Fragrance-Free Environment

We share the air as we meditate indoors together and some of our sangha members are strongly affected by fragrances. Reactions vary but may include coughing, sneezing, itching, headache, nausea, anxiety, and insomnia.

Here are some tips for becoming fragrance-free:

Avoid wearing perfumes, colognes, essential oils, aromatherapies, or fragranced deodorant, antiperspirant, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, or beauty products.
If in your everyday life you wear fragrances or use scented products for body care and laundry, please put aside clothing specifically for fragrance-free meditating. Wash those clothes in 1 cup of vinegar per load. After a few washes in vinegar, the fragrances will dissipate and your clothes will be naturally soft.
Consider buying a small supply of “fragrance-free” body and laundry products available in the natural products aisle at stores like Superstore or natural food stores. Email sagisam4@gmail.com for specific product suggestions and current locations.
Or if you are adventurous consider using vinegar and water, soda, and salt for body cleansing.
Where possible, choose a “fragrance-free” label over a “scent-free” label at the store. Some “scent-free” products contain a chemical to eliminate natural odours in the product. When able, smell a product before you buy it, even if it says “fragrance-free.”
Avoid strong-scented flowers, (e.g., Asiatic lilies), incense, and new materials indoors as they can be troublesome for fragrance sensitivities.

Further questions? Email sagisam4@gmail.com.

Thank you for your fragrance-free practice and contribution to a compassionate, safe, and inclusive environment for all.

Updated: August 8, 2025