NOT using Downy Unstoppables or Glade plug in scent products

[Joyce529]

I am concerned that so many Airbnbs use scented laundry products.   

One of my selling points is that we offer a non-toxic environment, using only naturally and lightly scented natural products but mostly unscented, especially linens.   Guests are thrilled with this.   If the space seems to need a pick me up, I run an essential oil atomizer with just peppermint oil.  

I stayed at a lovely studio  last week and ended up having swollen, itchy eyes that lasted for 3 days.  The host used Downy Unstoppables scent product.   I looked it up on EWG (Environmental Working Group) and it scores an F.  That means it's as toxic as it gets!  The same is true for liquid fabric softeners----a known high allergen, though unscented and natural versions ARE available.

Scented candles and plug in scent things are high allergen as well and considered especially toxic to children.

The real question is----do we even like the scents?   Most people don't want to come into a heavy scented environment. 

I recommend researching the products you use.  EWG. org is an excellent site.  

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

Guests are thrilled with this. ...

I don't know if guests are thrilled with this or anything anymore.... we don't use any scented product at all and nobody ever mentioned it

a few weeks ago it was a thread with the same topic and many comments

[Joyce529]

I've had many people say they really appreciate our awareness of sensitivities---maybe point it out in your description!😃

[David10432]

Smart idea. A lot of us look for that. I wish it was a filter.

[Trayce0]

I have the same troubles when I travel, particularly microfiber sheets and polyester blankets make me sweat like crazy, and heavy, unnatural scents give me allergy problems. Since I rent out the guest room in my own home, of course I don't have anything like that in there, and I definitely point that out on my listing. I feel the description attracts people with like minds. I've never had anyone complain about a lack of scent or an uncomfortable bed. 🙂 If you're looking at a listing and it doesn't state those things, you can always ask the host before booking. No shame in that!

[Oomesh-Kumarsingh0]

A scent is like a double-edged sword. It can be fabulous for some and leave amazing memories but on the other hand it can also be a real nightmare for others. Same for perfumes. 

[Huma0]

I've personally never had a guest (out of the hundreds that I hosted) mention having any kind of allergy or sensitivity to fragrance, nor experienced one having any kind of reaction to my place. It might be because I try to discourage people who are allergic to cats from booking. Is it common for people with fragrance sensitivities to also have cat allergies? I don't know. Anyway, I have still had guests who are allergic to kitties book my listing and none of them had issues with fragrance.

The only guest who ever mentioned fragrance did so in a positive way, i.e. she said she really liked coming home to a room that smelt so nice, and I personally like home scents and am a bit addicted to scented candles and oil diffusers.

However, it would be great to use more non-toxic, environmentally friendly alternatives. I use distilled white wine vinegar, baking soda and citric acid for a lot of cleaning tasks, but my cleaners seem to prefer the hardcore stuff. I often buy 'eco' cleaning products, but these are usually still scented. I have banned the cleaners from using bleach, but that took quite a lot of convincing! I have heard that white wine vinegar is a good fabric softener, but I'm worried it will make the laundry smell like a fish and chip shop...

What are the safer/non-toxic alternatives to standard home fragrance? I believe soy candles are supposed to be less toxic than the beeswax ones? Or is that just more eco friendly? 

[David10432]

Guests won't complain becuase we don't want a poor rating. I know hundreds of people in my circle that hate the artificial scents and the fact that they impact their health. A lot of us wonder why hosts want to make us sicker. Most people don't realize its the scents that made them ill. Its not an allergy, is a toxic chemical reaction that is stronger in some than others. 

[Stacey413]

FYI I use 1/2C white vinegar (or 1/4 because sheets washed so often) in the rinse cycle of every laundry load of sheets and towels for our cabin. This keeps them soft but does NOT add or change the scent of our sheets at all -- they smell fresh, but not "scented." 

[David10432]

I also have allergies to scents as do many of my friends. we never say anything to the hosts because we don't want to get a bad customer rating. Its too bad these managers do not realize they could do better if they would just not use scented stuff.