Please stop Febreezing everything

[Helenahandkart]

Every time I buy something from eBay it stinks. The item itself stinks. The packaging stinks.
If it stank of dog hair or mould or something natural then I could clean it, but no, everything stinks of Febreeze or Zoflora or one of those awful odour remover sprays.
It makes me feel sick, and it’s impossible to get rid of. If I can’t put it in the washing machine I have to put the offending item in the garage for months and hope that the smell will eventually dissipate. I bought some secondhand boots today and now the whole house smells of Febreeze, despite me immediately taking all the packaging out to the bin and putting the boots in the garage.
Please stop covering everything with revolting chemicals. It’s so unnecessary.

Totally agree with you OP
I regularly buy second hand clothes for environmental reasons but they now always stink of industrial strength conditioner. Didn't know it was febreze

Second had boots 🤢🤮🤢🤮

I volunteer in a charity shop and regularly have sneezing fits when I open bags of clothes - some of the washing powders and strong fabric conditioners get right up my nose.

Easy to get the smell out of clothes though, just wash and stick outside on a windy day.

@Aquamarine1029
I tried newspaper but it didn’t work for me. Charcoal is my only success story.
@SmellyWellyWoo
Why not second hand boots? I’ve been wearing second hand clothes and shoes for 50 years with no issues at all (until the recent onslaught of Febreeze anyway). I’ve even bought secondhand knickers from a jumble sale (they were particularly amazing). I don’t really understand the revulsion about secondhand.

@SarahAndQuack

Thinking about it, I reckon people have forgotten how some things are supposed to smell. I get the impression people think a smell is indicative of an item that is either dirty, or needs to be thrown away because it is rotting. I used to work with old manuscripts, which are made of parchment which is basically animal skin, and of course they do smell, a bit like the way leather smells. You wouldn't drench them in Febreeze! But I've been in charity shops looking at old leather wallets or bags, and they've usually been sprayed with something to take away that very same 'leather' smell.

I do agree with this partly. People have been conned into thinking that the strong fabric conditioner or febreze type smell equals cleanliness.

We don't Febreze anything at the charity shop where I volunteer. Most stuff is clean when donated, people buying clothes are going to take htem straight home and chuck in the machine anyway.

What a load of entiltied bs 🤣

Both have been washed several times and aired outside, yet still both items stink

I think you need a new washing machine. If it cannot remove a squirt of febreeze, what about bacteria?

@Blossom64265 no flak from me!

Tbh I try to go bricks and mortar just so I can check stuff first and so its hung out and offgassed a bit. But it's not always possible like in your case. Socks arriving perfumed is absolutely mental.

I had to leave a party after an hour a couple of weeks ago because the hosts had a plug in spray. Gave me a raging headache. It was such a shame as I was enjoying myself other than that.

I know I sound like a moany precious tosser and I swear I'm not, I just have an insanely acute sense of smell and certain things give me headaches. I'd really prefer it not to be the case.

@Fayekrista

What a load of entiltied bs 🤣

I don't think you know what "entitled" means.

@Scianel
I don’t think you sound moany or precious at all. The world is becoming ever more perfumed and so many people have terrible allergies and reactions to artificial fragrances.

@SmellyWellyWoo

Second had boots 🤢🤮🤢🤮

I love buying second hand shoes. Got some cracking boots recently, barely used, for a fifth of what they would have been new. No additional landfill and no additional animals killed. Winner on all levels.

@WetLookKnitwear

So that’s what that smell is!

Everything I buy from eBay has the same smell, I wondered why everyone used the same fabric softener 🤣 so it's probably febreeze.

@SmellyWellyWoo

Second had boots 🤢🤮🤢🤮

Why not? It's cheaper and saves unwanted items going to landfill.

I have a friend that Febreezes EVERYTHING, EVERY DAY. Can't stand it. Luckily I don't see her often or go to her house, it's too much.

so glad to see this thread.
I can't be near any artificial scented items without getting ill.
I didn't know why so many recent bought items on eBay were "perfumed." none were clothes. Even a vintage fountain pens was reeking of perfume.

I also become ill and these are toxins that people are using in their homes. Affecting their children and pets.
It really is not a healthy habit.

Oh OP I couldn't agree more! I also can't stand going to someone's house she not being able to breathe the whole time because of overzealous air freshener and scented candle use.

I also think it's grim and tbh antisocial and obnoxious when people perfume themselves to the extent that they can be smelled from a distance. Unless I'm hugging you I shouldn't be able to smell you!

What's wrong with people and things just smelling of themselves anyway?!

I love these threads about sented washing powder & fabric softener. Mumsnet should have a new tag line ' home of the most sensitive noses in the world'

@Cinnabomb

I agree. I can’t believe people actually use such scented wash powders and lenor 🤢 they are so vile

And scent enhancers on top of the washing detergent and lenor!

@goldfinchfan

so glad to see this thread. I can't be near any artificial scented items without getting ill. I didn't know why so many recent bought items on eBay were "perfumed." none were clothes. Even a vintage fountain pens was reeking of perfume.

I also become ill and these are toxins that people are using in their homes. Affecting their children and pets.
It really is not a healthy habit.

No it’s not healthy. It’s indoor pollution.

I'm with you, OP. It's one of the reasons I don't buy second hand clothes. I cannot bear the smell of Febreeze or any strongly fragranced laundry detergent, and don't get me started on fabric conditioner and home air fresheners. Just horrible, unnecessary chemical smells.

Totally agree OP. I find most of these smells repulsive - I'm not allergic to them, just really dislike them.

Only on MN do you see people being so dramatic and having such violent reactions over fabric softener/frebreeze/air freshener.. Do you not wear perfume or deodorant, use skincare products/bubble bath/shower gel, use products to clean your home?

The smell won't last forever, leave them by an open window or something.

I love fabric softener, but the scent only sticks around for a couple of wears.

I love a bit of fabric conditioner myself.

My stepchildren’s mother used very strong scented washing powder or conditioner and I really disliked the smell of their clothes . I really struggle with artificial “smells” MIL has those bloody awful air fresheners that squirt you all the time !

I know it's not the point of post but can you tell me exactly what you do to get rid of musty smells in vintage stuff please?