Just put the offending smelly things in a cupboard or room you dont use & get them back out the day you leave the sit. Simple. No debate needed folks…move on!
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I agree. Good - and timely - communication of deal-breakers is crucial
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I have a note right at the top of my profile asking people not to invite me or accept my application if there are any room fragrance products or smokers in the house.
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thats it in a nutshell, humanities biggest lesson.
A very brief search shows that artificial fragrances contain VOCs. Which, by the way, are not found in the natural environment (in concentrations that are harmful). They also contain a variety of other chemicals that have been linked to things like cardiac health, lung health, and even cancer (Please see links posted above).
I agree with the conclusion that communication is the key. For instance, a homeowner may choose to smoke or not. That is something a sitter can specifically ask about before accepting a sit.
Personally, I detest the smell of chemical fragrances and seek out sits that do not have them. Even having discussed this issue at length there have been sits where there were a multitude of fragrance items were in a home. I removed the foul smelling offending items to the outdoors until I was done with the sit. I absolutely recommend taking them out of the house If you are concerned about your health.
Health concerns related to fragrances are extremely valid. Not only are they unhealthy for humans, they are unhealthy for pets (a quick search makes this abundantly clear as well). Hopefully in the future people will be more aware of this. However, people still choose to smoke, even though they know it’s unhealthy and ultimately it’s a personal choice. I hope we can continue to communicate respectfully about these issues.
With all respect, time for a fact check.
VOCs are “Volatile Organic Compounds”.
The forests are full of them. That is why a forest smells like a forest.
On hot days, that also causes a blue, smoggy haze: the terpenes and the ozon. The horror!
(Sorry to sound “dismissive” again, but the statement that there are no VOCs in nature is just not true. And if a Wunderbaum smells like forest that is because it gives off the same molecules.)
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Technically you are right, but in principal you are wrong. While formaldehyde (a VOC) exists in very small amounts in nature, it is not considered a potent carcinogen unless it is in an unnatural concentration that only exists in man made products.
I have corrected my post to be more technically accurate. Thank you.
Well, the smog of terpenes, ozone etc from the forest can exceed thresholds. In the region where I live (the woods of Southern Sweden) it is a major source of “pollution”. High ambient concentrations of monoterpenes in a Scandinavian pine forest
(Ok, you can argue that pine forests are not the natural vegetation here.)
It does not make a differences whether such molecules come from plants or whether they are industrially synthesized: Phellandrene - Wikipedia
I’ve no idea about this issue. Could it be that what can be harmful is the concentration (and possibly combinations or additions) and that high concentrations are more likely to be present in human made products? Like carbon dioxide, for example?
Just a totally unscientific and uninformed thought.
The UK seems heavily scented everywhere! Perhaps to hide the musty smell that the weather causes lol. I just put them in a room that I am not.
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You seem to miss the point.
The point of this topic is that fragranced products in homes can cause physical harm to people and animals. There are abundant studies and articles that discuss this. I note you did not respond to any of links I posted.
It seems like your objective is to condescend and argue. Seriously, Are you ok?
@Newpetlover
You aren’t suggesting that carbon dioxide is man made are you?
Just noticed this thread has been going since October 2022 with still no ‘solution’.
Personally, as has been previously mentioned, i would state it on my profile and mention on the call if i had an aversion to artificial scents in the house.
That seem the best way or this thread will be going in another 2 years.
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Since the conversation has evolved to air fresheners… Nope, heck no. But if we’re talking home fragrances like Trudon, Diptyque, Jo Malone, or Buly, I say yes please by all means! 
I have a super clean house and my fragrance isn’t there to mask anything. I met an HO who shares my love for Diptyque through THS so every time we go to housesit at her place, we bring a Diptyque candle/ diffuser as our hostess gift
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I think the point of this topic is to share views and opinions on diffuser sticks (though the debate has now evolved to include other home fragrances).
It’s not acceptable to attack and / or ridicule anyone who does not share your views. We are all entitled to our own opinions and choices, and to share those without fear of retribution.
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I hope not. I’ll have to read my post again.
What I was trying to say, unsuccessfully, it seems, is that we exhale CO2 when we breathe but the amount is not harmful for people or the planet, while the concentration of CO2 from cars and industries is too high and is harmful for both humans and the environment. I was timidly suggesting that the same could happen with terpenes and VOCs.
I might as well withdraw any suggestions before I expose the extent of my ignorance, which I admit.
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Hey CRU, I decided to add it to my sitter’s profile, and just got an ‘invitation’ (from many States away!) from a host who has similar aversions.
My intention is to travel internationally, but this sit is actually in a location and a time that truly interests me!
They started with the fact that they hate those plug-in scented things (as well as smoking homes) 
so felt we had some base in common!
As an old friend of mine would say “every pot has their lid” so I just found that it is ‘fine’ to say I hate these things (with no disrespect to others who like them!!! ). Next I’ll add: I like fresh air!
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Super excited that you found a sit. Have a nice day