A flashlight, a $4 Febreze can, and one shopper’s curiosity have ignited a conversation across social media about packaging transparency and what we’re really paying for.
When Lita (@c.litaglam) walked into Walmart last week, she didn’t expect to go viral. But a simple flashlight trick turned her ordinary shopping trip into a trending TikTok mystery.
In her now-viral video, Lita holds up two cans of Febreze Georgia Peach Orchard-scented air mist — priced at $4 each — and shines her phone’s flashlight through them. The light exposes what appears to be a shocking discovery:
“You’re paying $4 for barely half a can. Both of them, half the can,” she says in disbelief.
“Half the can. And you want me to pay all that money.”
A bold caption flashes across her video:
“They playing in y’all face and taking ya money.”
But is this really a case of misleading packaging? Or is there more to the story?
Why Do Febreze Cans Look Half Empty?
At first glance, Lita’s video might suggest a serious issue — that customers are being shortchanged. But experts and everyday consumers were quick to weigh in, offering a different explanation that may surprise you.
Unlike pump spray bottles, which rely on manual pressure, aerosol cans use pressurized gas to dispense the product. That gas takes up significant space inside the can — and it’s invisible. So when you shine a light through the aluminum, you’ll only see the liquid — not the gas.
And that gas is essential. Without it, Febreze wouldn’t spray at all.
One commenter clarified it perfectly:
“There has to be room for air pressure, which causes the can to spray.”
Another added:
“Hate to break it to y’all, but you’re paying for the ounces. The ounces on the bottle match what’s inside.”
It’s Not a Scam — It’s Science
Though the optics may be confusing, there’s no deception in the design. The listed fluid ounces reflect both the fragrance and the necessary pressurized gas, which together make up the product’s full contents.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission requires products to contain the quantity stated on the label — and so far, there’s no evidence that Febreze or Walmart are in violation of this standard.
Procter & Gamble, the maker of Febreze, did not respond to an inquiry sent Monday morning regarding the video.
Online Reactions: Consumers Speak Out
Thousands of viewers quickly defended the product, offering scientific insight in the comments and urging others not to jump to conclusions. Still, the video prompted important conversations about how little consumers often understand about product packaging.
While Lita has not responded to follow-up questions on TikTok, her post continues to circulate online, prompting others to try the flashlight test on products in their own homes.
Bottom Line
Yes, Febreze cans may look half full when backlit. But what’s really happening is a perfectly normal feature of aerosol packaging — not a ripoff. The liquid you see and the gas you don’t are both part of what makes Febreze work.
So next time you pick up a can of air freshener and wonder where the rest of it went… just remember: you’re not missing out. It’s just science at work.