Light-hearted! Anyone noticed how posh people's homes smell really nice inside? Not perfume, just generally. What is it?

[localnotail]

This, basically! Something I've been wondering idly for a long time, since I was a kid. I remember going to my wealthy middle class friend's houses and wondering how they smell so nice - I cant explain it, general very nice, clean, warm smell, like maybe so many nice new thing? Like maybe you get inside an expensive furniture store, plus something else I cant quite explain. But its definitely there! I can always tell if someone "posh" or not (in my head) depending on how their house smells. I never mentioned this to anyone up until now as I think its a bit weird, sniffing around people's homes ))

I would add that I have been to posh homes - mainly big old houses - that totally stank of cat wee, mouldy dust and boiled veg, but its still different somehow, still mixed up with that nice affluent smell. The smell is also there even if the house is filled with old tat or ordinary IKEA furniture. Also, when I say "posh" - I mean middle class, kind of very comfortable wealthy lifestyle but not aristocracy, obv.

So would like to know if I'm a bit mental or is there anyone else who noticed that? What is it? Your thoughts ))

@LaChienneDesFromages

I'm with her on that! Filthy foul air and zero window opens.

Op I was in a posh home yesterday with lots of posh reed diffuser smells.

Lots. And from a posh place.

I was also wondering what the Christmas boiling for smalls is eg cinnamon, orange...

I was at my friend's the other day, he's posh. His smelt of real wood fire, dogs and just generally clean there were also fresh flowers. I have a feeling windows get opened too.

They also live in the country which helps.

Lolling at hormones!

@Cosywintertime what is the anti back spray please

I use this, I know it’s for duvets, but I use it on all soft furnishings every few days,, not actually quilts. It doesn’t actually smell of anything, not like fabreze, more if anything am alcohol smell, which dissipates fairly immediately. But it does the job well. I haven’t tried it on silk, but use it on cotton, velvet and the sofa.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09JKYGN97/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I think it’s when the home is warm and dry, cleaned regularly but with more natural smelling cleaning products. Windows opened so not stuffy, and cooking smells removed. No lingering smells of frying or similar. Houses where they have a boot room or utility where smelly shoes are kept out the way etc!
i have a few diffusers and do burn candles at times but don’t use sprays or plug ins as I don’t think they smell very natural.

I’ve had comments that my house smells really nice. Not sure if this helps to get an idea of what I might be doing because I don’t know 🤷‍♀️ However, I’ve got no pets, don’t allow crockery to sit around unwashed, loos are always flushed and cleaned regularly, I’ve got Reed diffusers and candles, I regularly open the windows to get in fresh air even in winter and I declutter regularly.

I've received the Reed diffuser juice recommended on here. My it smells lovely. I do like lavender

Which did you get?

@Cosywintertime thank you ☺️

A friend's house smelled of Jo Maloñe diffusers.

"WAX LYRICAL Reed Diffuser Refill 200ml English Lavender, Multicolor : Amazon.co.uk: Home & Kitchen" https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0843CF8YM?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

This one

Its fresh flowers, maybe bit of furniture polish, also cooking / candles/ real fire & dog.

It is not plugin air freshener or washing powder.

I am not posh but I moved into a new build house in May. I bought all new high end furniture when I moved (literally everything was new cutlery, crockery, beds, bedding everything)

my mum says it’s still smells ‘new’, the smell that I can always smell (which I think is the one she describes carpets, wood etc and one that I don’t actually like) is the spray they used on the new couches to sofa guard it, so it used to be called scotch guard years ago they call it sofa guard now, it’s really strong and hasn’t gone away yet

maybe thats what you are smelling it’s a really strong smell

I know exactly the smell you mean -- it's very penetrating and definitely not the smell posters are thinking of. I think that the lingering smell of new carpets and sofas is why so many showhouses for newbuild estates rely heavily on artificial scents, to cover it up.

I'm middle class, not "posh" and also very attuned to smells! My house smells the way the OP describes because I could not bear to live in a house that smells of anything in particular.

Timber framed, self built 8 years ago, wooden floors and doors, no carpets, ventilation system which means the air is circulated more often and produces less dust, lots of soft furnishings, log-burning stove, well insulated so no damp or heating smells. I don't have a cleaner and I hate cleaning! Occasionally dust with a neutral wax polish. Diffuser reeds in the downstairs loo in a homemade ginger/lemon oil. No fabric softener ever, and very neutral (Ecover or similar) laundry liquid and washing up liquid. Bleach occasionally, and basic apple-scented kitchen cleaner. No deep frying. Lots of strong spices/herbs/garlic used in my open-plan kitchen but the ventilation system filters it outside really quickly. No air fresheners ever! Shoes kept in unheated porch so they never smell. No pets. Lots and lots of green plants (foliage-type) which has made quite a difference to the air. Occasional sea-salt candles (Lidl!!) My own perfume (Coco), and son's Penhaligon aftershave, (which I actually hate 🤣 )

Basically - good ventilation, natural materials, no artificial scents, and nothing wet and dirty lying around (men, children, dogs!)

@PaintAngst i think it smells like glue 🤣🤣 my mum loves the smell of it but it gives me a fuzzy head. I thought it might of gone after a few months but I am over 7 months in and it’s as strong as ever.

Saw this last night and thought of this thread 😂

Thanks - I've just ordered this.

there's 15% off first order if you go to the store rather than Amazon, and shipping is free.

<excited>

Seconded!

It's lovely. They didn't have any the last time I needed it and I had to settle for Wild Rhubarb or similar - not nearly as nice.

I always get told my house smells nice despite having pets.
I always have plug in diffusers around the house. Various scented candles and inscense sticks (both expensive and cheap) plug random sprays around the house.
i think regular cleaning helps too and when cooking I keep the doors closed between rooms. I also have a sense and spray at the doors as you enter so as I open the door it’s sprayed so welcoming as people walk in.

I love the smell of houses with natural oak wood floors, panelling or beams especially in summer when warmed up.Also love the smell of wood fires as makes whole house smell lovely. Fresh lilies and hyacinths bliss. Also laundry dried outside and natural fibres and materials. Beeswax polish on wooden furniture. Agree so much with fresh air through house each day and have always tried to do this.

Worst smells are stale rancid fat after frying or in grill pans, ovens and fake air fresheners like they have in hotel rooms, stale washing, pets.

Some posh people's homes smell or dogs and horses.

This thread has inspired me to clean the kitchen. But my house will not smell properly nice until I ditch the hideous carpet, which I will do in the new year.

Yes - I told Lord Viper that a polo pony flap in the back door was a bad idea, but would he listen . . .