Renuzit Crystal Elements [air freshening crystals] Review

Overall 2.12 of 5 view all 8 reviews

Meri
Upstate, NY

Just say NO to Renuzit Crystal Elements...

a Homemaker

Pros

nice scent in the bag

Cons

choking hazard, toxic, doesn't work well, messy

MAR

2009

The concept intrigued me. Crystals that I could put in a glass dish of my choosing; that would freshen the air in my home, hmmm. This was something new. I picked up the Renuzit Crystal Elements package to read more. It says it should last up to 45 days and the level of fragrance could be adjusted for the size and needs of the room. Since I was wanting it for a small downstairs 1/2 bath, I was sold.

The product came with two options. One was to buy a combo kit that contained a glass container with a few crystals. The other option was a refill pack that came with greater quantity but no glass container for the same price. I chose the refill pack. I have plenty of glass.

It also came in two fragrances and colors: red Ruby Berries or green Emerald Rainforest. They are both Christmas colors. I chose red hoping it would blend somehow.

I got home, found a pretty cut glass dish in the cupboard and opened the package. The smell was delightful. The "crystals" were a mess. They were quite wet with a red dye liquid that I am assuming also holds the fragrance. (The red liquid dries on the salt crystals as they air dry.) I hoped I wasn't going to ruin my shirt with the dye, took a deep breath and poured them into the dish. "It wasn't as pretty as I had imagined but it would do." I thought. "At least the bathroom will smell nice."

I waited. Did I mention I waited? and, waited. Each time I went in to the bathroom I was expecting a lovely fragrance. It wasn't there. Before adding more crystals [I really think I had plenty for that small of a room] I wondered what would happen if I shut the door. I left it that way overnight. The next morning I opened the door expecting a blast of red berry fragrance. I believe I detected a brief whiff of fragrance as the door opened. It was there but, then, poof! it was gone. Since then, I have detected a few more brief whiffs of fragrance. They are scattered and don't last long. I was hoping for more from an air freshener.

Bottom Line:

I won't be buying these again.

Post Script Safety Concern:
I wondered if a child would be tempted to try and eat these. They look like little candies sitting in the dish. Children? My husband might try to eat these!

The packaging clearly states that it should not be ingested and to keep out of reach of children and pets. It says to seek medical advice if swallowed. Better safe than sorry, I say. Just don't set them out.

Ingredients:
Natural sea salt, fragrance, thickener, surfactant, light stabilizer, colorants.

Post Script:

To be fair, another package yielded better results. The second package was not wet and gloppy. The fragrance lasted longer but I am still not a fan.

Last edited on Oct 23, 2009

Renuzit Crystal Elements [air freshening crystals] is not recommended by Meri

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Comments about Meri’s Review

I saw them on clearance at Target recently.

I think you got a bad batch. I purchased these last night and put on of the refill bags of crystals in a margarita glass and set it on top of my entertainment center and instantly it made the whole house smell like berries. I have a 1300 sqft house so... When I opened my bedroom door this morning which is on the opposite side of the house the smell was so intense that I could literally taste it! I am actually hoping the smell would die down here in the next few days because it is so strong. I do wish they had something lighter like fresh linens or something because the berries are super fruity.

My Mom just bought the green one for me because she says my apartment smells "musty". I does smell pretty good. We'll see how it works. I live alone so I don't have the concerns that others have regarding children. That's a good point though. I didn't consider that.

In response to Tiff1203's comment from Jun 9, 2009 at 6:02PM:

Too funny!
The good news is that they aren't supposed to be toxic. [if that is any consolation]

I just bought these also. Not sure how I feel about them but honest to goodness my husband just walked in the room as I was researching reviews and tried a piece. He thought they were rock candy. He reports they "taste terrible".

I bought the green one three days ago and as soon as I opened it the aroma hit me. It was to strong so I split it between two rooms. I must say I can still smell it and it smells great.

In response to bkeeney's comment from Apr 8, 2009 at 6:34PM:

I liked the B&BW wall scents as well, but, I read someplace that they could catch on fire so I quit using them.

I have tried the pearl scents. I thought they were pretty but they didn't last very long. [I actually still have some in my bathroom. ] They aren't doing much but they are nice to look at.

The best air freshener I have found are the Renuzit cones. They last a long time- I just tuck them behind the trash basket. The scents aren't overbearing and they aren't expensive.

Everyone has different tastes though. Good luck in your pursuit of a good air freshener.

In response to Meri's comment from Apr 7, 2009 at 5:05PM:

I don't blame you. Renuzit's other product, Pearl Scents, works pretty good - http://renuzit.com/products/fresh-lavender-pearl-scents/ It seems to last a long time too, just a different look from Crystal Elements. What other air-freshener products to you use? I'm always open to trying other ones. I used to use wall scents from Bath and Body works, but those are pretty expensive and stuck out too far from the wall. They smelled pretty good though, and seemed to last a while.

In response to bkeeney's comment from Apr 7, 2009 at 4:02PM:

I am glad that you are enjoying your crystals. They just didn't cut the mustard here and I am not going to buy another package to see if mine was the only wet one with little long lasting fragrance.

I too bought crystal elements, and didn't have any of the same issues. The product wasn't wet and the raspberry scent has been going strong for about a month! while it's true, they sort of look like candy, the same can be said for the colorized, decorative rocks/marbles etc. that I have in my general home decor. I think this product looks really pretty, and so far works really well. It looks good up on my bathroom shelf.

I was going to buy these and I immediately thought of their candy appearance to my son. Needless to say I didn't buy them, but now I am really glad I didn't buy them, since they don't work very well.

thank you for mentioning children!!! This product looks dangerous. good review!

WOW....I WAS going to try these......my wallet thanks you for the warning!

In response to Meri's comment from Apr 1, 2009 at 9:20PM:

HAHAHA! Now I'm going to smile even harder when I see that commercial for the crystals the next time! You're right, they DO look like candy! That's funny about what your brother did -- I guess it is true that that which doesn't kill us makes us stronger!

This sounds like such a great concept. What a let down!

In response to AnnaBanana's comment from Apr 1, 2009 at 1:20PM:

They do smell really good in the bag. I will have to give them credit for that.
Back in the 70s I had made decoupaged bread rolls [it was all the rage]. I had just finished them and hadn't had time to put away the little bowl of Mod Podge when my brother came in, dipped one of my rolls in the "sauce" and took a huge bite before I could stop him! I just know these are a repeat in the making... ;-)

In response to Meri's comment from Apr 1, 2009 at 12:42PM:

I thought of you today, Meri! I saw a television commercial for this and I had to smile -- they were using those red crystals and saying how wonderful they smelled and perky, happy music was playing in the background. Honest to God, and thank Him for ViewPoints where we get the REAL scoop!

In response to AnnaBanana's comment from Apr 1, 2009 at 8:16AM:

Great minds think alike!

There's a big movement out there to get these discontinued due to their design and their "candy" nature. Though you would think parents would think about that, the commercial shows them in a family home at kids reach... lovely. It's almost nice to hear that these didn't work for you. Thanks for the info.

In response to Jo's comment from Mar 31, 2009 at 5:36PM:

Oh my GOD -- great minds work in the same way! It wasn't until after I left MY heads-up message that I saw yours, Jo! Isn't that strange? Except for one word, we left identical messages for Meri!