I hate them. Thankfully we don’t find them in too many sits.
I detest diffuser sticks. It’s not something I bring up before a sit, but as soon as I move into a housesit with these, I move them either outside, or into the garage, or into a cupboard that we’ll never use and set myself a reminder to move them back when I leave. The smell actually leaves the house quite quickly once they’ve been removed, within 12-36 hours.
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If someone is as sensitive as @Jomox27 is, the discussion should happen before the sit is confirmed. As a HO, I would be annoyed if I went through a video chat, tour of my house, confirmed the sitter and only later have them ask me about something very important to them.
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Totally fine. I didn’t really think putting some diffuser sticks away and not buying fresh flowers would be an inconvenience to most HOs but noted. @Jomox27 advice from @Lassie as above.
I take ear plugs with me as there often unexpected sounds that want to disrupt my sleep!
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The last 3 sits I’ve had, I haven’t had a video chat. It’s interesting why that information would bother you after the call? I often don’t think about it until I’m face to face with an irritant. I do think I need to have a conversation about it though because the other thing that keeps happening is that a HO will buy in bread and milk for me, which is a waste as I don’t consume either.
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If there are any smelly yuks in the home when I arrive, I simply put them out where I can’t smell them then put back the day the homeowners return. Voila! Problem solved 
The HO probably loves them so it’s not my place to pass comment or ask for them to be removed when I can so easily just move them myself. No animal has been harmed in the making of this statement 
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I have only one diffuser jar and no plug-in air fresheners. However, I imagine that if any of those scents bother someone a lot, they might not want them in the house for even a few days before the sit starts. What if I planned to paint a room just before the sit start, and the paint fumes were an irritant to a sitter? I’d want to know that before choosing a sitter.
I’m not especially attached to my diffuser and it wouldn’t bother me to put it away for a sitter. However, some HOs might be irritated at being asked to remove items that they enjoy.
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It’s not just diffusers/plug-ins……a few days ago a neighbour gave me a bunch of lilies (I no longer have cats so this is ok on the pet front) to enjoy/look after while he is away - they are as bad as diffusers/plug ins - even with the lilies shut away in the utility room I’ve been having the whackiest dreams (like I used to have when a house share burned joss sticks).
I’m so glad that the only flowers that I’ve been left on sits have been tulips!
@DianeS are you sure it’s the Lillies giving you the whackiest dreams and not some “other” plant in with the Lillies? 
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no it’s just the lilies
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I’ve had terrible issues with scented candles and Febreze air fresheners and Febreze infused trash bags and chemical fragrance that the owner put in the cat litter. All this kind of stuff is very toxic to everybody, but some people are more sensitive… Such as folks with chemical sensitivities, or allergies, or asthma. It can make people really sick. Makes me crazy how unaware people are about this issue… I always talk to the owners before I agree to sit about this issue because it’s very serious for me. I also have to screen for toxic fragrance in laundry soap that people use for their linens.
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I think lillies smell horrible and I do not want them around me ever as pretty as they are.
I just searched on the word FLOWERS to see if this topic had come up before, and I see it has.
I am on day 1 of a 5 day sit, not aware of any allergies, but I know Lilies give me a headache.
In my room the owners have kindly left a small vase of pretty Sweet Peas. As soon as I came into the room, I was aware of the overpowering smell of flowers. Once I found them, I moved them out onto the landing, where they will stay until I leave.
Maybe if any home owners are reading this, just a tip, don’t leave any strong smelling items in the sitters personal room, however well intentioned?
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And you are complaining 
Not impolite at all. Those things are terrible for pets, I don’t use them. I also limit scented candles for the same reason.
If I did use them I would not be offended if a sitter asked me to remove them.
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Good idea to move the flowers if they are causing you a problem @RedLassie .
We have really appreciated the cut flowers on our sits . To us that shows thoughtfulness , hospitality and a nice welcome from the owners ( including sweet peas on our current sit)
However I do understand that some sitters may suffer from allergies ( such as hay fever or other )
If this is the case it would be best that the sitter informs the homeowner before the start of the sit.
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I agree. I’m far more aware of the toxicity in some of these products now than I ever used to be. My skin is quite sensitive so recently, I started taking my own soap as well as buying some laundry sheets that are very light and portable from a local business near me to take with me on sits. That way, I don’t end up using the HO’s laundry capsules/washing powder and it’s far less harsh on chemicals.
I used to love a scented candle years ago but they can be incredibly overpowering and I do have concerns about exactly what’s in them.
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Is it not partially due to the simple fact that so many people don’t open windows any more?
Our windows are open most of the time in Summer and for shorter times in the Winter just to freshen the air.
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@Lassie I’m sorry you feel that sensitivity to smell is “a little high maintenance”…
Sensory sensitivity, including sensitivity to smells, can be influenced by various factors such as:
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Sensory Processing Disorder: Common among individuals who are neurodivergent.
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Chronic Stress or Trauma: Past experiences can heighten sensory responses.
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Hormonal Changes: Such as those occurring during menopause.
Additionally, recent research indicates that many air fresheners and diffusers can be harmful to both human and animal health, adding a valid health concern to sensory sensitivities.
Misperceptions about sensory sensitivities can lead to fear of discrimination and reluctance to disclose these sensitivities. It’s important to create an understanding and supportive environment where individuals feel safe discussing their needs without being labeled as “high maintenance.”
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