Scented detergents

[Christine2783]

I am laying in a bed that is making me sick to my stomach because of the excessively odorous detergent the host used.

It is too late at night to disturb them.

What should I do tomorrow??

[Johanna394]

Mention it to the host in calm, polite manner, and ask if something could perhaps be done to an issue? That would be my first step to hopefully get it solved

@Christine2783 

[Christine2783]

Thanks

[Helen427]

@Christine2783May I ask which brand and smell it is?
The new Dynamo laundry liquid for removing odours works wonders for removing stains etc but is a killer smell if one doesn't leave one's washing out on the line in the sunshine for at least 4 hours.

[Helen350]

@Christine2783 Be a good, polite guest and don't mention it. I'm sure the host acted in good faith, and is not intending to poison guests. And I'm sure the products are approved for the purpose.

If you don't like the smell of the sheets, that's your problem, not the host's. What can she do? She can hardly go & buy new sheets in the middle of the night, nor run a set through the washer/dryer cycle which would take 2 hours.

Stop fretting, grin & bear it, & please don't tank your host's reviews for something which is your problem, not hers. - Remember Airbnbs are ordinary homes, not hotels!

[Christine2783]

I found a can of febreze in the bathroom, I took it outside and sprayed a little - it was this febreze in the bed! - it was on the sheets, blanket and mattress cover and less so around the head board and wall behind. 
It overwhelmed my entire olfactory system and burned my eyes. 
I have traveled all over the world for decades and have never had a problem with odorous beds before this. 
I do not think this is my problem. I do not think febreze should be used  in bedding, 

[Helen350]

@Christine2783 Ah, OK, You have a point there, NOT  good to spray bedding with febreze or similar. (Perhaps she hadn't washed it?)

[Sarah4581]

Same thing happened to me the other week at an abnb rental.  It was so horrible!  I'm still recovering from body rash & scabs. 😕  febreze is a nightmare. 

[Stacey413]

You're absolutely right. New menace besides scented febreze is Downy Scent Beads. 

[Christine2783]

She asked why I didn’t contact them last night and I told her I thought it was too late. She said I should have, that they stay up late. 
None of the linen in airbnbs or hundreds of hostels, hotels and people’s homes I’ve stayed in have ever, ever been so strongly odorous. Turns out it was febreze. I found a can in the bath, it is exactly the same odor. 

[Kia272]

@Christine2783  I totally feel for you! I would absolutely mention it to your host in the morning. I don't know how long your stay is, but perhaps they could provide you with sheets washed in a "free and clear" detergent, or clean sheets re-washed without detergent- for the duration of your stay. 

Scented products are all over the marketplace, and hosts need to realize that not everybody likes them. When one is in the hospitality industry and catering to a very broad market, thought needs to be applied to things like this. I am a host and I make a point of using products with no scent, specifically for this reason. I actually explain this in my house manual, so folks who do like fragrances can be assured that their sheets and towels are still clean. 

I hope you won't hit your host's ratings about this, IF they provide a timely response to your concern, but it is certainly fair to mention it in your review, as it lets other guests who may be sensitive to fragrances know that the property might not be a good fit. 

I hope you get this resolved with your host in a pleasant and responsible way! 

Kia

[Stacey413]

Good tip. I'm going to add a note to our listing that we go for neutral scent -- that laundry is squeaky clean but not enhanced with chemical scents. As for asking for scent-free sheets, if they use it on other linens, I know it doesn't wash out. Even wiping self dry with towels transferred the chemical scent to my skin. Ugh! Thanks

[Kia272]

@Stacey413  This is what I have in my house manual, if it helps:

Laundry and cleaning- ** We use unscented laundry products

We try to use natural and organic cleaning products whenever we can. We also make an effort to use unscented products, including our laundry products. Your towels and sheets will of course be freshly laundered, but they won’t smell like “mountain breeze” or “ocean fresh” because not everybody can tolerate scents. 

[Stacey413]

Wonderful. Thanks so much! Lucky for us, I can tell them to simply go outside to smell the "mountain breeze" 🙂 

[Emilia42]

Many questions here like: are you staying for much longer? Is there a washing machine available? Is the host local to the area? What kind of immediate action to do expect?

I would definitely let the host know that you found the scent unbearable and that future guests may benefit from an unscented detergent. Mention this either in the message thread or private feedback when completing the review. But keep in mind that these are personal homes and there is a learning curve for many hosts. I don't think hosts should be "penalized" for using a laundry detergent they have probably been using for a decade.