Fresh Without Fragrance: New Approaches to Neutralizing Airborne Odors

This project explores ways to create smell free odor removing products.
Jasleen Parmar
Grade 8

Presentation

No video provided

Problem

In my previous project, I identified a problem almost everyone has to deal with. Odorous air. In my school, we have to deal with inferior smells because we can’t spray any air fresheners in classrooms since we have to consider the staff and students who are allergic to fragrances. I then created a fragrance-free air freshener. It removed odor, but left behind residue. So, in this project, the problem is the residue.

Method

I made 5 different formulas.  After which I sprayed them all on five different pieces of plastic wrap and then , then I left them to sit for about an hour and checked them in the morning to see whether they left residue or not. 

 

In Formula 1 (BWRS) I added

  • 5ml of water-I added a little more because there was not enough of the water to dissolve the solute
  • 5ml of rubbing Alcohol
  • Quarter spoon of baking soda
  • Quartar spoon of salt

In Formula 2 (WRS) I added

  • 5ml of water
  • 5ml of rubbing alcohol
  • Quartar spoon of salt

Formula 3 (WR) I added

  • 5ml of water
  • 5ml of rubbing alcohol

In Formula 4 (WS) I added

  • 5ml of water
  • Quartar spoon of salt

In Formula 5 (BWS) I added

  • 5ml of water-I added a little more because there was not enough of the water to dissolve the solute
  • Quarter spoon of baking soda
  • Quartar spoon of salt

Analysis

Formula 3 (WR) left the least amount of residue, but none of them left no residue. The most amount of residue was left by formula 5 (BWS).

Conclusion

In conclusion my hypothesis was incorrect because I thought that formula #1 would leave the least residue even though it was formula #3. If I had more time to finish this project I would try to use softer water so that it would leave less residue. I would also try to test it on different materials to see if the amount of residue changes on any of the materials.

Citations

Acetaldehyde - Delaware Health and Social Services. (n.d.-a). https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/files/acetaldehydefaq.pdf 

 

Alcohol Denat. Lush. (n.d.). https://www.lush.com/uk/en/i/alcohol-denat 

 

Alcohol-based handrubs: Easy as 1, 2, 3. Alcohol-Based Handrubs: Easy as 1, 2, 3 - MN Dept. of Health. (n.d.). https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/handhygiene/clean/alcoholrubs.html#:~:text=Alcohol%2Dbased%20handrubs%20provide%20several,washing%20with%20soap%20and%20water 

 

Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph. D. (2019, September 13). Here’s how febreze removes odors. ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/how-febreze-works-facts-and-chemistry-606149#:~:text=The%20cyclodextrin%20molecule%20resembles%20a,you%20can’t%20smell%20it 

 

Busch, S. (2020, July 6). Sodium polyacrylate. Puracy. https://puracy.com/blogs/ingredients/sodium-polyacrylate 

 

Dimethicone. Uses, Interactions, Mechanism of Action | DrugBank Online. (n.d.). https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB11074 

 

Ingredients in febreze: Febreze. Learn About the Ingredients in Febreze. (n.d.). https://www.febreze.com/en-us/ingredients-safety/our-ingredients 

 

Isopropyl alcohol. MG Chemicals. (n.d.). https://mgchemicals.com/category/electronics-maintenance/isopropyl-alcohol/#:~:text=It%20is%20safe%20on%20most,excellent%20%E2%80%9Cgreen%20solvent%E2%80%9D%20scores 

 

Johnson, S. (n.d.). Ingredient detail : SC Johnson. SC Johnson - What’s Inside. https://www.whatsinsidescjohnson.com/us/en/ingredients/hydrogenated-castor-oil 

 

Joshschollmeyer. (2019, April 8). What’s in this?: Febreze. MEL Magazine. https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/whats-in-this-febreze 

 

MattyEngland. (2023, February 9). Rubbing alcohol: The incredible uses and benefits. Trade Chemicals. https://trade-chem.co.uk/2023/02/09/rubbing-alcohol-the-incredible-uses-and-benefits/#:~:text=Odor%2Dfree%3A%20Rubbing%20alcohol%20leaves,odors%20and%20is%20not%20corrosive.&text=As%20you%20can%20see%2C%20rubbing,also%20offers%20many%20other%20benefits 

 

Mckenzie, K. H. & R. (n.d.). The magic of baking soda as a stain remover. Tru Earth. https://www.tru.earth/Baking-Soda-as-a-Stain-Remover 

 

MediLexicon International. (n.d.). Rubbing alcohol uses: How to use it, safety, and what to avoid. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/rubbing-alcohol-uses#:~:text=Rubbing%20alcohol%20has%20several%20potential,and%20items%20within%20the%20home 

 

Nall, R. (2020, September 16). 26 uses for rubbing alcohol, plus what you shouldn’t use it for. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/rubbing-alcohol-uses#:~:text=Rubbing%20alcohol%20has%20many%20uses,use%20it%20near%20open%20flames 

 

Organization. (n.d.). Baking Soda and Vinegar Laundry hacks. Rinse. https://www.rinse.com/blog/care/baking-soda-and-vinegar-laundry/#:~:text=If%20your%20house%20gets%20hard,to%20form%20a%20white%20residue 

 

Salt and sodium. The Nutrition Source. (2023, June 13). https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/salt-and-sodium/#:~:text=It%20flavors%20food%20and%20is,balance%20of%20water%20and%20minerals 

 

SaltAssociation. (2022, October 3). 10 surprising uses for salt. The Salt Association. https://saltassociation.co.uk/10-surprising-uses-salt/ 

 

WebMD. (n.d.). What to know about rubbing alcohol. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/first-aid/ss/rubbing-alcohol-uses#:~:text=You%20can%20mix%20a%2050,stethoscopes%2C%20scissors%2C%20and%20thermometers 

 

What substances are truly odorless? - quora. (n.d.-b). https://www.quora.com/What-substances-are-truly-odorless 

 

Acknowledgement

I would like to thank my parents and the rest of my family for supporting me, my teachers for allowing me to take some class time to finish up my project and Mrs. Gallant for leading me through this and answering all the questions I had. 

Attachments

No Log Book Provided