Air Wick air freshener

Air Wick was originally founded in the United States in 1943 by Guy Paschal. It quickly gained popularity as one of the first consumer products dedicated specifically to home air care and odor elimination. By the early 1950s, the brand had expanded its reach to international markets, including Europe, Canada, and Australia. Over the decades, the brand underwent several ownership changes, being held by the Swiss firm Ciba-Geigy for a period before being acquired by the British multinational Reckitt (formerly Reckitt Benckiser) in 1984.

In a major strategic shift in mid-2025, Reckitt reached an agreement to sell its "Essential Home" division, which includes Air Wick, to the private equity firm Advent International. Under this arrangement, Advent International became the majority owner and ultimate parent company, while Reckitt retained a 30% minority stake to participate in future value growth. Today, Air Wick products are manufactured in multiple locations worldwide, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, China, Mexico, and Hungary, to support its distribution in over 80 countries.