to not understand why people spend money to pollute their homes with pointless chemicals?

[tomorrowisanotherdate]

scent boosters, to go in laundry, air fresheners that squirt puffs of pollutants at you - the tv is full of adverts for these things, so presumably someone is buying them. I just don't get it though. Loading your family's home atmosphere with a load of unnecessary and unpleasant air pollutants, and paying for the privilege? Why?

'Anything artificial that mimics what is natural'.
Again, natural isn't always better and synthetic isn't always worse! Concentration matters too.
(Call me smug if you like but if you're scientifically trained it's hard to ignore false/inaccurate info. People in other professions feel the same).

To paraphrase the eternal Billie Piper: ‘Because they want to!’.

And that’s it really.

💯

people just need to wash and clean properly (themselves, clothes, houses) and open windows for fresh air

I can’t tolerate all those smells as they make me feel sick. If I go into someone’s house with them I literally have to leave, the same with fabric conditioner, scented candles and even some perfume and aftershave. I never used to be like this and I don’t know why I am so sensitive to the smells but there seems to be a lot more about. I don’t mind natural oils at all so it must be an artificial ingredient I’m reacting to but don’t know what it is.

I've always had a sensitive nose but it's getting even more sensitive as I age!

@mathanxiety

Wow ! Do you work in the science field? Thanks for the info, it's frightening. I have carpets which are 20 years old and some new laminate, I suppose laminate is just as bad, hardly a natural fibre.

You too? It’s horrible, isn’t it? I’ve got no idea why and would love to know.

I know. I've been playing Mumsnet bingo with it, and was waiting for 'more money than sense' to come up.
I wasn't disappointed

Lavender oil is made of chemicals. Everything is made of chemicals. You are made of chemicals.

YANBU in regards to stuff like plug in scents and aerosol room fresheners.
They absolutely stink, all they do is mask smells as well.
They're so cloying
Get the windows all thrown open and let fresh air in, best way in my opinion!

My older sister gets them plug in's then can't understand why my daughter has cluster seizures at her house. She also uses candles which I've told her is another trigger. But oh no I don't know what I'm talking about. Strange how when I take her outside the seizures stop. Them plug in's also give me an irritating cough.

I'm with you @tomorrowisanotherdate and don't buy any of that crap. Chanel Coco Eau de Parfum, yes, - Febreze, no.

I'm with you OP. I will use high quality real essential oils, but try to to keep the nasty stuff out as much as possible.

I don't use candles or scented things as have a dog and not good for them. I usually leave my back door open and let in lots of fresh air. I just add softner to washing but nothing else as cannot be good all those other things added to washing. Do have an air freshner in the bathroom to spray if need to.

But not if you have cats.

I don't but I have dogs. I have a chart up on my wall that lists ones that are and aren't safe for dogs.

Tbh I feel the same with music and art - life is about sensing as little as possible

I sort of agree and disagree. I like some music, and some art.
But offer me free tickets to Glastonbury in a Premier Luxe Bell tent with luscious furnishings and and a flushing toilet I'd say no. Ta very much but still no.

I like music, but not standing in either a sea of mud, or a blazing sun.

Who knows why they do it?

I'm with you, OP. I hate strongly scented washing powder, don't use fabric conditioner, can't stand scented candles or those nasty plug-in deodoriser things or air fresheners. I only use unscented antiperspirant. Artificially scented stuff irritates my nose and makes me sneeze.

My idea of fresh-smelling is to open a window, in fact all the windows, whatever the weather.

I do, however, love perfume, and have a huge collection. I do spray sparingly, though.

to not understand why people spend money to pollute their homes with pointless chemicals?

Because of very very successful advertising campaigns over the years. Many people have been convinced to think these are life necessities now

Not really the point, but for those who have issues with some of these things triggering asthma etc, I recently discovered that there is paint available that doesn’t contain the VOCs that make fresh paint smell bad and trigger breathing issues for some of us. Was really handy.

What is a puff air freshener? A diffuser? I love aromatherapy. I don't like lavender but I use other essential oils.

Everything is a chemical. Aromatherapy isn't exactly dangerous though.

I won't have that crap in the house. But I do like a bouquet of coriander/mint/lemon balm and rosemary on the table.

Perfectly said!

Air fresheners contain do contain toxic chemicals. Yes, water is a chemical compound, but it’s not toxic.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2023/02/22/air-freshener-indoor-air-quality/#

Well we’re all going to die from something. We may as well smell nice.
I have a wood burner so I’m already doomed!