Air Wick is one of the brands I know I can trust when it comes to keeping my home fresh and clean smelling. A great deal of reputation has been built for Air Wick, the American home fragrance company founded by Guy Paschal in 1943.
With everything from air freshener sprays to plugins and even scented candles, there’s not a lot this brand doesn’t cover. I was super excited to try the Air Wick plugin system, which is hailed as being one of the best.
But what struck me was the huge variety of scents. Finding the right one for my home became quite the challenge. And I don’t want you to have to spend unnecessary hours finding an Air Wick scent that matches your home. That’s why I put together this quick guide on my favorite Air Wick scents.
My Top 5 Air Wick Scents
As I write this guide, there are currently 13 Air Wick plugin scents available from the official Air Wick website. It was hard to choose my favorite fragrances because they all added their own personality to my space. Yet here they are!
Lush Honeysuckle and Raspberry – Best New Scent
As spring approaches, this bright, fresh scent of Lush Honeysuckle and Raspberry is the perfect way to get your home ready for the new season. What I really loved about this plugin refill was how calming it was.
Lush Honeysuckle and Raspberry isn’t an overpowering scent and it’s not one I’d recommend if you’re trying to mask odors. If you’re looking for something that delicately lingers and leaves a gentle fragrance then I think it’s perfect.
I tried this one in a bathroom where it left an inoffensive scent but I think it would also work really well in a bedroom. That said, I wouldn’t choose Lush Honeysuckle and Raspberry to use in a large room as the throw isn’t quite as good as something like another favorite, Fresh Linen.
Fresh Linen – Most Popular Scent
Out of all of the Air Wick scents, Fresh Linen gets the most praise. It’s a take on a popular scent type that’s done by any and all home fragrance brands, but Air Wick’s version of Fresh Linen is one of the cleanest smelling I’ve personally tried.
It’s a blend of white flowers and fresh air so it makes it perfect as a spring or summer home scent. Plus, since Air Wick uses natural essential oils, you can expect a whopping fragrance experience so, if like me, you enjoy something more intense, Fresh Linen might be right for you.
That said, it’s not the strongest Air Wick scent nor is it the weakest which is why I love it for guest areas such as a bedroom or bathroom. It gives the room a really beautiful aroma without smacking your nose as soon as you walk in.
Brown Sugar and Vanilla – Strongest Scent
If you are like me and enjoy a warm, sweet scent then Brown Sugar and Vanilla should be at the top of your list. Unlike Vanilla and Pink Papaya, which I’ll talk about next, this one is quite a lot stronger.
Also, I found that Brown Sugar and Vanilla was the better of the two vanilla Airwick scents to use as a festive fragrance. While I enjoyed the comforting and inviting aroma I noticed that it didn’t last for very long.
It’s a shame in all honesty since Brown Sugar and Vanilla is incredibly strong. But compared to something like Woodland Mystique, it just doesn’t last.
That said, it has a wonderful scent while it lasts and will easily fill a room. I felt that this scent worked very well in both the bedroom and living area as it gave a very comforting feel to it. When welcoming guests, there’s something inoffensive about this sweet, warm scent.
Vanilla and Pink Papaya – Best Smelling Scent
Vanilla and Pink Papaya is easily one of my favorite Air Wick scents because of how fresh and sweet it is. I would say that this one is ideal for a living space as it feels incredibly welcoming but isn’t over the top in terms of strength.
While this may be a plus for some people, the lack of intensity could be a downside for others. It really depends on how strong you want the scent and if you’re trying to cover anything up. If you are then I wouldn’t recommend this one but perhaps try one of the Vibrant Air Wick oils that are much more potent.
However, I found that Vanilla and Pink Papaya, while not overly strong, did have excellent throw. Using it in a large room was no issue and even when I was on the other side of the space, I could still smell it delicately lingering in the air.
What the name of this scent doesn’t tell you is that there is a clear citrus undertone to the aroma. This makes it feel more summery to me.
Woodland Mystique – Longest Lasting Scent
Spicy. Ambery, and woody. Woodland Mystique is a beautifully inviting scent that works so well in winter. As an air freshener for a hallway, I think Woodland Mystique works better than any other from the Air Wick range. It’s strong enough to get noticed and will attract compliments from guests.
Some people found Woodland Mystique too pronounced even being on a lower setting. If pungent smells tend to bother you, go with a different option.
It’s great that this scent lasted well on the moderate setting. Air Wick claims you’ll get up to 60 days from each refill but in reality it’s usually not this long, especially if you use a high setting. However, this scent lasted for a good few weeks and even lingered in the air when the device wasn’t switched on.
I think Woodland Mystique is more of a masculine aroma so would work great in a bachelor pad. It’s warm, rich and super welcoming for a home that feels really comforting.
Do Air Wick Plugins Use A Lot Of Electricity
You don’t have to worry about your electricity bill when using plugins like Air Wick. Most plugins run at 4 watts which means they don’t consume a lot of energy.
The Air Wick website states that the device costs around 2 cents on electricity per day.
Ultimately, it all comes down to how long you run your Air Wick plugin each day. If it is left on permanently, this could use as many as 35 units of electricity annually.
How Safe Are Air Wick Plugins For Pets
People commonly want to use an air freshener to cover up pet smells. Whether these products are safe for use around pets is a major concern. Pet owners want to ensure that they aren’t going to harm their cat or dog. The good news is that Air Wick’s products are safe for use around pets when used properly.
This means that no harm should come to your beloved pet as long as you follow the instructions. With that in mind, it is worth noting that Air Wick plugins are not suitable for use around birds.
There has been a lot of information online saying that plugins like Air Wick are not safe for dogs. The key is to make sure you use them in a well-ventilated area and keep your eyes open for signs that your dog is sensitive to the product. If you notice anything like sneezing, coughing, breathing difficulties, or lethargy then this could signal that your pet is sensitive and you should cease the use of the air freshener.
Air Wick Essential Mist Diffuser
While I have focused on the plugin scents produced by Air Wick, I cannot ignore the popularity of the Air Wick Essential Spray Mist. This is an automatic air freshener that has a variety of settings. These diffusers use natural essential oils converted into a scented mist to keep your home fresh.
Just like the Air Wick plugins, the Air Wick Essential Mist can be adjusted to suit the needs of your home. Three interval settings will spray every 9, 18, or 36 minutes. What’s great about these air fresheners is that they run on an 8-hour cycle, automatically turning off at the end.
How long each refill lasts largely depends on the level of intensity you set the device at. For example, on a low setting, the refill may last up to 45 days but on high, you might need to replace it after just 16 days.
What Are The Alternatives To Air Wick
Air Wick is just one of the many choices of plugin air fresheners on the market. However, while I am enamored by many of the Air Wick scents and have been pleased with the overall experience, not everyone may enjoy Air Wick scents.
With that in mind, I wanted to touch briefly on some of the most popular alternatives.
Air Wick Vs. Febreze Plugin
Febreze is known as an odor eliminator which is not something that Air Wick can lay claim to. Don’t get me wrong, some of the stronger Air Wick scents do a decent job at masking smells but they certainly don’t get rid of them.
If you live in a house where there are lots of potent odors such as cigarette smoke, cooking smells, pets, or a stinky teen then I’d suggest and recommend Febreze plugins. The range of scents is just as good as Air Wick but when testing these products, I found the fragrance didn’t wane as it does with Air Wick.
I know how keen many people are to use natural products in their homes and Febreze doesn’t fit with this. On the other hand, Air Wick plugins use essential oils to create those beautiful aromas so the scent will smell more natural and not as synthetic, which is important to homeowners.
Air Wick Vs. Glade
The other big player in the plugin game is Glade. While I know that a lot of people will turn to Air Wick, Glade is on par in terms of quality, scent choice, and lasting power. When I say this, I’ll admit that Air Wick plugins tend to last ever so slightly longer but I’m talking days so there’s not that much of a difference.
When compared to Febreze, Glade does not provide the same odor-eliminating attributes. If this isn’t important to you then you may find yourself in a toss up between Glade and Air Wick.
In other words, the cost could become the deciding factor and Glade is markedly more expensive. I’m usually happy to pay a little more for quality and since I get a pretty ceramic warmer with great adjustment options, I feel as though the price is an irrelevant point.
I guess when it comes down to it, your decision will come down to which scent you like the most. Generally, I find Glade scents less intense, but there isn’t a huge difference.
