Homedics BRT-150 Brethe Air Revitalizer
July 20, 2009 by Cheryl
Filed under Aromatherapy Product Reviews
This air revitalizer neutralizes up to 99% of odor causing bacteria and removes odors caused by pets, smoke and other odor causing bacteria. The unique vortex cleaning action uses an intense “rainforest” mist to wash incoming air with an emulsified botanical solution. This 100% natural botanical solution comes with a choice of 3- 2.03 fluid ounce scents. Refreshing citrus, energizing lime and soothing vanilla. No bacteria filled wicks or filters are required and the air revitalizer (more…)
It works - I’m not sure why, but it does. The water will even appear dirty when you empty it. And it looks cool. The problems are…
- it’s loud. not really loud, but somewhere between my computer and my dishwasher.
- the smell is too powerful when you first fill it and fades after just a few hours.
- it’ll help oders for up to 24 hours. You have to dump and refill it (water + a few drops of the scent) every day and rinse every few days.
If the price of the unit and scent accessories was lower I would have given five stars.
The supplied scents do a good job of ‘freshening’ (actually scenting) the air throughout most of my 1500 square foot house.
The fan noise is noticeable, I usually run it five or ten minutes at a time to achieve the same effect as spraying an aerosol air freshener. The blue lights in the tank are good for a ‘mood’ effect and can be switched off if desired. If you just want to ‘tune out’ for a few, this thing is excellent. My spouse smokes cigarettes several times a day and the BRT-150 does a good job of covering up the odor from a cigarette.
I would not say that this unit is a humidifier. It will run for three or four hours continuously and maybe only use a cup of water. I would also not call this unit an air cleaner as such. It is an effective air freshener. The air coming out just smells and feels good.
I, honestly, purchased the BRT-150 so that I could disburse essential oils without having to use heat, nebulizers just seem way too strange and complicated to me.
My wife thought the citrus scent was a little overpowering so I experimented a little and came up with a fairly good recipe for using essential (fragrance) oils. My recipe will only freshen up the air in the room it is in, not the whole house (I don’t know how they get that strong of a scent from the supplied material).
I borrowed/modified this from a perfumers recipe for making a spray-able air freshener with essential oils.
1/4 teaspoon Polysorbate 80 (an emulsifier derived from natural oils). You can get this from a soap maker’s supply store.
30-60 drops essential oils, some oils are stronger, experiment for the best amount for your choice. I used 30 drops of pine needle oil and that worked fine for me.
1 tablespoon of cheap vodka (for low smell alcohol). This is optional but I found the oil’s scent was more intense with it.
Mix the ingredients with a few ounces of water and add to the water to the freshener’s filled tank. You will see the familiar white bloom in the water as you add this mixture.
Have fun!
Ken
This unit does exactly what it says it will (+ humidifies), tho I use essential oils (as suggested by another reviewer) in mine instead of the not to pleasant smelling to my nose (plus expensive) scents Homedics sells … In Autumn to Thanksgiving I use Clove, Cinnamon, Orange and Pumpkin Spice oils and the aroma is great … I used Black Spruce oil during the Christmas holidays (3 drops in this unit will make your home smell like Canadian Balsam) … The only drawback is the loudness of the motor (which is conciderably louder than a computer), but it does the job and so I’ll keep it … Oh, and it’s also suggested that you use distilled water (not hard tap water) which is not mentioned in the commmercials … (***ADDED NOTES: Tho essential oils provide a nicer room aroma, the dark oils (such as clove, cinnamom, etc) will chemically react to plastic resevoir and irrevocably mar/stain it … If you don’t care like me it’s fine, if you do don’t use them … I also use fragrance oils as well and those (you can get from craft or dollar stores) used in soap stone warmers work also … Liquid Smoke (from the grocery store) can be used in it also if you have a Gas Fireplace and you want a smokey smell).
3.0 out of 5 stars
Smells good, but poor construction
The scents are pleasant, and the Revitalizer worked well initially. The plastic base has gotten multiple hairline cracks so water leaks out of it now.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Works great but smells funny
The concept is wonderful and I really like the added feature of the blue light, but all of the scents smell like Pine-Sol.
4.0 out of 5 stars
I’m glad I own this Air Revitalizer
I was hesitant about purchasing this product due to the negative reviews but I am glad I decided to take the plunge.
5.0 out of 5 stars
great product
this product works great I run it usually all the time, as I have asthma. Everything went great with this purchase!! thanks
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great machine, a little pricey.
I have two of these machines; one I bought at a retail store, one I found at Goodwill. Both work very well with no leaking.
1.0 out of 5 stars
Poor quality construction
This thing works. I don’t know how or why, but it works.
Sadly, the construction of it is LOUSY. I had it for 3 months.
2.0 out of 5 stars
WOW! WHERE DO I BEGIN??
Borrowed this from my girlfriend to see how it worked, she doesn’t like it, but I tried to keep an open mind.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Works pretty well.
I have owned this machine for about six weeks and have to say that I am very pleased with it. I am a smoker and I have a cat and this machine is great for removing the odors…
1.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointed
I made my purchase 3 months ago. When it worked it performed well…
A week ago I cleaned and refilled the system and it would not turn on and has not worked in over a…
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great product
This is the best product for making your house smell nice. I Love it! I fryed Fish and we all know how Fish smells.