Keep Odors at Bay in Your Home

Special memories can be triggered by lots of different things -- something you see, a sound, and especially a smell. Odor-related memories are among the most powerful, often without our even realizing it, according to Dr. Rachel Herz, visiting professor of psychology at Brown University and leading expert on the psychology of smell.

A memory triggered by a scent is more emotionally intense and can bring you back to a particular time and place more profoundly than any other type of memory, she states. “You smell the scent of apple pie and find yourself visiting your grandmother after school when you were 10. The fragrance of special flowers like roses or freesia can generate memories of a walk long ago with a treasured friend or parent in a garden. These are special and memorable for all the right reasons… and they make us feel good, often without our even being aware of it.”

Scent-related memories can be positive or negative and can generate strong emotional responses that affect our mood and overall well-being, according to Dr. Herz’s studies. “A scent associated with a good experience can elicit a rush of contentment, put us in a good mood and make us feel happy. One associated with a bad memory can be distasteful, may make us feel irritated, uncomfortable in our surroundings or unhappy. Often we are not even aware of this sensory dynamic, but it plays a key role in our daily lives. This can also be a factor in our sense of well-being. Anyone who has ever taken a dog to the veterinarian’s office can attest to the fact that the dog smells the environment and immediately associates it with unpleasant events. We do the same thing at dentist’s or physician’s offices, or in hospital settings.”

In a home, the most positive scent is fresh and clean, with a hint of baking in certain zones, like the kitchen or dining room. Dr. Herz points out that we may be barely detecting these scents, but their effects are positive. ”Often we don’t even consciously register these scents, but they can elevate your mood and provide a sense of pride and comfort,” she says. And, of course, they help make a good impression on visitors, as well.

Such positive scents are often hard to come by at home because of the potential for harsh cooking odors, such as fish, Brussels sprouts, or many ethnic favorites, as well as pet odors and even dampness. Restoring an interior “fragrance equilibrium” often takes some resourcefulness, especially when it’s not possible to just open doors and windows and air out the house.

One solution that many homemakers and realtors agree can make a huge difference is a fragrance delivery system that actually removes the offending odor, rather than just masking it. The latest way to solve home odor issues is to use new special odor-absorbing gels. These unique, easy-to-use products stay on the job for up to 90 days, keeping any area of your home smelling fresh and clean. They are ideal for the kitchen, nursery, bathroom, litter box areas or even the basement for long-lasting odor removal. Odor-absorbing gels such as the Natural Magic brand offer an array of gentle, memory-friendly scents like citrus, lavender, ocean, pine and cinnamon and are available at major home improvement and mass merchandise retailers, drug, grocery and hardware stores.