Air Wick Class Action Says Air Freshener Doesn’t Eliminate Odors

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A proposed consumer class action lawsuit has been filed against the manufacturer of Air Wick aerosol spray, Reckitt Benckiser, over claims that the air fresheners are falsely and deceptively advertised as being able to “eliminate” odors.

Plaintiff Vintee Agrawal, a resident of New York, says she purchased cans of the “Vanilla Passion” Air Wick aerosol spray, paying approximately $1.39 per can, relying on the company’s clear promotion that the product has odor eliminating capabilities.

Specifically, the lawsuit states that Wisconsin-based Reckitt Benckiser represents that each can “eliminates odors” and “lasts up to 1 hour,” when they in fact only mask odors.

“Although defendant marketed the product as an odor eliminator, it failed to also disclose material information about the products; the fact that they could not eliminate odor but simply mask it by adding various fragrances to the products,” Agrawal alleges in the Air Wick class action lawsuit.

According to the lawsuit, the following Air Wick fragrances are “actively promoted” for their odor eliminating capabilities:

• Vanilla Passion
• Cool Linen & White Lilac
• Lavender & Chamomile
• Apple Cinnamon Medley
• Fresh Waters
• Hawaii Kaloko-Honokohau
• Magnolia & Cherry Blossom
• Cool Night Rain

Agrawal further contends that a similar product sold by the defendant’s competitor, Proctor and Gamble, also promotes and markets its Febreze Air Effects spray as an instant odor-eliminating room freshener. However, a Consumer Report test on the Febreze products revealed that the spray failed to eliminate odors, with test subjects indicating that they were able to smell the very odors that Proctor and Gamble claims Febreze eliminates.

While Agrawal is not filing suit against Proctor and Gamble, she claims similar disappointment in the lack of Air Wick sprays’ ability to remove odors.

This isn’t the first time Reckitt Benckiser has faced false advertising litigation over their products. Just last August, the company and its subsidiary Schiff Nutrition International, faced a consumer class action over its krill dietary supplement. This pending consumer class action alleges the company overstated the purported effectiveness of the product and omitted critical qualifying information regarding its health claims.

That suit, filed in California federal court, alleges that Schiff and parent company Reckitt Benckiser misled consumers on the effectiveness of its MegaRed krill oil omega 3 product in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Agrawal is seeking equitable and declaratory relief, restitution, and alternative damages, on behalf of all U.S. purchasers of Air Wick aerosol sprays who were misled by Reckitt Benckiser’s alleged deceptive marketing practices. In addition to damages, Agrawal is requesting an order requiring the defendant to cease packaging, marketing, and advertising Air Wick products with false statements regarding its odor eliminating capabilities.

The plaintiff believes there are thousands of potential Class Members as a recent survey published by Statista indicates that about 75 percent of American households use an air freshener or room deodorizer and Air Wick is reported as the second most popular brand used.

Agrawal is represented by C.K. Lee of Lee Litigation Group PLLC.

The Air Wick False Advertising Class Action Lawsuit is Agrawal v. Reckitt Benckiser LLC, Case No. 1:16-cv-02497, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.