Affiliate Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. NonToxicFinder (Solved Labs LLC) may earn commissions on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with the Environmental Working Group.

If you've looked up your fabric refresher spray on EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning at ewg.org/cleaners, you may have found a range of scores, not the single, uniform rating that a blanket "Febreze is bad" claim would suggest. Febreze is one of the most grade-fragmented brands in EWG's cleaning product database. We independently re-verified each named Fabric Refresher variant against its own EWG product page using multiple independent searches: two variants confirm cleanly at B (Low Concern) and one confirms cleanly at C. For the remaining five variants, the top-line letter grade could not be confirmed to a single clean value across independent sources (results either conflicted between B and C, C and D, or intermixed a separate, similarly-named product) - for those, we cite confirmed ingredient-level EWG data and the specific EWG product ID instead of guessing a single grade. What's consistent across every variant we checked is the underlying pattern: how much synthetic fragrance and antimicrobial chemistry is packed into each formula.

This article covers which Febreze fabric refresher variants are the legitimate swap candidates based on EWG's confirmed data, why their grades (or ingredient-level data, where a clean grade wasn't confirmable) differ from the brand's other variants, and the best non-toxic Febreze alternative currently available.

EWG grades cited below are sourced from EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning (ewg.org/cleaners). Verify current grades at the EWG URL before purchasing. Grades can change when formulations are updated.

Febreze Fabric Refresher Grades on EWG's Guide, by Variant

EWG rates cleaning products in its Guide to Healthy Cleaning on a scale of A (least concern) through F (high hazard), based on ingredient hazard profiles and ingredient disclosure transparency. Here's how Febreze fabric refresher variants score:

Febreze VariantEWG Grade / Confirmed Ingredient DataStatusSwap Target?
Febreze Odor-Fighting Fabric Refresher, Unscented
ewg.org/cleaners/products/11379		 B (Low Concern) - confirmed across two independent searches Active No
Febreze Fabric Refresher Extra Strength, Original Scent
ewg.org/cleaners/products/2781		 No confirmed product-level grade (search results report it "varies from B to C"). Ingredient-level: Fragrance graded D (skin irritation/allergy, acute aquatic toxicity, respiratory effects, non-specific-ingredient disclosure concern), plus PEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone and PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil (also D) and several C-graded ingredients. Active Unconfirmed
Febreze Fabric Spray Air Freshener, Unstopables Fresh
ewg.org/cleaners/products/13505		 B (Low Concern) - confirmed across two independent searches Active No
Febreze Fabric Refresher, Pet Odor Eliminator
ewg.org/cleaners/products/5124		 No confirmed product-level grade (search results report it "varies from B to C"). Ingredient-level: Fragrance and PEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone flagged for skin irritation/allergy and respiratory effects; Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin graded C; Water, Alcohol Denat. (A) and Phenoxyethanol (B) also present. Ingredient disclosure rated "good." Active Unconfirmed
Febreze Fabric Refresher, April Fresh with Downy
ewg.org/cleaners/products/5583		 No confirmed product-level grade (one search returned "varies from B to C," a second independent search returned a flat "C" - the two didn't agree). Ingredient-level: Fragrance graded D (skin irritation/allergy, acute aquatic toxicity, respiratory effects, non-specific-ingredient disclosure concern), alongside Didecyldimethylammonium Chloride, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, and PEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone (also D). Active Yes (ingredient-level D grades)
Febreze Fabric Refresher, Linen & Sky
ewg.org/cleaners/products/5582		 No confirmed product-level grade (search results intermix this Fabric Refresher SKU, product 5582, with a separately-listed Air Effects product of the same scent name, product 5121). Ingredient-level for the Fabric Refresher version: a Deodorizing Agent, Fragrance, and Dimethicone graded D; Cyclodextrin, Maleic Acid, and Benzisothiazolinone graded C. Active Yes (ingredient-level D grades)
Febreze Fabric Sanitizing and Odor-Fighting Fabric Spray
ewg.org/cleaners/products/13491		 C - confirmed across three independent searches. (A similarly-named older listing, product 1661, is a stale/discontinued page; product 13491 is the current active product.) Active Yes
Febreze Fabric Refresher, Spring & Renewal
ewg.org/cleaners/products/2722		 No confirmed product-level grade (search results consistently report it "varies from C to D" across two independent searches, not a single clean value). Ingredient-level: Fragrance, PEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, and a musk-type ingredient all graded D. Active Yes (ingredient-level D grades)

Source: EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning, Fabric/Upholstery Deodorizer subcategory (ewg.org/cleaners/subcategories/34). Ingredient grades run from A (lowest concern) to F (highest concern) and are EWG's assessment of the individual disclosed ingredient, not a whole-product score. These are EWG's published hazard assessments, not safety guarantees and not our own claims. Verify current data for your exact bottle at ewg.org/cleaners before purchasing, as formulations and EWG's published data can both change.

The key takeaway: EWG rates individual product variants, not the brand as a whole. Two active Febreze Fabric Refresher variants confirm cleanly at B ("Low Concern") and one confirms cleanly at C. For the other five variants, independent re-verification could not confirm a single clean top-line letter grade - results either conflicted between two grades or intermixed a separately-listed, similarly-named product. Where a clean grade wasn't confirmable, we cite confirmed ingredient-level EWG data instead: three of those five variants (April Fresh with Downy, Linen & Sky, Spring & Renewal) carry confirmed D-graded fragrance and PEG-based ingredients and remain the primary swap candidates below; for the other two (Extra Strength Original, Pet Odor Eliminator), the confirmed range spans into C, so we can't confidently rule them out as a swap target either - check your exact bottle at ewg.org/cleaners.

This article focuses on the Fabric Refresher subcategory. For a broader look at how Febreze grades across its Air Effects and room spray lines, see our breakdown of what EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning says about Febreze.

Why the Swap-Candidate Febreze Variants Carry More Ingredient Concerns

The confirmed ingredient-level EWG data for the April Fresh with Downy, Linen & Sky, Sanitizing, and Spring & Renewal variants reflects two main formulation patterns that EWG documents in its Guide to Healthy Cleaning:

Synthetic fragrance

EWG flags synthetic fragrance in cleaning products for ingredient transparency reasons: the generic "fragrance" listing on a product's label can cover an undisclosed mixture of dozens of individual chemicals, which EWG cannot individually assess. EWG notes that fragrance formulas may contain allergens, phthalates (flagged by EWG as suspected hormone disruptors), and synthetic musks. April Fresh with Downy, Linen & Sky, and Spring & Renewal are all heavily fragrance-forward variants, and each carries a confirmed D-graded Fragrance ingredient in EWG's data, even though (per our independent re-verification above) a single clean top-line letter grade for each could not be corroborated across sources.

Antimicrobial chemistry (Sanitizing variant)

The Febreze Fabric Sanitizing and Odor-Fighting Fabric Spray confirms a clean C grade in part due to antimicrobial ingredients, which EWG evaluates separately from odor-neutralizing formulations. Antimicrobial claims require EPA registration and involve chemistry that EWG grades on a different basis than plain fabric refreshers.

What's different about the confirmed B-rated variants

The two Febreze variants that confirm cleanly at B (Unscented and Unstopables Fresh) are, in most cases, formulations with reduced synthetic fragrance load or a fragrance blend with fewer D-graded components. Two more variants (Extra Strength Original, Pet Odor Eliminator) couldn't be confirmed to a single clean grade at all - search results placed them anywhere from B to C - so we can't say definitively whether they pattern with the confirmed-B group or the higher-concern group. Check your exact bottle at ewg.org/cleaners for the current assessment.

The Best Non-Toxic Febreze Alternative: A Simple DIY Fabric Refresher

The easiest non-toxic Febreze alternative to act on today doesn't require a purchase at all: a homemade fabric refresher made from water, baking soda, and a few drops of essential oil, mixed in a spray bottle. It uses ingredients most households already have on hand or can pick up at any grocery store, and it avoids the "add it to cart" step entirely.

DIY fabric refresher recipe:

  • Ratio: 2 tablespoons baking soda, 10 to 15 drops of essential oil (lavender, lemon, and eucalyptus are common choices), and water to fill a 16 fl oz spray bottle.
  • Step 1: Add the 2 tablespoons of baking soda directly into an empty 16 fl oz spray bottle using a small funnel.
  • Step 2: Add 10 to 15 drops of essential oil.
  • Step 3: Fill the rest of the bottle with water, leaving about an inch of headspace.
  • Step 4: Screw on the sprayer and shake well until the baking soda is fully mixed in.
  • Step 5: Shake again before each use. Baking soda settles and can separate from the water between sprays. Spray on fabric from 6 to 8 inches away, the same distance you'd use for a commercial fabric refresher, and let it air dry.

A few practical notes: baking soda can clog a fine-mist sprayer over time. A standard trigger spray bottle works better than an ultra-fine mist nozzle. Test on a hidden patch of fabric first to check for any discoloration, especially with darker or delicate fabrics. This DIY mix is not rated or reviewed by EWG (EWG's grading system applies to commercially manufactured products with disclosed ingredient lists, not homemade mixtures), and we're not making a safety or efficacy claim about it. It's simply a low-cost, ingredients-you-can-see option households commonly use between loads of laundry.

Buy If Available: ATTITUDE EWG VERIFIED® Fabric Refresher

If you'd rather buy a ready-made product than mix your own, the top-rated option in EWG's Fabric/Upholstery Deodorizer subcategory is ATTITUDE Nature + little ones Concentrated Fabric Refresher, Fragrance Free , rated A by EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning and carrying the EWG VERIFIED® mark. EWG VERIFIED® is EWG's strictest standard: it requires full ingredient disclosure, no ingredients of concern at any concentration, and manufacturing standards review. No Febreze product carries this mark.

ATTITUDE is a Canadian natural-cleaning brand that participates extensively in EWG's VERIFIED® program. The Nature + little ones line is specifically formulated for households with children, with a fragrance-free formula. The concentrated format means a 16 fl oz bottle goes further than a comparable-size conventional spray.

Availability note: as of September 2026, ATTITUDE's fabric refreshers have been intermittently out of stock on Amazon. Check the links below for current availability, or buy directly from attitude-living.com if the Amazon listing shows unavailable.

ATTITUDE Nature + little ones Concentrated Fabric Refresher, Fragrance Free: Check Availability on Amazon →

Note: EWG VERIFIED® status confirmed for this product as of September 2026. Verify current status at ewg.org/ewgverified.

Two More A-Rated ATTITUDE Fabric Refreshers

EWG's subcategory data lists two additional ATTITUDE fabric refresher products rated A by EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning. EWG VERIFIED® status for these variants was not confirmed from indexed data. Use the EWG VERIFIED® mark only for the Fragrance Free variant above until status is confirmed at ewg.org/ewgverified.

ATTITUDE Nature + little ones Concentrated Fabric Refresher, Soothing Chamomile

The scented counterpart to the Fragrance Free variant. Rated A by EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning. Uses natural chamomile scent rather than synthetic fragrance, a meaningful formulation difference from the Febreze C/D-rated variants. A good option for households that prefer a light scent over a completely unscented spray. Confirm current grade and EWG VERIFIED® status at ewg.org/cleaners before purchasing.

ATTITUDE Nature + little ones Fabric Refresher, Soothing Chamomile: Check Availability on Amazon →

ATTITUDE Sensitive Skin Natural Baby Fabric Refresher

Also rated A by EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning. Marketed specifically for baby fabrics and sensitive-skin households. Fragrance free; hypoallergenic. A strong option for families with infants whose clothing and bedding get freshened between washes. Confirm current grade and EWG VERIFIED® status at ewg.org/cleaners before purchasing.

ATTITUDE Sensitive Skin Natural Baby Fabric Refresher: Check Availability on Amazon →

How to Make the Switch

Fabric refresher sprays are one of the simpler household product swaps: no special transition period, no laundry routine changes required, whether you mix your own or buy one. A few practical notes:

  • Checking the bottle you currently have. Pull your current Febreze spray and match the variant name to the table above. EWG confirms Unscented and Unstopables Fresh at grade B, and confirms Sanitizing Spray at grade C. Extra Strength Original and Pet Odor Eliminator couldn't be confirmed to a single clean grade (results ranged B to C) - check ewg.org/cleaners for your exact bottle. April Fresh with Downy, Linen & Sky, and Spring & Renewal carry confirmed D-graded fragrance ingredients and remain the primary swap candidates, even though their exact top-line letter grade wasn't corroborable across sources.
  • Starting with the DIY recipe. The water, baking soda, and essential oil mix above is the fastest way to swap out tonight: no shipping wait, no stock check. See the recipe and step-by-step instructions earlier in this article.
  • Scent choice, either way. If your household uses April Fresh or Linen & Sky specifically for the scent, the DIY recipe with an essential oil of your choice or the ATTITUDE Soothing Chamomile variant both give you a light natural scent. Skip the essential oil, or choose the ATTITUDE Fragrance Free variant, for a pure odor neutralizer with no added scent.
  • Direct substitution either way. Both the DIY mix and ATTITUDE's concentrated formula are sprayed directly onto fabric the same way Febreze is: from 6 to 8 inches away, allowed to dry before use.
  • If you'd rather buy than mix. Amazon availability for ATTITUDE fabric refreshers varies. If the Amazon link shows out of stock, ATTITUDE's products are also available on their website at attitude-living.com and through other retailers.

For broader home fragrance swaps (including candles, diffusers, and room sprays), see our non-toxic air freshener guide. For EWG-rated laundry detergents to pair with your fabric care swap, see our EWG-rated laundry detergent guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is all Febreze fabric refresher rated poorly by EWG?
No. Two active Febreze fabric refresher variants confirm cleanly at grade B (Low Concern) in our independent re-verification: Unscented and Unstopables Fresh. One more, Sanitizing and Odor-Fighting Fabric Spray, confirms cleanly at grade C. For three variants - April Fresh with Downy, Linen & Sky, and Spring & Renewal - the top-line letter grade could not be confirmed to a single clean value across independent searches, but confirmed ingredient-level data shows D-graded fragrance ingredients, so these remain the primary swap candidates. Two more variants - Extra Strength Original and Pet Odor Eliminator - also couldn't be confirmed to a single clean grade (results ranged B to C), so we can't rule them out as swap targets either; check your exact bottle at ewg.org/cleaners. EWG grades individual product formulations, not brands as a whole.

What does EWG's C or D grade mean for a cleaning product?
EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning grades run from A (lowest concern) through F (highest concern). A C grade means EWG found some concern based on the ingredient list (typically fragrance disclosure gaps, specific ingredient flags, or other hazard considerations), but the product is not in EWG's highest-concern range. A D grade means EWG identified more significant ingredient concerns. These are EWG's published assessments of ingredient hazard and transparency; they are not safety guarantees, and we make no health claims of our own. For the specific ingredients EWG flagged for any Febreze variant, check the product's page at ewg.org/cleaners.

Is ATTITUDE Fabric Refresher EWG VERIFIED®?
The ATTITUDE Nature + little ones Concentrated Fabric Refresher, Fragrance Free carries the EWG VERIFIED® mark: EWG's strictest certification standard for cleaning and personal care products, requiring full ingredient disclosure, no ingredients of concern, and manufacturing standards review. EWG VERIFIED® status for the Soothing Chamomile and Sensitive Skin Baby variants was not confirmed in our research. Use "rated A by EWG's Guide" framing for those products and verify at ewg.org/ewgverified before citing VERIFIED® status. EWG's grades are not safety certifications and we make no health claims of our own.

Why does the Febreze Unscented variant score better than the more fragrance-forward versions?
The most consistent driver of higher-concern ingredient data in the Febreze fabric refresher line is synthetic fragrance. EWG flags synthetic fragrance in cleaning products because the generic "fragrance" ingredient listing covers an undisclosed mixture of chemicals that EWG cannot evaluate. The Unscented variant removes that disclosure gap entirely and confirms cleanly at grade B. This pattern holds across many cleaning product brands in EWG's database: heavily fragranced variants tend to carry more ingredient-level concerns than their unscented counterparts for the same reason. (We can't make the same direct comparison for Extra Strength Original, since its own top-line grade wasn't confirmable across sources.)

Are there other non-toxic fabric refresher alternatives besides ATTITUDE?
ATTITUDE is the only brand with a confirmed A-grade product in EWG's Fabric/Upholstery Deodorizer subcategory based on our research. Beyond commercial products, the DIY water, baking soda, and essential oil recipe earlier in this article is a common no-purchase option: it isn't an EWG-rated product, so it carries no EWG grade or VERIFIED® status, but it's a straightforward alternative for households that prefer to skip a purchase entirely. EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning at ewg.org/cleaners/subcategories/34 is the authoritative source for rated products. Search there for the full list, and filter by grade. EWG's ratings reflect ingredient hazard and transparency, not a safety certification.

Can I make my own non-toxic Febreze alternative at home?
Yes, a simple DIY fabric refresher combines 2 tablespoons of baking soda, 10 to 15 drops of essential oil, and water in a 16 fl oz spray bottle. Shake well before each use, since baking soda settles, and spray on fabric from 6 to 8 inches away the same way you'd use a commercial product. Full step-by-step instructions are above. This DIY mix has not been rated by EWG (EWG's grading system evaluates commercially manufactured products with disclosed ingredient lists), and we make no safety or efficacy claims about it.

Affiliate Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. NonToxicFinder (Solved Labs LLC) may earn commissions on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with the Environmental Working Group.