Do you have pets? We do. We have five cats, a dog and a set of Goldfish.
My home, and family, would not be complete without pets. I grew up with dogs, cats, fish, hamsters, birds and even a horse (my sister had a horse). I love animals so much that I dream of having a farm or an animal rescue site.
I don’t mind the pet hair, pet dander, or the pet products (toys, beds, cat tree…) all around my home. But there is one thing that does worry me – pet odors.
A couple of years ago we had our home on the market. I was so afraid that our home smelled like we had pets – especially the kitty litter smell. I make sure to keep my home clean and tidy, but sometimes you can’t masked odors, most especially those you have gone “noseblind” to.
What is “noseblind?”
Noseblind is when your nose is so accustom to a scent/odor that you don’t even realize it.
Have you ever walked into someone’s home and notice that is has it’s own unique scent? It’s a combination of a lot of things (pets, cooking smells, people smells…). The owner might not realize their home has a scent but visitors can.
I think everyone goes noseblind to some degree. For example, I LOVE scents. I love to use scented oils, plugins, candles and the like. When I first use them I love the way they make the room, and my home, smell. But after a few days I don’t smell them anymore. They are working just as well as the first time I lit the candle or inserted the plugin – it’s just that my nose has become used to the scent that I no longer smell it. For this reason I make sure to swap out scents every few days. That way I have something pleasant to smell in my home.
When we had our home on the market I asked not only real estate agents, but also neighbors, to come into our home and tell me what they smell. My main concern was the litter box. I also worried that our furniture could harbor “wet dog” smell because our dog LOVES to rub up against the furniture dry himself off when he’s wet. Thankfully everyone told me that they couldn’t smell that we had pets at all (yeah me!). They said they wouldn’t even suspect that we had pets if it wasn’t for the big cat tree in the living room, pet beds and the litter box. Oh yeah, and two of our cats acting as the “welcoming committee” and following them around.
I take pride in my home. I try my best to keep it clean. I also use Febreze Fabric Refresher on our furniture, pet beds, bedding and even the curtains. I also use Febreze Air Effects in the air to cover other home smells. I think the Febreze has a lot to do with the fact that people who come in my home don’t smell the pet scents (and other scents) that my family has gone noseblind to.
Last month I attended an event in New York City hosted by Febreze and the ASPCA to discuss how pet owners can go noseblind to their pet’s scents/odors and what can be done about it. The celebrity guest hosts were actress Jane Lynch (Glee, 40 Year Old Virgin, Wreck-It Ralph) and Instagram star Toast (@ToastMeetsWorld). I have never heard of Toast until now. She is SO CUTE!!! I love how her little tongue sticks out.
In addition we also met some beautiful dogs that were currently available for adoption for the ASPCA. I hope by the time this post goes “live” on my site that these amazing dogs have found their “forever homes.”
The event was kicked off a year long effort between Febreze and the ASPCA to help find home for animals in need and to eliminate a significant concern that often prevents people from adopting pet – pet odors.
A recent survey found that 49% of Americans dread visiting homes with pets because of the not-so-pleasant smells. Remember, just because YOU don’t smell the pet odors doesn’t mean that your home doesn’t reap of kitty little box smells and wet dog smell.
Pet odors rank just below cigarette and garbage as the most offensive odors.
Febreze can help your home be “guest ready” with a variety of products that can quickly eliminate odors and make your guests want to visit. Some of the products Febreze offers are the Air Effects, Fabric Refresher and their Car Vent Clip. After all, pet odors can be lingering in your car too.
I’ve been using all of these Febreze products for years because I know they work well. That was proven to me when we had our home on the market and the real estate agents and potential buyers didn’t smell didn’t smell our “mini-zoo.” Not a day goes by where I don’t use a Febreze product. My cabinet is filled with Febreze products.
“I’ve always been an animal supporter and I love my dogs dearly but they can be smelly little creatures! They literally spend their days with their faces in other dogs’ behinds,” said Lynch. “While I get used to the smells from my furry four-legged friends, I don’t think my guests want to or should have to. I keep Febreze on hand to help eliminate curious pet odors from my home before opening my door to friends and family.”
I totally agree with Jane. The first thing I want guest to notice is my smiling face – not my cat’s “potty business.”
Here is what else Jane had to say about the subject of noseblindness. Please excuse the horrible quality of the video. The light was behind Jane so she came out too dark.
Febreze products work because they contain proprietary mal-odor elimination technologies, including cyclodextrin, the patented molecule that gives Febreze the ability to truly eliminate odors and replace them with a pleasant scent. In addition, Febreze products also contains pH neutralizers that adjust the pH balance and structure of pungent odors.
As part of this year long partnership with Febreze and the ASPCA, Febreze will be donating “Noseblind Prevention Kits” to pet adopters through participating ASPCA shelters across the country.
“Each year, more than 7 million cats and dogs enter shelters across the country and are in need of loving homes,” said Christina Wyman, director of strategic cause partnerships for the ASPCA. “We thank Febreze for their generous product donation to help new adopters who are welcoming a pet into their family.”
The super adorable Toast was on hand to lend her support. She approves of this wonderful partnership too. She’s so cute! I’m glad that I had the chance to meet her.
All of our pets (except one cat) we adopted from the local animal shelter. One cat was a stray kitten we took in. We would never get a pet from the pet store (with the exception of Goldfish, which we have too). As an adoptive pet mom and a huge fan of the Febreze brand I fully support their efforts.
Don’t let pet odors prevent you from adopting a wonderful pet who can bring you and your family many years of unconditional love and friendship. Keep your home and pet clean and use Febreze products to destroy the odors that can offend your guests. In additon, don’t forget about “noseblindness.” Just because YOU don’t smell your pet doesn’t mean that others can’t smell them.
For more information about the Febreze/ASPCA partnership please visit ASPCA.org/Rescue/Febreze.
Please also visit the ASPCA at ASPCA.org. You can also find them on social media.
If you would like more information about Febreze and Febreze products visit Febreze.com.
Before I left the event I had the chance to see the Febreze Noseblind “Dog Car” parked on the road in front of the building. Cool!
Do you feel like you might be noseblind to odors in your home (pet odors or otherwise)? Have you ever visited someone’s home and smelled a very offensive odor? Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences.
Kimberly
*I have partnered with Febreze to bring your this information. Although compensated the opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way. I also received free sample products.