Is The Radiator Air Freshener Hack A Good Idea? Here's What To Know Before You Try

Are you looking for easy ways to make your home smell good? You should. A musty smell is not just embarrassing when visitors are around; it makes the whole space uncomfortable, even for yourself. The trick, according to those raving about it, is to put a few drops of fabric softener into the radiator fins; as the radiator starts to warm the air around, the ensuing heat wafts the fragrance through the room, making the whole space smell fresh and crisp. You can also soak a sponge in your fabric softener, mix it slightly with water, and place the sponge under the convector of your radiator. When you turn on the radiator later, the heat will help spread the scent throughout the house. But is the radiator-air freshener hack a good idea?

While this hack is a quick way to freshen up a room, it has its drawbacks. Using a radiator to circulate the scent of a fabric softener can carry several risks, including mold infestation and fire. Here's how.

Soaking a sponge in fabric softener and putting it in your radiator can expose your house to mold. When you place any wet material on a radiator and turn it on, the ensuing heat will cause water to evaporate from the sponge (or any other soaked fabric you're using), turning it into moisture. Depending on how frequently you're doing this and how sogged the sponge, moisture build-up will soon lead to condensation, especially when the warm air settles on a cooler surface. Because of this, damp patches may appear on your walls, soon attracting mold. Before you know it, you may be dealing with respiratory health issues down the line, including asthma. Also, the moisture and dampness can eventually cause the paint to peel off or flake. Of course, you can repair the damaged surfaces, but at a cost you'd rather avoid. Plus, getting rid of mold in your home is not a walk in the park.

It doesn't end there. Some fabric softeners contain emulsifiers and alcohol derivatives, which, according to experts, are flammable and should be kept away from heat. Moreover, fabric softeners are known to stain fabrics, especially if directly applied. It's not beyond them, therefore, to stain your radiator. Finally, the smell may not last, especially if the fabric softener is applied as a drop or a light wipe.