Elizabeth Atkinson

I have a gripe to pick

Just back from a lovely walk deep in the Maine Woods, enjoying the rich earthy aromas of a January thaw, when I was accosted by the sickeningly sweet artificial odor of a dryer sheet.

Who knows from where it wafted – not a house in sight – but somehow those little cloth fabric softeners contain the long-range odoriferous qualities of a Yankee Candle Shop.

I have a problem in general with the over-scenting of society.

Not only does it cause a host of ill effects from nasal allergies to irritating skin conditions to pounding head aches, but we’ve literally become desensitized to (even repelled by) natural odors – the ones we’re supposed to like! I for one would choose to hang out at a doggy daycare on a rainy day over a hair salon. (How do people work in those places or Yankee Candle for that matter?)

While I’m the first one to enjoy a spritz of perfume or a lightly fragrant body lotion, in general our family uses unscented products whenever possible, such as laundry detergents, deodorants, household cleaners, and the occasional unscented dryer sheet (but only when washing socks in winter).

So pleeeeez, let’s keep the great outdoors a…….