Febreze fabric treatment products

5 reports to CPSC, the latest made Oct 24, 2024. A report isn’t a recall.

Watch it to hear when CPSC publishes new reports about it. CPSC’s own search

Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. CPSC’s own search is on saferproducts.gov.

At a glance

From SaferProducts.gov, released Oct 25, 2026.

5reports to CPSC
Oct 24, 2024the latest report was made
Mar 17, 2012the earliest
5with the company’s comments

Brand: Febreze
Maker: The Procter & Gamble CompanyMakers, importers or sellers, as the reports name them
Product: Fabric treatment productsCPSC’s product type: Fabric Treatment Products (code 952), in Home Maintenance and Structures: Household Chemicals, Paint, & Cleaning Products

Other ways the reports write the brand (1)

“Febreeze”

By month

1 report from November 2023 to October 2024; the most in October 2024, 1. 4 earlier reports, since March 2012, are in the table.

The numbers, as a table

Reports to CPSC by the month each was made, newest first
Month	Reports
October 2024	1
January 2020	1
August 2017	1
June 2016	1
March 2012	1

How badly anyone was hurt

Emergency room 2 CPSC: Injury, Emergency Department Treatment Received
Seen by a doctor or nurse 1 CPSC: Injury, Seen by Medical Professional
Hurt, no treatment 1 CPSC: Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received
No incident, no one hurt 1 CPSC: No Incident, No Injury

As each report says it, in short words; CPSC’s own words are under each.

The reports, as CPSC published them

Reports people made to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. CPSC publishes each one after sending it to the company named, and doesn’t guarantee they’re accurate. A report isn’t a recall.

Each report is the words of the person who made it, as CPSC published them. The company’s comments, where CPSC published any, are set apart as the company’s own.

CPSC, SaferProducts.gov public database export. Released Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily.

No incident, no one hurt
Made Oct 24, 2024, sent to the company Nov 14, 2024, published by CPSC Nov 29, 2024

The product, in the report: Febreze FABRIC Free - a spray. See: https://www.febreze.com/en-us/products/fabric-refresher-scent-free

I purchased a product - Febreze Fabric Free - that unexpectedly contains benzisothiazolinone (BI). The isothiazolinones are known to be potent allergens, and research has shown the benz- form of this family also has strong allergenic effects. This Febreze product is an AEROSOL! That means that people who could be allergic to benzisothiazolinone will be BREATHING THIS ALLERGENIC PRODUCT INTO THEIR LUNGS!!

Model
Febreze FABRIC Free
Serial number
N/A
Bought from
Amazon.com
Bought
Oct 19, 2024
Where
Port Townsend, Washington: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Age 61, Unspecified
The reporter’s relation to them
Self
As this report names them
Brand Febreze, made or sold by The Procter & Gamble Company
How badly, in CPSC’s words
No Incident, No Injury

The company’s comments, in its own words

(11/22/2024) The Procter & Gamble Company: Thank you for reaching out regarding Febreze. We appreciate you making us aware of your concerns regarding the ingredients in our Febreze.
We understand some consumers may have unique sensitivities to some of the ingredients used in everyday products. We’d like to assure you that our Febreze products are formulated with great care and attention to safety. Our formulations take into account our stringent internal safety standards for every ingredient. Additionally, we maintain an ongoing safety monitoring program. We strictly adhere to the safe ranges for all isothiazolinones established by regulatory authorities around the world. For more information on the use of preservatives in our products, please see: https://us.pg.com/ingredients/. You can also visit https://www.febreze.com/en-us/ingredients-safety/our-ingredients for additional helpful information.
We appreciate you reaching out regarding Febreze and wish you the best.

CPSC report 20241024-B2B0C-2147335759. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
Seen by a doctor or nurse
Made Jan 31, 2020, sent to the company Feb 25, 2020, published by CPSC Mar 17, 2020

The product, in the report: Febreeze This product is advertised to refresh fabrics. It may even claim to eliminate smells. It actually covers them up with a very strong and long lasting fragrance. It is used to freshen upholstery, or clothing so that you could wear a sweatshirt more than once for example.

Febreeze Refresher Spray
All varieties of febreeze fabric refresher cause immediate neurological responses in my body.
I get a sharp pain in my forehead that continues until I am removed from the environment where this is sprayed. Burning if there upper lip also occurs. My legs will get weak. My ability to think clearly is quickly diminished and confusion and ataxia (difficult speaking) quickly ensue. Fatigue also sets in and can last well beyond the exposure.
My chest tightens and it becomes difficult and uncomfortable to breathe normally.
Migraines can be triggered if I’m unable to remove myself from this environment.
I will react like this from other people who are wearing this product when they pass me in the grocery store, on the sidewalk, etc.
If my clothes are sprayed directly, I need to wash them 5-6 times before I can wear them again without a reaction.
I am unable to identify the exact chemicals in this product, but this product is a nightmare. Please help.
If I could just avoid this product myself, I would, but I cannot because everyone who uses it affects me as we interact in public.
I chose the approximate date when this started happening.

Model
All Varieties!
Where
Unspecified: Other
Who was involved
Age 33, Female
The reporter’s relation to them
Self
As this report names them
Brand Febreeze, made or sold by The Procter & Gamble Company
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Injury, Seen by Medical Professional

The company’s comments, in its own words

(3/4/2020) The Procter & Gamble Company: Thanks for reaching out regarding Febreze Fabric Refresher Spray. We’re so sorry to hear of this consumer’s experience and appreciate your bringing this to our attention. As a Company, we’re dedicated to making products that improve the lives of our consumers who use them and providing excellent service to all who get in touch with us. As part of standard practice, we regularly monitor the safety of our products, as well as our consumer comments about them. Please be assured these comments have been shared with the appropriate people in our company.
In addition, we know some consumers may have unique sensitivities to some of the ingredients used in every day products, including fragrances. Identifying the reasons for sensitivity to a consumer product ingredient can be difficult, so we suggest working with a physician regarding any medical concerns. Please know we also make a Febreze Fabric Free that gives consumers the same great odor elimination as our scented products but it contains no perfumes. And for consumers interested in the ingredients used in our products, we provide ingredient lists for many of our household products -- including Febreze -- that can be accessed on the following website: http://www.smartlabel.org/products Here you can find the complete list of ingredients and their function within the product.
Finally, we would appreciate the opportunity to engage further with the consumer through our Consumer Relations channels by phone toll-free at 1(800) 308-3279, between 9am and 6pm EST. Communicating with the consumer directly via phone will allow us to better understand the experience with our product.
Again, we appreciate the opportunity to address any concerns our consumers may have about our products. I hope this information provides reassurance and we thank you again for bringing this to our attention.

CPSC report 20200131-F6103-2147375112. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
Emergency room
Made Aug 28, 2017, sent to the company Sep 6, 2017, published by CPSC Sep 21, 2017

The product, in the report: Febreze Fabric Refresher in a pump bottle sprayer

I used Febreze Fabric Refresher, the variety called “Free/Nature,” in a spray bottle to clear the odor from a smelly co-worker (!!) after he left my office. I bought it specifically because of this person, who is a smoker. I sprayed it where he had been sitting and walking, then turned on a small fan and stepped out of the office for about 5 min. Came back, turned off the fan, and went back to work at my computer. Within an hour I noticed that my face was feeling numb under my right nostril. I took some [ibuprofen] in case it was a fever blister emerging, but the numbness spread to underneath the left nostril. I tested myself for stroke and assured myself that wasn’t happening. About an hour later, my entire upper lip was swollen, and I felt as if my nasal passages were becoming swollen, so I went to the emergency room (St. Anthony Healthplex North in Oklahoma City). They too evaluated me to rule out stroke, then concluded it was an allergic reaction, gave me some prednisone and a prescription for that steroid and recommended antihistamines. The Febreze is the *only* change in my use of consumer products in recent weeks, and this incident was the first time I ever used it. I can provide a photo of my lip, which was swollen 3x the normal size the morning after the exposure. The swelling and pain began to resolve after more steroids and about 24 hours after the onset of numbness and swelling.

UPC
3700085837
Bought from
Target
Bought
May 6, 2017, about then
Where
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: Other Public Property/Office
Who was involved
Age 56, Female
The reporter’s relation to them
Self
As this report names them
Brand Febreze, made or sold by The Procter & Gamble Company
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Injury, Emergency Department Treatment Received

The company’s comments, in its own words

(9/8/2017) The Procter & Gamble Company: Thanks for reaching out regarding Febreze Fabric Refresher. We’re sorry to hear of your experience. Please know nothing is more important to us than the safety of our consumers, and we take reports of this nature seriously. We would appreciate the opportunity to engage with you through our Consumer Relations channels: by phone toll-free at 800-308-3279 between 9am and 6pm EST, Monday through Friday, or via e-mail using the ‘Contact Us’ page of our Febreze website at https://www.febreze.com/en-us/contact-us Please mention reference number 04552314. Communicating directly with you will allow us to better understand your experience while using our product and to offer assistance. We know some consumers may have unique sensitivities to some of the ingredients used in every day products. Identifying the reasons for a sensitivity to a consumer product ingredient can be difficult, so we suggest working further with your health care provider regarding any medical concerns. We’d like to assure you that our Febreze products are formulated with great care and attention to safety. Our formulations take into account our stringent internal safety standards for every ingredient. Additionally, we maintain an ongoing safety monitoring program. For consumers interested in the ingredients used in our products, we provide ingredient lists for many of our household products -- including Febreze -- that can be accessed on our website: www.pgproductsafety.com The safety of the people who use our products is at the foundation of everything we do, and we regret any discomfort you experienced. We appreciate the opportunity to address any concerns consumers may have about our products and encourage you to get in touch with Febreze directly if you have any questions regarding this matter.

CPSC report 20170827-734CA-2147397844. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
Emergency room
Made Jun 13, 2016, sent to the company Jun 21, 2016, published by CPSC Jul 13, 2016

The product, in the report: Febeze fabric refresher, original scent

I used Febreze fabric refresher, original scent, to deodorize bed sheets for approximately six months. I began having respiratory problems, including bronchitis, persistent coughing, shortness of breath and panic attacks after about three months. Multiple doctor visits, a trip to the emergency room and lung and heart tests did not reveal a possible cause for my ailments. My doctor and I discussed environmental changes, and Febreze came up. I stopped using Febreze and replaced the sheets and noticed an almost immediate improvement in my health. Though I still have a little bronchial congestion, all the other symptoms have stopped. I believe Febreze, with many unlisted harmful ingredients, caused my illness.

UPC
37000197447
Bought from
Safeway, California
Bought
Dec 26, 2015
Where
Newark, California: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Age 63, Male
The reporter’s relation to them
Self
As this report names them
Brand Febreze, made or sold by The Procter & Gamble Company
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Injury, Emergency Department Treatment Received

The company’s comments, in its own words

(6/29/2016) The Procter & Gamble Company: Thanks for reaching out regarding Febreze. We’re sorry to hear of your experience. Please know nothing is more important to us than the safety of our consumers and we take reports of this nature seriously.
We understand some consumers may have unique sensitivities to substances routinely used in daily life and to fragrance in some products. Identifying the reasons for sensitivity to a consumer product can be difficult; so we’re glad you have worked with your physician regarding your medical concerns. We’d like to assure you that our Febreze products are formulated with great care and attention to safety. Our formulations take into account our stringent internal safety standards for every ingredient. Additionally, we maintain an ongoing safety monitoring program. For consumers interested in the ingredients used in our products, we provide ingredient lists for many of our household products, including Febreze Fabric Refresher, which can be accessed on our website www.pgproductsafety.com
The safety of the people who use our products is at the foundation of everything we do and we regret any discomfort you experienced. We appreciate the opportunity to address any concerns consumers may have about our products and encourage you to get in touch with us if you have any questions regarding this matter.

CPSC report 20160613-58E5B-2147417830. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
Hurt, no treatment
Made Mar 17, 2012, sent to the company Mar 26, 2012, published by CPSC Apr 16, 2012

The product, in the report: Febreze made by Procter & Gamble. I did not purchase it. The product sticks to items and is very difficult to get off (sometimes impossible).

I have noticed a number of times that when I go into a room with the smell of Febreze, my throat gets itchy or I have a heavy feeling in my chest. Recently, my com0puter bg got that product on it (by no choice of my own) and I have been having dizziness and heaviness in my chest as I sit in my apartment (I live in a studio with hardwood floors).

Bought from
I did not purchase it
Where
San Francisco, California: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Age 47, Male
The reporter’s relation to them
Self
As this report names them
Brand Febreze, made or sold by The Procter & Gamble Company
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received

The company’s comments, in its own words

(4/5/2012) The Procter & Gamble Company: At Febreze, we’re deeply committed to the health and well-being of our consumers. We’re sorry to hear of your experience, and hope you’re feeling better. Please know nothing is more important to us than the safety of our consumers and we want to assure you Febreze Fabric Refresher has been extensively evaluated to ensure it is safe when used as directed.
Determining the cause of any reaction can be very difficult, so we encourage you to consult with your physician if your symptoms do not go away or if they are severe. However, we’d like to reassure you all of our Febreze products are formulated with the greatest care and utmost attention to safety. We apply stringent internal safety standards for every ingredient.
Again, we’re really sorry to hear of this experience. We’d also like to better understand what happened, so we ask you to contact us directly by calling our Consumer Care Line at 1-866-607-5535. We appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns and hear from you soon.

CPSC report 20120317-48A33-2147469201. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov

CPSC’s disclaimer

Disclaimer: CPSC does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of the Publicly Available Consumer Product Safety Information Database on SaferProducts.gov, particularly with respect to information submitted by people outside of CPSC.

Word for word, from the disclaimer in CPSC’s export.

Sources

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, SaferProducts.gov public database export.

Released Oct 25, 2026 and checked Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.

Reports of harm are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), on SaferProducts.gov. CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record.

Febreze fabric treatment products

At a glance

By month

How badly anyone was hurt

The reports, as CPSC published them

CPSC’s disclaimer

Sources

How to read a record

Every fact names its source.

A number never stands alone.

What needs attention is marked.

The public record comes first.