additional value.  These are:

• • Air purifiers and/or ionizers
  • UV air treatment units
  • Air exchangers
  • Air-quality test kits
  • Vacuums

UPDATE:  We now primarily use hydroxyl radical generators, both freestanding and mounted in our HVAC systems, not the types of units discussed below.  For freestanding units, we prefer the Sylvan HX-3000 (available here on Amazon) or the Titan 1000 (Google search result here).  Mounted in all our HVAC systems are the REME HALO; we prefer the original unit, not the newer LED unit (learn more here).  We receive no compensation from any of the companies/links.

Air Purifiers
Air purifiers come in a variety of types and with varying degrees of filtration.  We've tried many types and brands at varying prices, and have recently been very impressed with the 5-step-filtration units from Neoair.  They do a great job with mold, dust, bacteria, odors, unhealthy gases (formaldehyde, etc.) and more, so we purchased a dozen of them for our animal facility and our home.  The units are readily available online from independent dealers or on eBay.  (Click here to go to the results of an eBay search for the Neoair 68108 units we use.)  There are two popular models, so let me explain the differences.

The unit that sells for $199 with free shipping has 5 stages of filtration, including carbon filtration for odor control.  The unit that sells for $299 has only 4 stages of filtration and does NOT have the carbon filtration for odor control, but is touted as having a stronger HEPA filter than the $199 unit.  The $299 unit is also touted as being able to cover more square feet than the less expensive unit.  Because we care mostly about odor control, we went with the $199 units and have generally been happy with them, though we did have one unit's motor go out.  Replacement filter sets (recommended to be changed once a year, but we do it more often) are $45 each with free shipping.

The 5-stage units used to only be available through natural-health pioneer Dr. Julian Whitaker, which is a great endorsement of their effectiveness, since he's so well respected in the medical field.  Now, however, you can purchase the 5-stage units from a variety of sources online.  You can view a multi-page PDF about the Dr. Whitaker 5-stage units by clicking here.  (The PDF will be helpful to you even if you don't buy the Dr. Whitaker units.)  The Neoair units were given a very high rating by this site.

Here's a graphic that shows the 5 steps of filtration used by the Neoair units we have so many of.  By clicking here you can visit the page where they explain the 5 stages via text, pictures and a short video:

Having said that, and while I can't vouch for these machines myself, I found a company which claims its Multi-Tech S3500 units outperform other top brands (including the machine ranked #1 by Consumer Reports), but at a lower price.  I've read about these units and they seem to offer everything the Neoair units do, but at a significant savings.  There are highly positive user comments on the site.  Visit http://www.surroundair.com/ionic-air-purifier.htm to learn more.  If you buy one, fire me an e-mail to let me know how they work.

Ionizers
Ionizers, too, come in a variety of styles and technology.  Some units generate ozone, which can be an effective air cleansing methodology, but which can irritate some people, causing breathing problems, headaches, nausea, lung damage (some say) and more.  Other units only generate ions, which attach themselves to particles in the air, thus making the particles fall to the floor.  (The Neoair unit mentioned above is certified not to generate ozone, and does feature ion generation as one of its 5 stages.)  We have had good success using ionizers from Ecoquest, which recently had financial difficulties and has become Vollara.  We have specifically had good luck with the Ecoquest Breeze units, of which we own half a dozen or so (shown).  Older models gave us repair issues, but we've had great luck with the Breezes.  Ecoquest/Vollara units are also available through distributors throughout the USA and beyond.  Some people, including this site, give the Ecoquest units poor marks, so do your homework.  (The site also contains seemingly objective reviews and user comments on all manner of air purifiers.  We find it to be a good resource during the decision-making process.)

Used correctly, ionizers can be an important tool in your battle to keep your air clean, fresh-smelling and healthy for people and pets, but they may not be right for all customers, as some people are sensitive to ozone, which can be detrimental to lung tissue in too-large quantities.  We've gotten away from using them, and now only use the Neoair 5-stage units.  We actually have a number of Breeze and other Ecoquest units that we'd like to sell, so please e-mail us if you're interested in them.  We even have some replacement parts and the original boxes for some of the units.

New Technology:  The AirRestore Unit
In 2014, we were introduced to a new type of air naturalization technology called AirRestore.  It was invented by the man responsible for other industry-changing air purification technologies of the past, but the science behind the AirRestore unit is way better.  The little gizmos are barely bigger than a couple smartphones put together, but we have found them to be highly effective in our home and in our rescue facility.  We were so impressed that we signed on to be dealers for them.  If you want to learn more, visit our Freshen Your Air page or our Naturalizer page.

UV Air Treatment Units
Used correctly, UV light is highly effective at killing mold, mildew, bacteria, viruses and more as they circulate through your air handling (HVAC) system.  We use a UV unit in our animal rescue facility and it really helps keep the air healthier and fresher.  We paid oodles for our unit through our HVAC service provider, but you can also purchase a unit and, if mechanically inclined, install it yourself in 15 minutes or less.  Given the low price, we were skeptical about its quality, but we've been very happy with this low-cost alternative, the BEUV2, we bought for our home.  It is manufactured by Amilair:  http://www.ezaircleaners.com/.  The replacement bulbs are only $25 each (or less on eBay).  UV technology is reported to be mandatory for use in government buildings, so consider implementing it in your facility, too.

Here's some helpful info, taken from the company's eBay listing, about the BEUV2's technology:

• •  The lamps are protected by 3 US patents, 1 Canadian patent and 1 European patent.
  •  Your HVAC blower blows microscopic mold spores throughout your home, but the BEUV2's lamps reduce mold and bacteria before they can recirculate back through your home.
  •  Our lamp uses true germicidal action; others don't.  Our bulbs have UV intensity of 36 and put out 253.7 nm of UVC light, which means they are 99% efficient on a single pass.

Air Exchangers
Air exchangers trade inside air for outside air, which—at least in most locales—is a good way to keep your inside air healthier and fresher.  We use an air exchanger in our rescue facility and have found it to be a useful addition to our air handling system.  These units aren't cheap, but can really do a good job if kept clean and given the benefit of good ducting in both directions.  Here's a link to the results of a Google search: