Resources, reprints, take-aways

The inclusive and sensitive mission described below is a model we would love to replicate, and spread to the communities we live in. As you read the answers to the questions below please consider taking personal steps to become Fragrance Free.

The following document comes directly from the Fragrance Free page at EBMC East Bay Meditation Center  in Oakland, California. The Questions and Answers to "Why be Frangrance Free?" and " How to Be Fragrance Free?" are posted in its entirety. 

Link to the EBMC "Fragrance Free at EBMC" page for more resources for being Fragrance Free.

Thank you to all who contributed to the creation of this very valuable resource. *

WHY BE FRAGRANCE FREE?

Part of EBMC's mission is that we are rooted in diversity and committed to building inclusive community. This is an ongoing invitation to a practice of openness, compassion and constant learning.

An increasing number of people in our community are harmed by a variety of common chemicals and fragrances -- due to allergies, asthma or other chemical sensitivity, they may have difficulty breathing, migraine headaches, flu-like symptoms and more. When we come to EBMC having used products on our bodies or clothing that include fragrances or chemicals, those who are allergic or sensitive are faced with the choice to stay and get sick or leave and be excluded.

Please practice with this awareness at EBMC, and help us make EBMC accessible to all by coming to EBMC fragrance free. May we all be healthy and free from harm.

HOW TO BE FRAGRANCE FREE?

Important things do:

• Wear clothes laundered in fragrance-free laundry detergent
• Avoid laundry softeners such as “Bounce.”
• Use fragrance-free soap, shampoo and hair products
• Use fragrance-free lotion
• Avoid cologne, aftershave lotion, and perfume
• Read the ingredient labels on all products used on your body or clothing
• Test each product with your nose or ask a friend with a good sense of smell. Many products are mistakenly marked “unscented” or “fragrance-free” (but actually contain masking scents that can be very harmful).
• Don’t be afraid to trust your naturally occurring pheromones rather than using added-on scents!

For more information about being fragrance free, please read the articles and resources linked in the right-side column of this page.

(PARTIAL) LIST OF FRAGRANCE-FREE PRODUCTS

GO TO THE EBMC WEBSITE FOR THESE PRODUCTS.

Please note that many products are made by manufacturers who also make scented products. Be sure to buy the unscented or fragrance-free variety!

An excellent all-around product for use in washing body, hands, hand wash laundry and housecleaning is Dr Bronner's Organic Pure-Castille Liquid Soap - Unscented. It's very concentrated and only a small amount is used by diluting it in water. This is one of the soaps used at EBMC.

* Much of this knowledge was gathered from resources created and compiled by others, including Dana Lion, Peggy Munson, Alice Kosten, and Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha. Special thanks to them! This is a living document and contributions are always welcome.