NEW YORK — Everyone loves a sincere compliment that raises their spirits. But which is the best one to give? It turns out that Americans love knowing their home is clean when guests come over. A new poll reveals that 43 percent of Americans say one of the best home compliments they can receive is “Your home smells so good!”
The survey of 2,000 adults looked at how home fragrances play a role in cleaning routines and found that 55 percent say that the way a home smells is even more important than how it looks. Some of the other home-related compliments people would love to receive include hearing that their space has a good vibe (37%) and that it looks clean (52%).
For many, the work of the cleaning process is worth it, as nearly nine in 10 respondents say that nothing feels as good as relaxing in a clean home (88%).
The survey, conducted by OnePoll for home fragrance brand Air Wick, found that 53 percent of respondents feel making their home smell good is part of the standard cleaning process, while another 40 percent revere this as “the cherry on top/finishing touch” of their cleaning routine. Despite Americans loving to smell and feel their home is clean, 38 percent admit they haven’t started cleaning for the spring season yet.
“The perfect way to top off your spring-cleaning routine is by incorporating your signature scent into your home,” says Julia Mellberg, marketing director of Air Wick, in a statement. “Nature-inspired fragrances with essential oils are the best way to transform your living spaces and add a fresh, finishing touch to your spring-cleaning routine.”
Further, 61 percent shared they won’t be fully relaxed until they take care of all their spring cleaning — and it’ll come down to the wire for the 14 percent who believe that they won’t finish cleaning until the end of May.
According to respondents, the most common signs that your home needs a good cleaning are when there’s visible dust (57%) or when it starts to “feel” unclean (48%). Similarly, 46 percent say they feel the need to clean when their home doesn’t smell fresh.
These feelings are also amplified when having guests over, as the top worries Americans have when they’re hosting are making sure their home is clean (55%), smells good (48%), and is comfortable for their guests (35%). Nearly half of those surveyed admit that they’ve judged someone else based on how their home smells (44%), which may be why a similar percentage are worried about others judging them on their home’s freshness (43%).
On average, Americans start feeling nervous about half an hour before guests arrive. Therefore, hosts prioritize clearing visible clutter (44%), making sure their home smells good (39%), and wiping down countertops and surfaces (22%) before their friends arrive.
To help set the atmosphere and ensure their home smells as nice as possible, nearly six in 10 (57%) plug in an air freshener, while 48 percent light candles and 19 percent use air diffusers.
When everything is finally clean and fresh-smelling, those surveyed feel relaxed (64%), peaceful (57%), and refreshed (57%). Interestingly, that’s exactly how they want guests to see them.
Based on how their home smells, Americans shared that they want to be seen as warm (51%) or cheerful (26%). For some, this vibe comes across with the “signature smell” of their home (32%), with “fresh flowers,” “strawberries and bananas,” “after the rain,” and “bread baking” as signature scents in the average home.
One in seven respondents want the smell of their home to give off “care-free” vibes, and another 12 percent want to come off as “unique.” To help them achieve this, Americans want their home to smell like fresh laundry/linen (33%), ocean breeze (33%), lavender (30%), vanilla (30%), and lemon or citrus (22%).
“Since 80 percent of respondents prioritize long-lasting fragrance, we understand the need for a variety of scents that last to match your own personal preferences,” Mellberg adds. “The fragrance you add to your home, whether you prefer floral lavender or tropical citrus, has the power to influence and uplift everyone who enters. Choosing a signature Air fragrance gives your space an extra dash of vibrancy every day and elevates your overall home experience.”
Survey methodology:
This random double-opt-in survey of 2,000 general population Americans was commissioned by Air Wick between March 21 and March 25, 2024. It was conducted by market research company OnePoll, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society and have corporate membership to the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).
