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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think air fresheners are unpleasant?

62 replies

Panamanian · 26/05/2025 09:27

We have come away for half term and the house we are staying in has one of those plug in air-fresheners in every room. I’ve turned them off but they still smell so strong. I genuinely can’t understand how anyone thinks they smell nice. Also (and I have no evidence for this so feel free to correct me) I can’t believe it’s good for you to be breathing those chemicals every day.
AIBU - they make a home smell lovely
AINBU - they are horrible and make me feel ill.

OP posts:
Auburngal · 28/05/2025 10:07

Cynic17 · 28/05/2025 08:27

They are horrible. I don't know why people waste their money on them when opening windows is free!

There are many properties that don't have a window in their bathrooms/ensuites/downstairs loo. I don't have a window in my bathroom with the sole loo. It has an extractor fan. A quick spray of air freshener helps.

My parents' downstairs loo has no window. Told if you need to do a poo, either of the loos in the bathroom or en-suite as have a window.

HeyWiggle · 28/05/2025 08:28

They make me feel sick often. I can just about manage a quick spray of Waft in the bathroom after a number two

Cynic17 · 28/05/2025 08:27

They are horrible. I don't know why people waste their money on them when opening windows is free!

IwantmyReptv · 28/05/2025 08:25

Yanbu.
I dread to think what chemicals they are spreading in the air. They always make me think a house is dirty too.
Plain old fresh air is best.

PorgyandBess · 28/05/2025 08:22

Revolting things. They emit such a cloying, cheap and nasty smell.

I’d have to unplug them and put them in a bag outside until you leave.

Original poster
Panamanian · 28/05/2025 08:19

Glad I’m not the only one! I thought I’d removed them all but keep finding hidden ones around the house! The little plastic stand-alone ones make me gag they are so foul!

OP posts:
TheTecknician · 26/05/2025 17:46

They're OK in moderation, which my neighbour in the flat beneath fails to understand. For a few months she's been using some peculiar, strong-smelling product (I assume air freshener) in her bathroom. I can only describe it as a highly concentrated lily fragrance. Whatever it is, it's revolting and way over the top and, because my bathroom is directly above hers, finds its way into my bathroom! I have to open the windows on the communal landings when she's been using it.

I wonder what she's trying to hide?

verycloakanddaggers · 26/05/2025 12:46

They're really bad for health and are known to cause lasting damage to the central nervous system plus linked to all sorts of other serious issues.

They should be banned really.

I find it really weird people use them, especially in homes with kids.

Auburngal · 26/05/2025 12:39

Including scented candles, oil defusers, wax melts etc.

I only can tolerate certain fragrances. Most Xmas themed ones - no. Can tolerate Yankee Candles’ Christmas Morning Punch.

Cant stand Lily of the Valley or Stock flower

Had to use inhaler when customers had these flavours in their shopping

Renabrook · 26/05/2025 12:31

Can't stand them that is what opening windows is for

MerylSqueak · 26/05/2025 12:30

I hate them too. Headachy and nasty.

LogicalBlodge · 26/05/2025 12:27

Yes nightmare trigger for lung conditions.

LogicalBlodge · 26/05/2025 12:26

They are full of chemicals. I have a plastic spray bottle with a tiny drop of washing up liquid to stop the oil separating and some drops of a few essential oils. Also use soya candles.

Ddakji · 26/05/2025 12:25

In a holiday cottage I always assume they’re there to get rid of the smell of dog.

The one we go to has those scented stick things. I always put them in the outhouse for the duration of our stay.

I would feedback saying they’re overpowering.

purplecorkheart · 26/05/2025 12:24

Horrible things. We used to have them in work. Thankfully an fire safety officer was in one day and told us to remove as they are a fire hazard.

Tomnooktoldmeto · 26/05/2025 12:23

I’m a chemically sensitised asthmatic, they’re a nightmare for me as are smelly wash powders and scent boosters

It makes it so hard to go anywhere because they trigger asthma attacks. Went to IKEA the other day and they’ve now started using something too

it leaves people like me and our families very separate from society, worried every time I go anywhere

Sandy792 · 26/05/2025 12:17

Horrible toxic things.

LlynTegid · 26/05/2025 12:11

Plug in ones I agree. Spray ones may sometimes be the lesser of two evils, especially in a bathroom where it is too cold to open a window or there is not one to open.

GloriousBlue · 26/05/2025 12:06

Why anyone would choose to introduce toxins to their family like this is beyond me. Oh, and pay money for it too! Airwicks laughing all the way to the bank

Sunnyday321 · 26/05/2025 11:55

Buy some sandwich bags , unplug and put in the bags . Put back when leaving .

gamerchick · 26/05/2025 11:53

They're awful. I used to babysit for a pal and she had them. I turned them off.

Whiteflowerscreed · 26/05/2025 11:49

Horrible yuk

ChateauMargaux · 26/05/2025 11:47

Plug ins, stinky sticks and overpowering fabric conditioner all trigger my son's asthma which he never has in our house. (He is also triggered by mould and damp.)

I would love to read a paper exploring the link between these and ill health. I worry how he will cope when he goes to university as on recent uni visits, I noticed how many artificial smells there were in halls of residence.

We live rurally, in a place where these are not very common and notice these smells everywhere when we come to England. Added to the smells from vapes, I find myself scrunching my nose up everywhere and racing back to my isolated home.

Yellowpingu · 26/05/2025 11:26

They affect my breathing dreadfully. Last time we stayed in a holiday rental with them I unplugged them all and put them in a cupboard until we left.

Goalie55 · 26/05/2025 09:46

Also give me headaches. MIL had them everywhere, plus other ones dotted about. I remember her being really offended because I moved one from the bedside table to the hall. It was making me feel so ill.
I worry all the time my house smells, but I open a window instead.