27 Dec 2025 6 Smells Guests Notice When They Enter Your Home (Even if You’re Nose-Blind to Them)
You may not smell it anymore—but your guests sure do.
See the full article on Real Simple
There’s a little thing called “nose blindness,” which happens when you grow so accustomed to a specific smell (including the way your home smells) that you stop noticing it altogether. Your guests, however, experience everything with a fresh nose—and they can pick up on even the subtle scents you have no idea are floating through the air.
It’s not all bad (there’s plenty of potential for good, too), but both pleasant and not-so-pleasant smells tend to stand out. Here’s what cleaning professionals say guests may notice when they step inside your home.
Meet The Expert:
- Robin Murphy, chief cleaning officer at Maid Brigade
- Rose McCoppin, cleaning professional at The Elite Maids in Los Angeles
- Nicole Jaques, cleaning expert and founder of The House CEO
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Pet Odors
Pet odors were the most repeated item on every cleaning pro’s list of scents guests notice right away. From that “wet dog” smell to litter boxes, these scents quickly disappear in our brains but are easily picked up by guests.
“Pet-related smells such as fur, dander, and bedding tend to linger on soft surfaces,” says cleaning professional Robin Murphy of Maid Brigade. “Because the homeowner is accustomed to these scents, they may not notice them, while guests with a fresh perspective will.”
She says to wash pet bedding, vacuum carpets and upholstery, and increase ventilation. Using odor-neutralizing products on rugs or fabrics can also reduce residual pet odors.