I’m incredibly sensitive to smells, therefore, have gotten comfortable disclosing this and asking about use of “plug in” (obnoxiously scented room deodorizers) during my initial contacts with HO. Recently sat for HO who’d disclosed having them in home, and approved their (temporary) removal during my sit. When I arrived, I discovered they were practically in every room downstairs which was terrible. I removed all that I could find, placed then outside, and opened all of the windows to ventilate the room. As the weekend progressed and smell diffused, it became increasingly evident that the deodorizers were used to mask the smell of the frequent urinary “accidents” often experienced by the 2 senior dogs (which hadn’t been mentioned in the Welcome Guide or interview). 
Simply stating a fact. the smell was very very strong. I guess you would have had to experience it yourself.
I have cut flowers in vases at home often, but not strong smelling ones. TULIPS, CARNATIONS, etc
On a short sit a HO had left a huge vase of lilies (no cats in the house) in the main living area, so I moved them into a room I didn’t use, and returned them to their original location before I left. Lilies are beautiful but give me a headache.
That is not what I said. I said that a sitter asking me to move scented items was high-maintenance (in the context of the original discussion, this hypothetical request happens after the sit is confirmed).
I specifically said that I understand that allergies are real, but that “if a sitter is sensitive to something found in many homes, they should mention this in the pre-sit discussions, before a sit is confirmed.”
I feel this a lot of the time; if I tell someone I’m having a reaction to their perfume, some people can become defensive and take it personally. Sometimes I might cough a lot, other times it might cause a pain in my head. If I said I had a nut allergy people would easily accept that. Often I say I have asthma as this is more understood.
Glad you brought this up, Sakinah. I didn’t realize how toxic a house can be, but these people have artificial fragrances in their laundry detergent, cleaning products, cat litter and won’t respond to me when I broach the subject.
We don’t like them either. Always remove them.
On a fluke (was meant for something else), we started bringing a box fan and put a filter (like the kind you put on your furnace with at least a merv 13 rating) in front of it. It clears out dust, mold, smells, and more. It’s been amazing and so simple. Also, good for cleaning the air from germs like colds, flu, COVID-19, etc. Anytime we drive to a sit we bring it. You can tell a difference within 30 minutes. Also, makes the house smell really clean.
I get an instant headache from lilies. Good point
I guess they feel that it would not be easy to discuss the matter with you.
Yes! Overwhelmed by those things and the plug ins! I have a regular sit with plug ins. 1 pup has breathing issues. Im sure its connected. I unplug them. Dogs have a greater sense of smell!
But it’s their house, their pets and the way they live. Artificial fragrances & fresheners aren’t pleasant & a lot are overpowering no question, but ultimately it’s the home owner’s decision whether to use them or not. Probably a good plan going forward is to make a clear note in your profile of your allergies & also ask in all video calls what they use if it’s a deal breaker for you. #allsidescovered
Although I don’t like and don’t use these products I do think that this is within what many people like and use, what is legal and what consumer-authorities has deemed «safe». It is not my place to judge what candles, sticks and wastebags other people use.
If I have a problem with a homeowners practices that is something I should make sure to bring up, in my profile or in a talk with the host before I confirm if possible. This will give the host an opportunity to decide if they want me or another sitter - OR I can take measures myself, for instance take photos of where those items are placed, remove them during my sit and put them back before I leave. OR i can decide not to apply or to withdraw my application after a talk. Which I have. 
“Understood” = Socially acceptable.
I think you said that you were not allergic or anything like that. It is because of an opinion that you hold that industrially synthesized scents are harmful.
I would be sympathetic when a guest said that heavy scents gave them a headache. I can easily imagine that, and I would try to be accommodating. But when it comes to opinions on how things should be in a house, well, that one can only control in one’s own home. I would not appreciate any preaching about that.
When you say
"I’m not here to “debate” anyone on the validity of sensory sensitivities, nor the ignorance, discrimination and/or lack of empathy + understanding often experienced by those that experience them. 
"
- does that mean that you want to call others “ignorant”, “discriminators” and having lack of empathy without anyone saying they are not?
I just wanted to pop in to say, that we’re all in this space together to create a welcoming environment for both existing and potential members of TrustedHousesitters.
Healthy debate is encouraged, however, it does need to be a kind and respectful narrative. Thank you for taking this onboard going forward.
Yet that is what you are doing.
You are not taking my other reply into account, where I explained that I understand allergies (and I understand sensitivity to smells and other common environmental elements). My point - again - is that these sensitivites need to be addressed before confirming a sit.
Perhaps I should mention in my listing that I use scented products (cleaners, shampoo, deodorant, etc) like I mention that my house has stairs. I’m not being flippant, I really wonder if that would be better. As an able-bodied, neurotypical person, it is difficult anticipating what else might bother people - certain types of lighting? some noises? fabrics? Again, I am not being facetious. I know all of these can really trigger neurodiverse and other sensitive people.
@Garfield No, it means I’m here to provide clarification on common misconceptions made about sensory needs + sensitivities. Misconceptions that are often informed by ignorance, ableism, discrimination, lack of empathy or understanding.
@Lassie There’s a difference between Counterargument, Rebuttal (or Refutation) and Debate. Providing clarification + information is not debate, it’s providing information and clarification (which is why I made the distinction in my original response). Your choosing to disregard this distinction and name/receive my response as “debate” is a YOU problem, not a ME problem.
ig·no·rant: lacking knowledge, information, or awareness about a particular thing.
@Garfield If you are offended by my use of the word “ignorant”, and/or me categorizing the aforementioned behavior as ignorant, discriminatory, lacking empathy + understanding… that is not a ME problem, it’s a YOU problem. A problem that merits self reflection + self inquiry, not a debate (with me).
Following on from Therese’s post earlier today I just wanted to post a quick reminder about our Community Guidelines around Kindness and Respect. It’s important to remember that members will have different views and opinions but these should be discussed respectfully.
Thank you.
I’m in no way offended.
Research and studies in recent years on allergies have showned that one is more likely to experience allergies if one has not been exposed to «x». For instance are children growing up on farms with animals much less likely to get allergies related to animals. A large study over several years on infants that has recently been concluded has shown that if infants are introduced to what has typically been seen as «harmful» from an early age they are less likely to be allergic. What they did in the study was for instance to give infants from 3 months just a little taste of peanutbutter or other. (Important to say that honey should not be given to small children because it contains a bacteria called clostridium that could cause botulism. That is not intolerance to honey, it is a bacteria).
Specialists in allergies also say that many are too overprotective and can develop anxieties that will hinder them from experiencing normal life. For instance being allergic to nuts, which is usually an allergy to eating nuts, they can develop anxiety to open a bag of nuts or be anxious if a bag of nuts is opened near them. This will have a big impact on their life, and the anxiety is the cause, not «nuts». Of course in rare cases an allergy can be so serious that you can die from exposure. But mostly it is not.
The reason for getting a headache isn’t necessarily a response caused by the chemistry of the product either, it could be a psychosomatic response, for instance from anxieties. The headache in itself is of course just as painful and real, but the real cause is important to understand and prevent triggers.
So although each and one of us can have things we like or dislike, prefer etc. , get a headache from one thing and be nauseated by another it is not necessarily a factual basis for assuming that that is or should be a norm or that it is factually a «health hazard» in any way. That means that different people can and will have different practices, and that is ok and not a threat to health.
If one has a specific preference that does not allow for different practices or that one cannot adapt to (for instance by removing scent sticks) one should be clear about it from the start on arenas like THS, to ensure a good match. I have several criterias and as a result there are many sits that is not for me because of my choice of criteria. Which is ok.