Incense for someone who doesn't like it.

[CarolinaWeeper]

So full disclosure, I'm worried that our house smells. To me it smells of wet dog even though we have the windows open frequently. Our bathroom is also unfortunately located near our front door and I'm really paranoid that after someone has a number 2 in there then I'll have to answer the door to someone and the smell is obvious.

We've used air fresheners up til now but I hate the smell. I'd like to use incense as I really like it and feel it would mask smells better and is more natural than febreeze etc. DH is convinced incense just smells of smoke. Does anyone have any recommendations for good brands that I can try and persuade him with? Or any other bright ideas!

How about a diffuser with essential oils? Smells very natural and not as overpowering/smoky as insence.

Satya Sai Baba Nag Champa is an all-round lovely incense - most people like it. More expensive would be The Mother's India range - most of those are beautiful.

Ensure bathroom window opens or good ventilation. Make everyone use toilet cleaner after they use it. Or put a blue block in the cistern.

I don't think incense is that great for your lungs. It's kind of just polluting your home.

I would go with more open windows and an oil diffuser. Incense just smells like you’re a 15 year old trying to hide the cannabis smell. Also bad for your lungs.

Do you have carpeting? That would be the first thing to get rid of. It traps odours like mad. Incense is awful. Smells like weed smoking stoners live there.

Diffuser definitely - one of those ones with the sticks that soak up the oils. Incense is basically smoke and would be overpowering imo especially somewhere like a small loo.

I would keep the window open and the door shut. Do you have a dog? I wonder if your upholstery needs a good refresh?

Windows open. Adding fake smells to bad smells doesn’t work.

Yes we do have a dog....and carpets so that is probably that issue. In terms of the loo I'd leave the window open more but it's right by our front door which makes me paranoid. I hadn't even considered the health aspect of using incense, I will look into oil diffusers/burners.

Going against the grain here, I live in an old rented house with old carpets and I can definitely smell the old, musty smell. I've tried candles, plug ins, reed diffusers and everything in between and the only smell that lingers (in a good way) is incense sticks. I buy the rose ones from Poundland, they aren't smoky at all but leave an underlying smell which is actually quite natural and not chemically like diffusers or plug ins.

It would be far more effective to replace, remove or steam clean the carpets and give the place a good scrub.

If you're looking for a quicker fix then get a massive tub of bicarbobate of soda, leave for a while (keep the dog off) then hoover. Can do the same for sofas.

Agree re airing - leave the windows open for a good couple of hours daily. Can you find things to do that allow you to be close enough to assuage your security fears?

Before using anything I would give all the soft furnishings a proper clean - that includes things like sofas, cushion covers and curtains. Dry everything out and air the whole house from top to bottom.

We have four animals and have the windows open for at least an hour a day and more while we're out. Vacuum twice a day and steam clean carpets etc. once a month too.

Pointless unless you deal with the source of the smell. Clean the carpets and install an opening limiter on the toilet window, flush immediately then wipe, wash your hands while the cistern fills, flush again, squirt bleach or duck and shut the bathroom door after you.

I don't have a dog, but use Buddhas blessing incense in the house just to add a nice smell..... admittedly I am an old hippy though! I light one and then walk it all round the house before leaving it in the front room. The smell lingers very gently.

Insense is horrendous and Smokey (sorry!)

Use bicarb on soft furnishings/carpet to neutralise and wash all removable coverings then go for essential oil diffuser

We have throws we wash weekly and a special conditioner and shampoo to keep our dog smelling less like feet and cabbage fresh.
Our house smells normal (I think)

If you want to get rid of the smell then you need to get rid of the dog. Houses with dogs always smell of dog to some degree, steaming/bicarbing carpets is a very temporary fix.

@cactusisblooming

If you want to get rid of the smell then you need to get rid of the dog. Houses with dogs always smell of dog to some degree, steaming/bicarbing carpets is a very temporary fix.

Yeah, just get rid of the dog...job done

A well ventillated home doesn’t smell bad.

A smelly home with a lit candle/diffuser/plug in etc is a bit like teenage boys with bad BO trying to hide it with lynx.

A clean house shouldn’t smell unless you have a plumbing problem, damp or dry rot.

Oil diffusers are good, but be careful; some essential oils are toxic to animals. You could use them in areas the dog doesn't enter, but check on-line for a list of safe ones.

I have the same problem with a wet smelly dog. I have found the best thing so far is a salt lamp... the heat it gives off when lit means that any essential oils dripped on it smell beautiful and you only need a couple of drops. I spray room sprays on them as well and keep them on 24 hours

shit that was tongue in cheek, responding to a pp saying to remove the source of the smell.

Our house smells much better for getting rid of the carpets. And it’s much quicker to clean.

I know this is an unpopular opinion on MN but a toilet brush might help - if you can train all members of the household in its complex operation. Poo smells don’t linger long unless there aren’t traces left behind.

I can’t bear incense so really can’t help there.