Fragrance sensitive & detergent adverse - Clean linen problems?

Allison2
Level 10
Traverse City, MI

Fragrance sensitive & detergent adverse - Clean linen problems?

I've gotten two comments in private feedback about detergent/softener smell in my bedding* so wanted to check in with the collective host knowledge on this...

 

I use Arm & hammer detergent and either unscented softener or white vinegar (great for towels!) in the softener dispenser. Infrequently I'll use bleach. The sheets smell clean, not scented to me. Am I behind the times in still using fabric softener and regular detergent, or are people just being really fussy?

 

Any insight on whether this is about harsh detergents, or scent? Some of the "eco" brands seem fragrance heavy, too.

 

I have a note in my rules to let me know in advance about any allergies or fragrance sensitivities, but neither of these people gave any warning. Thanks for any advice you can offer!

 

*I had a wonderful rest full sleep. One tiny thing I noticed was your bed linin had a bit of fabric softener sent to them. I did not mind but someone who is overly sensitive to this might not have liked it. 

**Everything was great, Allison, thank you. I would say that the only suggestion I can make is that we get migraines from chemical smells like fabric softeners and laundry soaps -- so while the smell said fresh, clean bedding, it also can mean a miserable headache for some folks.

 

131 Replies 131
Branka-and-Silvia0
Level 10
Zagreb, Croatia

@Allison2 yes, people become to fussy and spoiled. Especially from some countries 

Chemical fragrance is toxic. It’s not a matter of being fussy. 

Wow... fussy and spoiled because they don’t want to sleep in a bed full of chemicals or breathe chemicals into their lungs? The fragrance is quite toxic. I would do some research and inform yourself on this topic. 

 

Also, are you insinuating that people with allergies and sensitivies are being “fussy and spoiled” when they NEED accommodations that won’t make them sick, or worse, kill them if they end up in anaphylaxis?

 

These are your GUESTS. They are PAYING you. 

 

 

https://branchbasics.com/blog/fragrance-is-the-new-secondhand-smoke/

Kim46
Level 2
North Carolina, United States

It’s not fussy. It’s a legitimate health concern.

 I’m allergic to shellfish. But I don’t expect all restaurants to be shellfish free to accommodate my allergy. I don’t go to seafood restaurants. 

It’s not the same…I can easily avoid shellfish. Trying to find an Airbnb that uses free and clear laundry detergent is now nearly impossible. Not to mention the use of Glade plug-ins or febreeze. Or one of my favorite evils, Fabuloso…since Covid, the use of scented stuff has gone through the roof. 


Airbnb needs a way for hosts to be “certified free and clear”. Then people like me can simply book one of those.  

And that would mean not even using unscented dryer sheets because it’s not the “scent” that is the problem for us…it’s the chemicals. I don’t have issues with natural smells even if I may not like them all the time. But ALL chemically boosted smells give me migraines, lung issues, eye issues and make it impossible to sleep.

 

@Brandon557

 

I agree, Brandon. 

The expanded list of filters should include a "Fragrance-free" category.

 

"Caves" and "Treehouses" must meet the preference of some guests.

Fragrance-free" would be helpful to guests who have that particular NEED. 

And, hosts who understand that need could convert an otherwise not-so-attractive place into the first choice for some of us.

 

This shouldn't be controversial.

It's not about attitude, it's about a condition that affects many people.

Citation: [Steinemann, A. International prevalence of fragrance sensitivity. Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health 12, 891–897 (2019)]

 

Meeting that need does no harm to any other guest.

If hosts offer caves and guests seek those stays, that's their business.  Right?

If hosts wish to support those who are looking for a free-and-clear space, why not provide a filter category so we can find each other on airbnb?

 

All the best — John

@Ali40   Wow, an intelligent person who takes resonsibility for themselves!   My daughter and son-in-law owned a very popular 300 seat restaurant that had an extensive seafood menu as well as many other offerings. A woman once tried to sue them (unsuccessfully) because she was deathly allergic to shellfish, told the waiter that, who said he'd make sure to tell the kitchen staff(which he did), but she went into anaphalactic shock as soon as she started to eat her dinner and had to be rushed to hospital.

How dumb or entitled does one have to be, to decide to go to a big busy restaurant that has a lot of shellfish on the menu, at dinner hour when they are rushing around trying to serve everyone, if you could DIE if a utensil that touched a piece of shellfish happened to graze your plate in the kitchen?

Victoria567
Level 10
Scotland, United Kingdom

As a host I’d want to know is it a concern, an actual medical condition that could cause anaphylactic shock, an entitlement, or a fad?

 

Actually I would prefer the concerned guest looked elsewhere for their specialist needs and does not chose accommodation in my family home!

 

Valerie27
Level 5
Victoria, Canada

Alison, you are going overboard (in a kind way!) to ask people if they have fragrances sensitivies! That's something I might do. If your guests don't respond, then you should be free to point out to them that you asked specifically because you cared. If you don't ask, I believe you will find that a small percentage of guests will notice and say something. Truthfully I think those with sensitivities must take responsibility and ask these questions. Its not your responsibility, though your kindness will certainly attract them to your Airbnb! 

 

But I also wanted to share... I am responding as a person with allergies to fragrance—for me, a physical condition. Its not that I don't like perfumes but rather I can't tolerate them. If exposed for more than a few minutes I will most likely have an instant migraine, body ache, fatigue, nausea and any combination of them.

 

My partner wore fragrance before we met. then quit abruptly. He is highly sensitive to fragrance now. Fragrances contain chemicals, some of which "fix" natural fragrances with chemical compounds to make the scent endure. Canadians studies show that 16% of the population have significant sensitivities to fragrance and its growing.


In our Airbnb, we use our "disadvantage" to our advantage by promoting that we are a fragrance-free environment. We supply scent-free soap, expensive scent-free bodywash, shampoo and conditioner, and laundry soap. One can find fragrance free soaps without palm oil (another story) for almost every product now including fabric softener. You have to smell for yourself, Alison, as sometimes they say "natural fragrance" and this means a naturally sourced scent. Vinegar should be no problem at all. ]

 

Approx. 20% our guests have mentioned sensitivities. Inevitably, and we are experiencing this right now, some people are accustomed to fragrance and may not fully understand the impact it has on us. Our solution: Say nothing, they will leave soon OR we want to remind you about one of our house rules, one that we are sorry we have. Our guests would never intend to do us harm... we know this so we are kind. When they leave,  we open windows for as long as possible, wash sheets 4 times/open air dry, use vinegar and baking soda cleaners only. We have very few guests who wear fragrance. Most don't seem to fully read our rules (probably too long and wordy like this post) or they just don't use scents. Perhaps also here in North America because the use of fragrance is being forbidden in hospitals and offices so people are wearing less. 

 

Alison, I'd say that its great that your guests are sharing information with you in such a kind way. You must be a very welcoming host! All the best to you.

 

 

Thank you for your post. I'm an MCS person looking for a fragrance free airbnb but with no filters to accomodate me. I've managed to find two hosts that were very gracious and willing to answer my questions before renting their place. Both worked out for me and they left me good views and vice versa.

But I could tell that my questions up front took them back or by surprise and as an MCS person I don't know how to communicate my needs or concerns in a way that doesn't scare a potential host from renting to me.

I usually ask what laundry detergent they use and what cleaners. The answer to that question pretty much will tell me if the place will work. If scented products have been used, then washing a scented linen in fragrance-free detergents is not going to remove the smell, even though they've been kind enough to offer. It's hard to explain to people who don't have this sensitivity how it works and that I am the best person to determine if their place will work for me.

 

I so appreciate your post and would like to ask if you know of a way to find other Airbnb like yours that accommodate folks like me. If only hosts understood that folks like us are their best client because we can't stay in hotels then more hosts might be willing to totally switch to all fragrance-free products. At least then they would have more potential customers.

 

I've enjoyed the 2 Airbnb that I've stayed in but it was a lengthy question and answer process before I determined that both host and customer would have a happy ending, and that's exactly what happened. I will use them again, but looking to visit other places, too.

Claire: would you mind explaining more about the scents not being removed in a wash??? So if I use scented detergents and then wash the linens with non-scented detergent, there will still be residues?

Valerie, even though my listing is designated as fragrance free, we recently had a guest that perfume bombed one of our bedrooms and I cannot use it. We have washed everything in the roomBut

Claire372
Level 5
Conroe, TX

I am a person sensitive to fragrance and cannot tolerate scented linens, towels, etc...  All Free & Clear is the laundry liquid  I use. You can buy it in large quantity at Sam's Club. Many people cannot tolerate any time of fabric softener, even unscented ones. I'm one of those people, too. There is a very good reason to change to all unscented products because people with a fragrance allergy often have trouble staying in hotels because of the scents and cleaners. Airbnb has opened new doors for people such as myself but it's been difficult to find hosts who have a fragrance free policy because there are no filters for it. However, in spite of that, I've managed to find a couple by asking questions and discovering they had no chemical or fragrances policies and it worked out beautifully for both of us.

There is not plus side to using fragrances as it limits 20% of the population that have a condition like mine. It makes sense to go totally fragrance free across the board in cleaners, personal care products, and laundry.

Deborah287
Level 2
Buchanan, MI

First of all thank you for caring and switching to fragrance-free detergent.  As others have commented, for many people fragrances are a real health issue. I am one of those people. I can no longer find a safe hotel to stay in but recently was able to find a fairly safe Airbnb.  How happy and grateful I was that the host was willing to change a few  things for our stay. 

 

Even so I usually bring my own bedding and linens if they have ever been washed in a detergent with fragrances or had dryer sheets or softeners used on them.  The problem is real and it affects more people than you know. There are a lot of us who would love to have somewhere to stay.  Thank you for your effort!! You will find that there will be many who appreciate it!